Guide to take trains in Kobe. How to choose the best route by train to get the major spots?

Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe and Nara
Port Tower is the icon of Kobe.
Night view of Kobe Harborland and Meriken Park
Night view of Kobe Harborland and Meriken Park

You may be overwhelmed by train services in Kobe. Actually it is much easier to handle than Osaka and Kyoto. Most of places to see are located in downtown Kobe. Many of them can be accessed on foot from major stations directly. However understanding train system is a key to save your time. Kobe can be combined with Himeji easily. You may spend half day in Kobe and enjoy in Osaka rest of the day.

For travelling in Kansai area, there are many types of deals, such as ICOCA, Kansai Thru Pass, JR Pass, Kansai Area Pass and many more. Each pass has different conditions. You have to understand which train system is covered by your pass. And also Kobe is very closed to Osaka. You may not have many chances to take a train and that means single fare may be the best option for you.

In this post, I will show you the route map and explain all train systems in Kobe.

How to access to Kobe

Kobe himeji access
Access map of the trip to Kobe and Himeji (Click to view large)

Kobe is located between Osaka and Himeji. So you can combine Kobe with Himeji easily.

You can access to Kobe by JR line, Hanshin Railway and Hankyu Railway from Umeda (JR Osaka station) or Namba. The travel time is about 20 to 40 minutes. It is varied by the type of the train and the line. JR Special Rapid is the fastest way to get Kobe. It take 20 minutes. You can get Kobe from Kyoto in 50 minutes by Special Rapid too.

If you use JR Pass, Kansai Area Pass, Kansai Wide Area Pass or other JR deals, Special Rapid is most convenient way to get Kobe.

If you use Kansai Thru Pass, you may take Hanshin Railway or Hankyu Railway. You can get either one if you leave from Umeda. Only Hanshin Railway takes you Kobe from Namba.

If you get Kobe from other cities, such as Tokyo, Nagoya, Hiroshima, Hakata, the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen takes you to Kobe. But the station in Kobe is Shin-Kobe. It is one station away from Kobe-Sannomiya which is the downtown core of Kobe by subway. Please see the post below to find more information about Shin-Kobe station:

I will also explain about Kobe city subway later in this post.

Train and subway lines in downtown Kobe

There are many trains running in downtown Kobe. And also many deals are available in Kansai area. But the coverage is varied by the pass which you use. I will tell you about the train network in Kobe and the coverage of the major passes and the deals.

For the travellers who use ICOCA, Kansai One Pass, Suica, Pasmo or other IC cards

Click to enlarge (C) JP Rail
Click to enlarge (C) JP Rail

You can take all trains on the map above except Mount Rokko transportation, such as Rokko Cable, Rokko Sanjo bus and Rokko Arima Ropeway. Major IC card (ICOCA, Kansai One Pass, Suica, Pasmo and other major one) cover Kobe city bus service too. You can access to Rokko Cable Shita station from Hankyu Rokko, JR Rokkomichi and Hanshin Mikage stations by Kobe city bus.

For the travellers who use Kansai Thru Pass

Please see the map below:

Click to enlarge (C) JP Rail
Click to enlarge (C) JP Rail

This pass does not cover any JR lines but it covers most places in Kobe. Only Mt Rokko cannot be accessed by this pass. It is no problem to visit other spots in Kobe. Actually manu places in Kobe are located within walking distance from the stations. If you use the pass for the round trip between Osaka and Kobe only, the round trip fare is around 1,000 yen. You cannot get the worth of Kansai Thru Pass. I will tell you about Hanshin Tourist Pass and Hankyu Tourist Pass below. These deals are much better choice for visiting downtown area and harbor area in Kobe.

Kansai Area Pass and Hokuriku Arch Pass

Please see the following map:

Click to enlarge (C) JP Rail
Click to enlarge (C) JP Rail

These passes cover only JR conventional line’s train, such as Special Rapid, Rapid and Local. You cannot take Shinkansen and other express trains. But if you intend to visit downtown Kobe and harbor area from Osaka, single ticket is cheaper than Kansai area pass. Especially this pass does not cover any subway and bus in Kobe. It is very limited to use this pass in Kobe. If you visit Kobe from Kyoto, round trip fare is almost equal to the value of the pass. But Hankyu Tourist Pass is much cheaper than Kansai Area Pass.

If you use Hokuriku Arch Pass, just take JR conventional line’s to Kobe and add other local deal or ticket as you need.

Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass), Kansai WIDE Area Pass, Kansai Hiroshima Area pass, Sanyo Sanin Area Pass

Please see the map below:

Click to enlarge (C) JP Rail
Click to enlarge (C) JP Rail

You can get either the Shinkansen or the conventional line trains. But the Shinkansen station, Shin-Kobe is not located in downtown core of Kobe. It is one station away from Sannomiya by subway. Subway is not covered by these JR deals. The Shinkansen is not very convenient way to visit Kobe if you access from Osaka.

