Kobe is a unique and compact city nestled between the Rokko mountain range and the Seto Inland Sea. Its long and narrow geography means that much of the city stretches in a ribbon-like shape along the waterfront, making transport both interesting and essential for exploring.
Kobe is well-connected by several rail lines that run parallel to the coastline, making travel between key areas like Sannomiya, Motomachi, and Kobe Station quick and convenient. These areas are central hubs filled with shopping, dining, and cultural attractions.
If you’re arriving by Shinkansen, your stop will be Shin-Kobe Station, located in the foothills behind the city centre. While it’s a major bullet train hub, it’s not within walking distance to most of Kobe’s popular areas. From Shin-Kobe, you’ll want to transfer to the Kobe Municipal Subway to reach places like Sannomiya, the heart of the city, and further down to the waterfront.
Kobe-Sannomiya Station is the true heart of the city’s transport network and functions more like the city centre than JR Kobe Station itself. Multiple railway lines intersect here, including the JR Kobe Line, Hankyu Railway, Hanshin Railway, the Kobe City Subway, and the Port Liner to Port Island and Kobe Airport. The station complex spans several city blocks underground, with an extensive network of shopping arcades, food halls, and underground passageways linking the various platforms and exits. If you’re navigating Kobe, especially as a visitor, Sannomiya is likely to be your main hub—whether you’re heading to the waterfront, exploring Kitano, or connecting to other parts of the Kansai region.
Coming from Osaka
Travellers coming from Osaka often find it easier and more direct to skip the Shinkansen and take a regular JR line instead. The JR Kobe Line offers a fast and frequent service that takes you straight into the city centre, dropping you at stations like Sannomiya or Motomachi without the need for transfers.
Other private railways, such as Hanshin and Hankyu, also connect Osaka and Kobe, offering affordable and efficient alternatives depending on where you’re starting from.
Exploring the Hills and Beyond
Kobe isn’t just about the port — the city’s backdrop is the lush, forested slopes of Mount Rokko, and there are several scenic cable cars and ropeways to take you up the mountain. These include:
- Shin-Kobe Ropeway, which starts near Shin-Kobe Station and offers panoramic views of the city and sea.
- Rokko Cable Car, which climbs to the top of Mount Rokko, where you’ll find viewpoints, gardens, and even a music box museum.
- Maya Viewline (Maya Ropeway and Cable Car), which offers a dramatic ride up Mount Maya, famous for its “10 million dollar night view.”
Easy Navigation with an IC Card
Using a prepaid IC card like ICOCA, Suica, or Pasmo makes travel smooth across trains, subways, and even some buses in Kobe. These cards are interchangeable across many regions in Japan and save the hassle of buying individual tickets.
See Also
Getting to Kobe
