Suggestions for an overnight in Kobe

On our Japan cruise next year we arrive in Kobe at 8 am and depart the next day at 2 pm. We'd like to spend a full day in Kyoto but not sure whether to stay overnight in Kyoto and try to get back to the ship the next morning with a brief tour along the way (is Nara doable?) or to come back late in the evening of the first day and then do a half day the next day to Osaka or Nara. Any suggestions?

thanks.

Kobe is located more or less halfway between Osaka and Kyoto.

Both are a short and inexpensive train ride away.

You could easily spend most of one day in either city and part of another day in the other.

No need to book a hotel, as the ship is so close.

Nara is a different story. It is located quite a way to the North, requiring bullet trains in both directions, and more time to visit the area. It is still do-able, however.