From Kobe AirportMultiple flights are operated each day between Kobe Airport and Tokyo Haneda, Sapporo, Sendai, Okinawa, and Kagoshima by ANA and some budget airlines including Skymark Airlines & Air Do.
From Kobe Airport, the Port Liner light rail runs about every 10 minutes, reaching Sannomiya in less than 20 minutes for easy connections to the Japan Rail "JR", Hanshin, Hankyu and Subway Lines. From there, a small trip on the subway will link you to the Shin-Kobe bullet train station. If coming from Sannomiya to the airport, be sure to board a train marked "Kobe Airport", as some head to the Kita Futo branch line instead. The nearest international airport is Kansai International Airport. Airport Buses run to Sannomiya Station takes 65 to 75 minutes; depending on whether the bus travels directly to Sannomiya or stops first on Rokko Island. |
Map of Port Liner Stations on Port Island in Kobe
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Here you can search for cheap airline tickets and hotels worldwide. The Jetradar search engine compare prices provided by over 200 booking agencies for airline tickets. The Hotellook search engine compare prices from 70 hotel booking services.
Each will show you the lowest prices available. Fill out the required details and press search. You will be redirected to an online website where you can make your reservation. For booking random hotels you can also search with the Hotel Map below which shows hotel prices and location on the map. |
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By TrainThe nearest station on Japan's high-speed Shinkansen network is at Shin-Kobe Station. From Tokyo Station, Shin-Kobe is 2 hours and 50 minutes away via Nozomi, and 3 hours and 20 minutes via Hikari.
The Japan Rail Pass is valid on Hikari trains, but not on Nozomi trains. From Shin-Kobe Station, take the Seishin Yamate Subway line one stop to Sannomiya Station. If you are traveling light you can walk as well. |
Kobe Station
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From Osaka, there are several ways to arrive in Sannomiya.
Trains on the Hankyu and Hanshin private lines depart respectively from Hankyu-Umeda and Hanshin-Umeda Stations in Osaka. The Tokkyu "express" takes roughly half an hour to reach Sannomiya. Hanshin Trains also operate to Kobe from Namba Station. Kaisoku Kyuko Trains depart every 20 minutes, reaching Sannomiya in 45 minutes. In some instances you may have to change trains at Amagasaki. The best option via JR is to take the Shin-kaisoku "Special Rapid" or Kaisoku "Rapid" service that departs from JR Osaka Station, running to Sannomiya in 20 and 26 minutes, respectively "no charge with the Japan Rail Pass". |
Hankyu Railway Map
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From Kyoto, Sannomiya is 50 minutes away from the Kyoto Station via Shin-kaisoku "no charge with the Japan Rail Pass".
You can also make the run to the area in 30 minutes via bullet train, but it is more expensive, and if you have the rail pass, you can only take one train every hour without changing trains "the Hikari that runs through to Okayama". |
Kobe Subway Map
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From Nara - Kintetsu trains run from the historical city of Nara to Sannomiya station on the Hanshin line via Namba. Direct trains leave every 20 minutes, reaching Sannomiya in 75 minutes.
From Himeji – The Sanyo Electric Railway connects Himeji to Osaka through Kobe City. The train line provides access to the world’s longest suspension bridge over Akashi Kaikyo Strait and Himeji Castle. |
Shin-Kobe Station
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By BusAs Kobe is a major city, there are many buses which run between Kobe and other locations throughout Japan, which can be a cheaper alternative than Shinkansen fares.
The run between Tokyo and the Kansai region is the busiest in Japan. Trips take between 9 and 10 hours depending on the route and stops. Fierce competition between operators in recent years has led to buses offering better amenities and lower prices. |
Kobe Sannomiya Bus Terminal
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Two of the major bus operators between Tokyo and Kobe are Willer Express and JR Bus. Tickets for all carriers can generally be purchased at major departure points, and can also be purchased "with some Japanese language help" at kiosks inside convenience stores.
Willer Express - Runs overnight trips with a variety of seating options ranging from standard seats to luxurious shell seats. Bus journeys can be booked online in English, and Willer's Japan Bus Pass is valid on all of their routes with some exceptions. Willer's buses in Tokyo primarily leave from their own bus terminal west of Shinjuku Station in the Sumitomo Building. |
Willer Express Bus
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In Kobe, Willer picks up and drops off at the Koka shopping center, west of Sannomiya Station. Note that Willer also sells tickets for other bus operators on their website, but these trips are not valid with Willer's Japan Bus Pass.
JR Bus - Reservations cannot be made online in English, but you can make reservations in train stations at the same "Midori-no-Madoguchi" ticket windows used to reserve seats on trains. Buses depart from Tokyo Station - Yaesu Exit, and the JR Highway Bus Terminal located adjacent to Yoyogi Station on the Yamanote Line "one stop south of Shinjuku". Buses stop in Kobe at the Sannomiya Bus Terminal. |
West JR Bus Seishun - Mega Dream
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Transfers & Rental CarsIf you would like to rent a car, use the search engine here and book a car in advance.
Fill out the details; pickup and drop-off places, date and time, and press search. You will be redirected to Rental Cars website where a list of available cars will be shown to you to choose from. For information about accommodation and attraction in the area, visit Kobe Station. |
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Kobe Station Access - Chuo-ku, Kobe-shi, Hyogo Prefecture
