Kobe Airport (UKB) and Port Liner
Kobe Airport sits on an artificial island. The driverless Port Liner runs straight to Sannomiya in the center. Check airlines for current international routes and schedules.
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Elsewhere in the country: Level 3 (leave the country) — some regions: L3 (leave): within 30 km of Fukushima Daiichi NPP and government-designated evacuation zones / rest of Japan: no advisory
Visits to the listed regions should be cancelled or postponed (see Details for other areas).
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Kobe Travel Guide
A port city squeezed between sea and mountains, with old foreign merchants' houses, a Chinatown, harbor night views and mountaintop lookouts close together. It is a short train ride from Osaka, and nearby Arima Onsen and Kobe beef are famous.
Plan your Kobe trip
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At a glance
- Currency
- JPY (¥)
- Power & plugs
- 100V · Type A/B
- Driving side
- Left
- Tipping
- Not expected
- Local language
- 日本語
- How long to stay
- 2 to 3 days
Emergency numbers
- Police110
- Ambulance119
- Fire119
- Tourist hotline050-3816-2787
When to go
Spring (March-May) and autumn (October-November) are the best for walking. June-July is the rainy season and July-August is hot and humid. Mount Rokko's night view is year-round, but the summit is very cold in winter.
Airport to the city
Kansai Airport (KIX) by limousine bus
If you land at Kansai Airport, the limousine bus to Sannomiya is the easiest option. Traffic can cause delays.
Kansai Airport (KIX) by high-speed boat
Cross the bay by boat to Kobe Airport, then take the Port Liner. Check official information for sailings and fares.
Getting around
IC card (ICOCA and others)
Works on JR, private railways, the subway, buses and at convenience stores. Most Japanese IC cards can be used.
JR, Hankyu and Hanshin trains
All three pass through Sannomiya and reach Osaka in about 20-40 minutes. Pick the line with the station closest to where you're going.
City Loop bus
A sightseeing bus linking Kitano, Meriken Park, Harborland and more. Check official information for hours and day passes.
Subway
Connects Sannomiya, Harborland and Shin-Kobe station for the shinkansen.
Cable cars and ropeways
Mount Rokko and Nunobiki Herb Gardens are reached by cable car or ropeway, which may stop in bad weather.
Where to stay
Sannomiya and Motomachi
Good for: First visit, transport hub
Where all the train lines meet, with plenty of food and shopping and many sights within walking distance.
Harborland and Meriken Park
Good for: Sea views, night views
Right on the harbor, lovely in the evening, with some sea-view hotels.
Kitano
Good for: Old streets, quieter stays
The hillside district of old foreign residences. Lots of slopes, awkward with heavy luggage.
Arima Onsen
Good for: Hot springs, relaxing
An old hot spring town over the mountains, ideal for a ryokan night. 30 minutes to an hour from the city by bus or train.
Map of stays in Kobe
Compare prices from many booking sites on the map
Search stays in Kobe in the appMap & prices: Stay22 — you book on each site
Top sights
Kitano Ijinkan
Western-style houses built by foreign residents in the Meiji era. Some houses charge entry; strolling the streets is free.
Meriken Park and Kobe Port Tower
A harbor park whose red Port Tower is the city's symbol. Best from dusk when the lights come on.
Harborland
A waterfront shopping and strolling area, great for harbor views at night.
Nankinmachi (Chinatown)
A compact Chinatown full of street-food stalls. Very crowded on weekend afternoons.
Mount Rokko lookout
Ride the cable car up for night views over Kobe and Osaka Bay. Check hours and the last car down.
Arima Onsen
One of Japan's oldest hot spring towns, famous for its iron-rich reddish water. Day-use bathhouses are available.
Nunobiki Herb Gardens
A mountainside herb garden reached by ropeway, with city views. Paid entry.
Ikuta Shrine
An ancient shrine right next to central Sannomiya. Free to visit.
Ikuta Shrine · Photo: 663highland / CC BY-SA 3.0
What to eat
Kobe beef
Richly marbled Japanese beef, often cooked teppanyaki-style. It is very expensive and courses vary widely, so check prices before ordering.
Nankinmachi street food
Dumplings and steamed buns to snack on as you walk. About 300-800 yen each.
Sobameshi
Fried noodles and rice stir-fried together on a griddle, Kobe comfort food. About 800-1,200 yen.
Bakeries and Western sweets
Kobe has long been known for bread and Western-style cakes, good for souvenirs.
Akashiyaki
Soft, eggy octopus dumplings dipped in broth. About 600-1,000 yen.
Daily budget (per person)
Budgetabout 8,000-10,000 yen per day: guesthouse, trains, simple meals
Mid-rangeabout 17,000-23,000 yen per day: hotel, entry fees, restaurant meals
Comfortabout 40,000 yen+ per day: onsen ryokan, Kobe beef course
Amounts are rough figures in local currency. Check exchange rates before you go.
Sample itinerary
- Day 1
Airport to Sannomiya, Ikuta Shrine, a Kitano Ijinkan walk in the afternoon, then night views at Meriken Park and Harborland.
- Day 2
Snacks in Nankinmachi, Nunobiki Herb Gardens in the afternoon, then the Mount Rokko night view (check the last cable car).
- Day 3
A day or overnight at Arima Onsen, then on to Osaka or the airport.
Local tips
- International routes at Kobe Airport are relatively new; check airlines for current routes and days of operation.
- Sannomiya is a short train ride from Osaka, so Kobe combines easily with Osaka and Kyoto.
- Kitano is hilly: wear comfortable shoes and leave luggage at your hotel or a station locker.
- Cable cars and ropeways may stop in bad weather; check the last departure too.
- Some small shops are cash only; carry some yen.
- Check official Japanese government information on entry procedures before you travel.
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