By bus
- Direct
- 75 min
- ¥2,200
- 1-3 buses/hour
Direct airport limousine buses from Kansai Airport to Sannomiya Station in central Kobe take about 75 minutes and cost 2200 yen.
Kobe: Getting there and around
Getting to Kobe
By JR trains using a discount ticket
- 1 transfer
- 80 min
- ¥2,000
- 2 connections/hour
Available exclusively to foreign tourists, the Haruka 1-Way Ticket is a discount offer that allows you to make the trip between Kansai Airport and Kobe on the Haruka limited express and the JR Kobe Line via Osaka Station for only 2000 yen. The one way fare without discount ticket would be around 2400 yen.
By JR trains using the shinkansen
- 1 transfer
- 75 min
- ¥3,500
- 2 connections/hour
Take the JR Haruka limited express from the airport to Shin-Osaka (50 minutes) and transfer to the Sanyo Shinkansen for Shin-Kobe (15 minutes). The journey is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass if using a Hikari, Sakura or Kodama train between Shin-Osaka and Shin-Kobe.
By non-JR trains
- 1 transfer
- 110 min
- ¥1,390 - 1,910
- 4 connections/hour
Take the Nankai Railway from the airport to Namba Station (45 minutes, 970 yen by express; or 35 minutes, 1490 by limited express) and transfer to the Hanshin Railway to Kobe-Sannomiya Station in central Kobe (45 minutes, 420 yen). The transfer at Namba Station involves a 5-10 minute walk.
By ferry
- 2 transfers
- 60 min
- ¥1,880 - 2,220
- every 1-2 hours
The Bay Shuttle, a high-speed ferry, operates between Kansai Airport and Kobe Airport. The one way journey takes 30 minutes, costs 1880 yen and includes a short shuttle bus ride between the Kansai Airport terminal building and the ferry pier. On the Kobe side, the Port Liner connects Kobe Airport with Sannomiya Station in central Kobe in 20 minutes for 340 yen. A Port Liner set ticket, which includes both the ferry ride and the Port Liner, is available for 1880 yen and can be purchased only at the Kansai International Airport ticket counter or the Port Liner Sannomiya Station information counter.
Above fees and schedules are subject to change. Be sure to check current yen exchange rates.
Getting around
Kobe's busiest railway station is not Kobe Station but Sannomiya Station at the city center. Sannomiya Station is served by multiple railway companies, including Japan Railways (JR), Hankyu Railway and Hanshin Railway. The shinkansen (bullet train) stops at Shin-Kobe Station, a short subway ride north of Sannomiya Station.
Distances between the attractions in central Kobe are relatively short, and good walkers can cover many of them on foot. There is also a tourist-oriented loop bus, which connects sites such as Kitano-cho, Nankinmachi, Meriken Park and Harborland with Shin-Kobe and Sannomiya Stations. The bus costs 300 yen per ride, while a day pass is available for 800 yen.
Kobe Airport is located on a man-made island just off the coast of central Kobe and can be reached by the Port Liner from Sannomiya Station in less than 20 minutes for 340 yen.
Special Tickets
- Kobe Meguri 1 Day Coupon (1000 yen)
Unlimited use of subways, non-JR trains and some buses around Kobe on one calendar day plus a 800 yen coupon to be used on admission to selected tourist sites. Available at non-JR train stations. There are also extended versions of this ticket that include access to Kobe, e.g. the Hanshin version for 1650 yen that includes unlimited use of Hanshin trains from Osaka or the Hankyu version for 1800 yen which can be used to access Kobe from as far as Kyoto by Hankyu trains. - City Loop - Day Pass (800 yen)
Unlimited rides on the Kobe City Loop bus on one calendar day. A 2-day pass is available for 1200 yen. - Subway and Bus Day Pass (1040 yen)
Unlimited usage of Kobe's two subway lines and Kobe city buses (not including the City Loop) on one calendar day.
Questions? Ask in our forum.