Other conditions are same as Kansai Area Pass.

Other regional deals, such as city pass, Osaka-Kobe round trip deal

If you think about purchasing single ticket, the following deals may be better than single fare.

Hanshin Tourist Pass

This deal covers only Hanshin Railway. But you can make a trip from either Umeda or Namba to Kobe. The price is only 500 yen and it is way cheaper than round trip single fare. If you want to visit only downtown and harbor area, such as, Kitano, Kobe Harborland, Meriken Park from Osaka, this is the best choice for you. Please see the link below to get the details about Hanshin Tourist Pass.

Hanshin Tourist Pass

Hankyu Tourist Pass

This is same type as Hanshin Tourist Pass. But Hankyu Railway connects Osaka and Kyoto too. If you access from Kyoto to Kobe, this is most affordable choice. The price is only 700 yen and of course, it is way cheaper than round trip single fare. Please see the link below to get the details about Hankyu Tourist Pass.

Hankyu Tourist Pass

However Hankyu Railway does not have any direct train service from Kyoto to Kobe. JR has Special Rapid train and this is much faster than Hankyu Railway.

City Bus & Subway 1-day Pass

Click to enlarge (C) JP Rail
Click to enlarge (C) JP Rail

If you stay in Kobe and looking for the deal, this deal may be your choice. However, as I mentioned several times in this post, many places in Kobe can be accessed on foot from major stations. Single fare may be cheaper than this pass at 1030 yen. Please make a detail itinerary and compare the fare and the deals. Bus fare is 210 yen for one ride and subway fare is 210 to 270 yen in downtown and harbor area. You have to ride more than 4-5 times a day.

Unfortunately Kobe Municipality Transportation does not provide English site. Please find the details at the link below.

Official Kobe Tourism Site, Free Kobe

City loop one day pass

Kobe City Loop bus has completely different exterior from regular city bus. You can find it very easily.
Kobe City Loop bus has completely different exterior from regular city bus. You can find it very easily.

This bus service connects major tourist spots. This bus is most convenient way to visit the spots in downtown area. One day pass is 660 yen and one ride is 260 yen. If you visit more than two places, it is paid off. You can find the info in ENGLISH/한국어/簡体字/繁体字 at the link below:

Kobe City Transportation

1 day pass can be purchased in the bus.

Arima Onsen and Mount Rokko deals

Rokko Cablecar (C) JNTO
Rokko Cablecar (C) JNTO

Arima Onsen can be accessed by Hokushin Kyuko and Kobe Railway. These trains are covered by Kansai Thru Pass. However transportation to Mount Rokko, such as Cablecar, Ropeway, are not covered by any regional deals. There are some deals to cover this mountain side of Kobe.

If you want to have one way trip from Arima to Kobe via Mount Rokko, Rokko Arima one way ticket is available at 1,750 yen (child 880 yen). This deal includes one way ride for both Rokko Arima Ropeway and Rokko Cablecar, and unlimited ride of bus on Rokko Mountain Top Bus.

Arima Rokko one day pass is different option. This deals gives you unlimited ride for the following segments:
Kobe subway, Sannomiya – Shin-Kobe
Hokushin Kyuko, Shin-Kobe – Tanbigami
Kobe Railway, Tanigami – Arima Onsen
Arima Rokko Ropeway
Rokko Sanjo Bus (Rokko Mountain Top Bus)
Rokko Cablecar
Kobe City Bus (Rokko Cableshite – Hankyu Rokko station – Hanshin Mikage station)
Hankyu Railway (Hankyu Rokko – Kobe Sannomiya)

And also this deal includes the entry ticket for Kin-no-yu or Gin-no-yu hot springs. The basic price is 2,360 yen. And combination pass for this unlimited pass and return fare from Osaka or Kyoto.

Types of passPrice
Basic2,360 yen
Hanshin Railway (Umeda or Namba or all stations on Hanshin railway – Sannomiya or Mikage)2,460 yen
Hankyu Railway (Umeda or Kyoto or all stations on Hankyu railway – Sannomiya or Mikage)2,560 yen

How to access to major spots in Kobe

I would like to show you the access to major spots in Kobe.

Sannomiya

South side of JR Sannomiya station
South side of JR Sannomiya station

Sannomiya is the biggest downtown core in Kobe. You can get there by JR, Hankyu and Hanshin from Osaka. Shinkansen’s Shin-Kobe station is one station away by subway. Both Hanshin and Hankyu Railway’s stations are Kobe-Sannomiya. Station name is a bit different but it is same location. Port Liner depart from Sannomiya and connect to Port Island and Kobe Airport.

