Kobe

Pros

• Kobe and Sapporo are probably the best cities outside of the "big 3"
• A day trip to Himeji and Kobe is a great day or even just Kobe - pretty unique and not crowded and filled with tourists mostly.
• Trade Hiroshima/Miyajima for either Nara, or Himeji/Kobe. Much more doable.
• I’d probably lean toward Kobe for more variety. It adds a different side of Japan with the port, waterfront views and a more modern atmosphere. I’d visit in the afternoon and stay until evening. The harbour area is especially beautiful a...
• took a local train to Kobe to try some food there. I didn't plan to go to Kobe at all, but glad I did, food was incredible. I may come back and dedicate a large portion of my trip to just Kobe again. I loved it here.

Cons

• Skip Kobe. You can get Kobe beef anywhere and it’s not worth going all the way to for that and the park. It’s a cool city but not worth the day trip imo.
• I would only keep Kobe on November 26 if you have a specific dinner or night view in mind; otherwise it may feel like a lot of travel for a short evening.
• Would also suggest to skip on Kobe. We liked the matsusaka beef more as it had the same quality and was a bit less pricey.
• Honestly, the activities in Kobe sound kinda meh. Both Yokohama's Chinatown and waterfront are way better and bigger, and you can get Kobe beef anywhere in Japan. I'd recommend visiting Kobe for Mt. Rokko, the Herb Gardens, the ropeway,...