We're planning a trip to Japan in the fall focusing on gardens and street food. One night in Tokyo on arrival, probably at the IHG Strings Hotel at Shinagawa, just because it's easy to get to and it's on the way. Maybe 4 nights in Osaka for street food and viewing the fabulous looking gardens The Banking Scot previewed on his trip reports, staying at the Ritz or similar. Then a couple of nights in Kobe to visit the Herb Garden and as a base to visit the Korakuen garden and Kurashiki.

Problem is, I haven't found a hotel in Kobe that really floats my boat, but Kobe seems a better possibility than staying in Okayama where, again, nothing stands out to me. Anyone know of an especially nice hotel, maybe with an onsen, in Kobe within reasonable distance (short taxi ride) of the train station?

For information, from Kobe we'll move on to an Art Island cruise on the floating ryokan Guntu for 3 nights, then back to Atami for the plum garden festival (Fufu Atami maybe) and then home. The only thing set in stone at this point is the cruise.

Anyone have any comments and suggestions? Thanks