Links and Resources
English
Hotels around Kobe
Top rated in Kobe
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Hotel La Suite Kobe HarborlandLocated at the waterfront of Kobe Harborland, Hotel La Suite offers spacious rooms with ocean views and a spa bath. It features concierge service, a French restaurant and massage treatments. Free Wi-Fi/wired internet and free videos on demand are available in the rooms. This hotel was selected as one of Top 25 Hotels in Japan by TripAdvisor's Travelers' Choice Award 2013. Luxurious rooms come with a large flat-screen TV, a DVD player and extra long beds. Bathrooms have a TV and a hot tub, some with sea views. Amenities include a bathrobe, a humidifier with aroma diffuser and Phytomer brand bath salt. Guests at La Suite Kobe can lounge on comfortable sofas on the rooftop terrace. The hotel offers laundry and baby-sitting services. Bicycle and laptop rentals are available, and a free internet-PC is provided at the lobby. Creative French cuisine is presented in a decor of soft carpeting and wide windows at restaurant Le Coeur, while cafe Grand Blue serves a wide range of drinks and light meals. Restaurant Kokoro offers contemporary Japanese cooking inspired on traditional dishes. Hotel La Suite Kobe Harborland is a 4-minute walk from Minato-Motomachi Station. It's only a 3-minute walk from Kobe Tower, and a 6-minute stroll from Meriken Park. Kobe Airport is a 15-minute drive away.View on Booking.com -
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Arima Onsen Taketoritei MaruyamaTaketoritei Maruyama is a non-smoking Japanese-style accommodation featuring natural hot spring baths for private use and free Wi-Fi throughout the property. From its hilltop location a 15-minute walk from Kobe Electric Railway Arima Onsen Station, it offers sweeping views of Arima Onsen. Guests at Maruyama Taketoritei can privately unwind in a hot spring bath, or relax with a massage treatment. Facilities include drinks vending machines, while a free shuttle service is available to/from Kobe Electric Railway Arima Onsen Station and Arima Onsen Bus Stop. Air-conditioned rooms feature a seating area with a tatami (woven-straw) floor and a low table with seating cushions. Some rooms offer beds, while others have traditional futon bedding. All rooms are equipped with an LCD TV, yukata robes and a fridge. The property is a 10-minute walk from the Arima Onsen area. Osakafs Umeda station is a 55-minute bus ride away.View on Booking.com -
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Okuno HosomichiFeaturing Japanese cuisine prepared by award-winning chef, Tadamichi Ota, set in the Arima Onsen district in Kobe, 900 metres from Stamp Museum, Okuno Hosomichi features free WiFi access in the guest room and free private parking on site. Arima Onsen Station on the Rokko Arima Ropeway is a 6-minute stroll away. Guests can relax and soak in the hot spring bath on site. Each room at this ryokan is air-conditioned and is equipped with a flat-screen TV. Certain rooms have a seating area where you can relax. Slippers are provided for guests' comfort. You will find luggage storage space at the property. Guests can purchase beverages from the drinks vending machine on site. Massage services are offered at a charge. A sauna facility is featured at this accommodation. Mt. Rokko is 2.3 km from Okuno Hosomichi, while Mount Maya is 8 km away. Osaka Itami Airport is 90 minutes away via walk, monorail and train.View on Booking.com -
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ORIENTAL HOTELOverlooking the beautiful Kobe Harbour, Oriental Hotel offers luxurious accommodation in the heart of the historic Kyu-Kyoryuchi area. Guests can work out at the free-use fitness centre, or relax with beauty massages at the on-site salon. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property. Rooms with chic d?cor are fitted with stylish furnishings, and feature a flat-screen TV, a fridge and an electric kettle. The en suite bathroom includes a bath tub and free toiletries. Most rooms boast views of either the harbour or the city. The 24-hour front desk at the Hotel Oriental offers luggage storage services for free. In-room massages can be arranged at an extra charge. A range of items like a DVD player, humidifier and iron can be borrowed from the reception. The hotel is a 10-minute walk from both JR Sannomiya and Motomachi stations. Shin-kobe Shinkansen (bullet train) Station is a 5-minute drive away. Kobe City Museum is situated right next to the hotel, and Meriken Park can be reached within a 5-minute walk. Main Dining by the House of Pacific serves sophisticated Western dishes, while Kanesaka offers delicately prepared sushi. Teppanyaki can be enjoyed at Steak House Medium Rare, and The Bar J. W. Hart lets guests savour cocktails with the gorgeous harbour views.View on Booking.com -
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Arima Onsen Tocen GoshoboFounded in the 12th century and beloved by Junichiro Tanizaki and other Japanese novelists, Tosen Goshobo is the oldest of the hot-spring inns at Arima. Standing beside the Taki River, it features outdoor hot-spring baths and traditional in-room meals and is a 5-minute walk from Arima Onsen Train Station. The Japanese rooms have traditional futon bedding and a minibar. The 20 rooms at Arima Onsen Tosen Goshobo include tatami (woven-straw) floors and shoji paper screens. Guests can relax at the seating area and enjoy the zen atmosphere with a cup of green tea. Bathing facilities are shared. Right next to the Hankyu Highway Bus station, the ryokan is a 3-minute walk from the Arima Toys and Automata Museum. Zuihoji Park is 900 metres away. Shin-Kobe Shinkansen Station is a 30-minute train ride. Breakfast is Japanese-style with black-bean tofu, and dinner features specialties such as Kobe beef, fresh fish from Akashi-Ura port.View on Booking.com -