Kitano

Uroko no Ie is one of reserved western style residents in Kitano. (C) JNTO
Uroko no Ie is one of reserved western style residents in Kitano. (C) JNTO

Kitano is location between Sannomiya and Shin-Kobe. You can walk from these stations. Otherwise you can take City Loop Bus.

Meriken Park

Port Tower is the icon of Kobe.
Port Tower is the icon of Kobe.

Subway’s Minato-Motomachi station is the nearest station. But you can walk from Motomachi station.

Harborland

Kobe umie Mosaic is shopping complex in waterfront area.
Kobe umie Mosaic is shopping complex in waterfront area.

JR Kobe station and subway’s Harborland stations are same location. Hanshin and Hankyu Railways Kousoku-Kobe station is almost same station. This is connected by underground path to JR Kobe station. You can get there easily from these stations.

Nankinmachi (Chinatown)

Gate of Nankinmachi
Gate of Nankinmachi

Nankinmachi is located at north side of Meriken Park. You can walk from Motomochi or Minato-Motomachi station.

Kobe Airport

Aerial shot of Kobe airport (C) Kobe Convention & Visitors Association/ (C) JNTO
Aerial shot of Kobe airport (C) Kobe Convention & Visitors Association/ (C) JNTO

Port Liner connects to the airport from Sannomiya station.

Arima Onsen

Arima Onsen Yumotozaka path (C) 663highland (663highland) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or CC BY 2.5 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons
Arima Onsen Yumotozaka path (C) 663highland (663highland) [GFDL CC-BY-SA-3.0or CC BY 2.5], via Wikimedia Commons

If you use Kansai Thru Pass, best way is subway, Hokushin Kyuko and Kobe railway. You may get this hot springs town by Mount Rokko transportation, such as cablecar and gondola.

Mount Rokko

Night view from the top of Mt. Rokko is one of the best in Japan.
Night view from the top of Mt. Rokko is one of the best in Japan.

Hankyu Rokko station, JR Rokkomichi station and Hanshin Mikage station are the gateway to Mount Rokko. You may also get there from Arima Onsen. You can make a circle route to combine with Arima Onsen.

I hope this post helps you understand the train system in Kobe.

Comments

  1. Elna U. says:

    Hi Takeshi! /JPRail.com

    We are first timers in Japan and still figuring out the right options for the transportation system. If you can help us plan out the routes that are more efficient with the following 14-day Itinerary but will only use 7 day JR Pass. Will appreciate to add the local trains as well. Thank you so much for your help!

    Day 1 Osaka arrive at night through Kansai airport – (stay in Osaka as base for 7 days)
    Day 2 Explore Kyoto
    Southern Higashiyama & Eastern Kyoto
    Day 3 Explore Kyoto
    Northern Higashiyama and Arashiyama/Sagano Area
    Day 4 Explore Osaka
    Day 5 Explore Osaka Universal Studios
    Day 6 Explore Nara Day Trip
    Day 7 Day trip to Kobe.
    Day 8 Overnight trip to Hiroshima and Miyajima (Activate 7 day JR Pass)
    Day 9 Overnight trip to Nagasaki – Huis Ten Bosch from Hiroshima
    Day 10 Travel from Nagasaki to Tokyo
    Hotel in Asia Center of Japan

    Western Tokyo:
    -Shibuya
    -Shinjuku
    – Meiji Shrine
    – Harajuku
    -Shinjuku Gyoen
    -Yoyogi Park
    -Government Building
    Day 11 Explore Tokyo
    Central Tokyo
    – Tsukiji Outer Market
    – Akihabara (Anime)
    -Imperial Palace
    -GINZA
    Add GHIBLI Museum (please add how to travel to Ghibli Museum if JR pass is ok)
    Day 12 Day trip to either Hakone or Five Lakes to appreciate Mt. Fuji
    (please include how to go to either Hakone or other option for Mt Fuji area day trip)
    Day 13 Explore Tokyo Disneyland
    Hotel Sheraton in Tokyo Bay
    Day 14 Explore Tokyo Bay and Odaiba area
    6 p.m. fly to California from Haneda
    (Can we still use the JR pass going back to Haneda airport?)

    Thank you so much and I really appreciate your help.

  2. melanie says:

    Hi Takashi-san
    I was looking at getting the Arima Rokko one day pass, but cant see to find out any information on it except right here.
    I found one website that had the pass included but it says it was only available until the end of December 2019.
    Is it still available for purchase? Will it be available in March? Where can I purchase it?
    Thank you in advance

    • Hi Melanie san,

      Actually I have been waiting that the railway companies update the info. I believe it’s still available and the price may be small adjustment. But I’m not 100% sure yet.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Melanie says:

        Thank you for you reply Takashi san ^_^

        If I cannot purchase it in March are there other options you can help me choose?
        I want to go up to Mt Rokko and see Arima Onsen, ideally going up on one side and coming down the other side.
        Would purchasing the Rokkosan Tourist pass and a subway/bus one day pass be enough? I know I will have to pay separately for the Arima Ropeway if that’s the case, but will those 2 passes get me around Mt Rokko and Arima Onsen?

