Kobe Festival (around July 20) This festival was started in 1971 as a highlight of the summer season and has since attracted many people, even from neighboring prefectures. It could not be held the last year due to the effects of the big earthquake, but it was held this year. Some of this year's highlights were the Samba Festival, performed by dancers from Rio de Janeiro, the offshore fireworks, the Reborn Kobe Parade, and performance by street performers from all over the world. It was a grand event.

The Great Arima Tea Ceremony (November 2 and 3) Arima is famous for the tea ceremonies that the great warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi held with the guidance of the famous tea master Senno Rikyu. This ceremony is held to honor these two. Tea made by the iemoto (main house of the tea faction) is first consecrated at Zenpukuji Temple and then served in the tea ceremony at Zuihouji Park under the crimson foliage.

Shunsetsu-sai (Spring) Festival (February) This is a Chinese festival to celebrate the traditional New Years. During the festival Chinatown is adorned with beautiful ornaments and firecrackers go off on the streets. A 40-meter long dragon dances through the streets. Also, a miniature dragon dance and acrobatics are performed by a local Chinese dance team.

Kitano International Festival (Last weekend of July) This festival, organized with the cooperation of the foreign community, is held at the Kitano Tenma Shrine. Booths are erected within shrine compounds where international goods and dishes are sold. Also, people from different countries show their national dances and perform other shows. At this famous shrine the warlord Sugawara Michizane is worshipped as a god of learning. The name Kitano-cho comes from this shrine.