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Arima Grand HotelBoasting an open-air hot springs bath and spacious garden, Arima Grand Hotel is located a 10-minute walk away from Arima Onsen Station. Free WiFi is available in all rooms. Free private parking is also available on site. The entire property is non-smoking, while guests can smoke in the designated smoking area. All air-conditioned rooms come with a flat-screen TV, hairdryer and a mountain view. For guests' comfort, slippers and free toiletries are provided. Some rooms include a private bathroom. A seasonal outdoor pool, various spa and wellness facilities are available at a surcharge. Guests can enjoy the public hot springs bath free of charge. There is also a hot springs bath that is available for private use upon prior reservation at an additional fee. Arima Grand Hotel is situated a 40-minute car ride away from Kobe city and a 25-minute car ride away from Rokko Mountain Snow Park. This accommodation can be reached from Kobe Airport by a 30-minute drive. Mt. Maya is a 35-minute car ride away.View on Booking.com -
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Arima Onsen Takayamaso HananoArima Onsen Takayamaso Hanano features mountain views, free WiFi and free private parking, set in Kobe, 100 metres from Tenjin Gensen. Each accommodation at the 4-star ryokan has city views, and guests can enjoy access to a hot spring bath and spa facilities. The accommodation provides a lift, full-day security and luggage storage for guests. The ryokan will provide guests with air-conditioned units with a desk, a coffee machine, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. The ryokan offers certain units that feature a terrace, and the units have a kettle. At the ryokan, each unit comes with bed linen and towels. Guests at the ryokan can enjoy an Asian breakfast. The ryokan is located in a geothermal area, with a number of hot springs nearby for guests to relax in. A variety of wellness packages are available for guests to get rejuvenated on-site. Guests can also relax in the garden or in the shared lounge area. Popular points of interest near Arima Onsen Takayamaso Hanano include Zempuku-ji Temple, Hosenji Temple and Philatelic Culture Museum Arima, Kobe. Itami Airport is 23 km away.View on Booking.com -
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Hotel HanakoyadoOffering stylish rooms with shoji paper screens and Western beds, Hotel Hanakoyado is only a 6-minute walk from Arima Onsen Train Station. It features hot-spring baths and a massage service. The air-conditioned rooms at Hanakoyado Hotel include a fridge and tea maker. Each has an attached toilet, and bathing facilities are shared. Arima Toys and Automata Museum is just 100 metres from the ryokan. JR Sannomiya Train Station is a 35-minute train ride away. Reservable baths for private use are available 24/7. Guests can take a break from the baths to go fishing or hike along one of the areafs trails. Meals are served at Shunju Dining Room and feature grilled fish and meats.View on Booking.com -
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Tabiyu AbrigoTabiyu Abrigo is located in the Arima Onsen district of Kobe, a few steps from Arima Toys and Automata Museum, 100 metres from Zempuku-ji Temple and 100 metres from Onsen-ji Temple. Featuring mountain and city views, this aparthotel also offers free WiFi. This 3-star aparthotel offers private entrance. All units in the aparthotel are fitted with a kettle. Complete with a private bathroom equipped with a bidet and slippers, the units at the aparthotel have a TV and air conditioning, and selected rooms come with a balcony. At the aparthotel, every unit includes bed linen and towels. The aparthotel is located in a geothermal area, with a number of hot springs nearby for guests to relax in. Guests at the aparthotel will be able to enjoy activities in and around Kobe, like hiking. Popular points of interest near Tabiyu Abrigo include Nenbutsu-ji Temple, Gokurakuji Temple and Tosen Shrine. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 23 km from the accommodation.View on Booking.com -
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Kobe Guesthouse MAYASet within 3.5 km of Kobe Center for Overseas Migration and Cultural Interaction and 8.6 km of Noevir Stadium Kobe, Kobe Guesthouse MAYA offers rooms with air conditioning and a shared bathroom in Kobe. Among the facilities at this property are a shared kitchen and a shared lounge, along with free WiFi throughout the property. The property is non-smoking and is located 15 km from Emba Museum of Chinese Modern Art. The units feature a shared bathroom with a shower and a hairdryer. The area is popular for hiking, and bike hire is available at the hostel. Mount Maya is 16 km from Kobe Guesthouse MAYA, while Onsen-ji Temple is 16 km away. Kobe Airport is 10 km from the property.View on Booking.com
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Experiences around Kobe
Top rated in Kobe
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Kobe Harborland 24 HR Onsen Manyo Club Hot Spring Experience in KobeTreat yourself to a relaxing onsen experience in Kobe and head to Kobe Harborland Onsen Manyo ClubView on Klook -
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Kobe Highlights Day Tour with Sake TastingEnjoy a varied atmosphere in this leisurely 7-hour tour, which covers all the best Kobe has to offer!View on Klook -
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Kansai Private Day Tour: Osaka & Kyoto & Nara & Kobe & Awaji Island & Amanohashidate & Lake Biwa (Depart from Osaka)Kansai RegionbCustomized 10-hour chartered one-day tour from Osaka (Kyoto), free planning of the entire route, professional driver recommended attractions, spend a relaxing and rich one-day tour!View on Klook -
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Himeji Castle & Arima Onsen & Mt. Rokko Day Tour from OsakaFeel the magnificent beauty of the ancient Himeji Castle, stroll inside and outside the castle, and leave unforgettable momentsView on Klook -
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Tsuki-no-yufune Onsen Experience in KobeGo on a relaxing escape in Kobe and try the hot spring pools of Tsuki-no-yufuneView on Klook -
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