Brucke Hostel & Cafe Arima Kobe

We stopped by for coffee and breakfast. There were varied, good breakfast options, and the coffee was espresso-based. The spot is really nice, right at the edge of the bridge. You can pay with a card from a foreign bank.

The food is German, and the customer service didn't feel especially Japanese either. I was given the wrong information about parking and ended up paying double what I'd been told. When I raised it with one of the owners the next morning, she asked, “is it okay?” I said it was what it was. She then offered me a coffee to go, which I took as a kind offer, but after loading my car and coming back, she charged me for a really bad americano. Weird experience. If you need a cheap stay and aren't driving, it's fine. The top bunks have plenty of sitting room, but the restrooms are shared with the coffee shop customers.

I had a great stay. There was lots of privacy for a dormitory, and the bed was wide with a curtain. The shared space has a fridge, microwave, kettle, and hair dryer. The host was very friendly and helpful, and each morning I woke up to a lovely coffee smell. A tip for getting to Brucke: take the Arima line bus from JR takarazuka station instead of the Kobe Dentetsu train to Arima Onsen station, which means walking uphill. The bus comes about every 2 hours. Get off at higashi arima onsen stop, then it's a 7-minute walk, flat or downhill. A stretch of about 100 metres may be dark at night, but it's safe. Turn on your phone torch so cars can see you. The rest of the route is fully lit by carpark lights. When you leave, Arima Onsen Dentetsu station is downhill too.

We were looking for breakfast and asked the hotel about it. They said the restaurant wasn't open, so we sat in the lobby to look for other options. Then the gentleman at the desk came over to say the restaurant was open and ready for us. The owner greeted us warmly and let us know some items weren't available that morning. That was fine, and we ordered. Everything was so good that my kids ordered second meals. As we paid and thanked her on the way out, she apologized that the menu wasn't “full.” She'd actually been closed until the hotel called to ask if she could serve us. We're so grateful for all she did. I don't know many places that offer that level of service anymore. Thank you so much!