        どうもありがとうございます

  3. Ellen Papachristoforou says:

    Hi Takeshisan…….Have to bother you again with the following questions.

    After Kyoto, we will be going to Arima Onseo for 2 days then head to Yokohama for 4 days.

    From Kyoto to Arima Onsen, I found this 2 hr 13 mins train ride:
    -From Kyoto station – Shinkansen Hikari to Shin-Kobe
    -From Shin-Kobe – JR Hokushinjyuko Railway to Tanigami
    -From Tanigami – Kobe Electric Railway (Shintetsu)to Arimaguchi
    -From Arimaguchi – Kobe Electric Railway (Shintetsu) to Arimaonsen

    I am travelling with a JR Rail Pass, so I believe the Shinkansen Hikari portion is covered,
    I have to purchase the tickets for the rest of the trip.

    Questions:
    1. Is Hokishiniyuko Railway a JR line? I got mix info, if it is a JR line, does it covered by the JR Rail Pass?
    2. Can I purchase all the tickets (non JRRail Pass coverage) at the initial stop, i.e. Kyoto Station? Or I have to get the portion of the ticket at each stop, such as Shin-Kobe / Tanigami &
    Arimaguchi?
    3. How difficult is it to make all these Shinkansen / Railway switch at various stops?
    4. Do we have to get off at each station and switch tracks?
    As per HyperDia.com, there are a small amount of time (about 15 minutes) at each stop between the arrival / departure time but no track info.

    Then from Arima Onsen to Yokohama, I found the following 1hr45 mins bus / train / subway route:
    -From Arima Onsen to Shin Osaka – Hankyu Bus
    -From Shin Osaka to Kyoto – Shinkansen Hikari
    -From Kyoto to Karasumaoike – Kyoto Subway

    Again, the Shinjansen Hikari is covered by the JR Rail Pass, but need to purchase ticket for the bus / Kyoto Subway portion.
    Same question here:
    5. Can I purchase all the tickets (non JRRail Pass coverage) at the initial stop, i.e. Arima Onsen Station?
    Or I have to get the portion of the ticket at each stop, such as Shin-Osaka / Kyoto ?
    6. How difficult is it to make the Shinkansen / Subway switch?

    One more very general question:
    7. Can we purchase tickets (Shinkansen / train / subway etc) IN ADVANCE while travelling in Tokyo / Kyoto if we know the travel date / route ? If so how advance and where to get them?
    – Sometimes we have to catch the transport at a specific time, prefer to get advance ticket to save time/ hassle if possible.

    Thanks for your time and valuable info.

    Ellen P.

  4. Jane says:

    Hi, do you know which is the most scenic ropeway ride to mount rokko? Thank you!

  5. Peter says:

    Hi Takeshi,
    Arriving by ship to Kobel July 2019.
    Is it possible to get the Hankyu Tourist 1 day Pass at Kobe?

    Peter

  6. HQ says:

    Hi,
    I am planning a day-trip to Kobe from Osaka. The details are as follows:
    1) I will be travelling to Arima Onsen via the highway bus
    2) From Arima Onsen, I will be visiting Mt. Rokko via the Arima-Rokko ropeway
    3) From Mt. Rokko, I will take the cable car down, then take Kobe City Bus 16 to Hankyu Rokko Station, and take the Hankyu-Kobe line to Sannomiya.
    4) After visiting Sannomiya, I will be taking the Hankyu-Kobe line back to Umeda (Osaka).
    Does the Arima Rokko One Day Pass (Hankyu version) cover points 2,3 and 4 of my plan?
    Thank you!

  7. Winnie says:

    Hi Takeshi-san, this is my second (actually third) question on the website… hope you don’t mind!

    May I ask if it is possible to stop by Kobe on the way back from Himeji to Osaka for approximately hour? From JR Himeji, arrive at JR Kobe, walk to Kobe Harborland (for the view of Kobe Port Tower!), go up to Nankinmachi and catch the JR train back to JR Osaka Station from JR Motomachi station? If I have more time, I would like to go to Ikuta Shrine and Kitanocho, but unfortunately that is not the case.

    Thank you!

    • Hi Winnie san,

      It’s easy to add Kobe on the way back from Kobe. I cannot say how many hours you can stay there because it depends on your time in Himeji. But I think you may spend at least half days in Kobe.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  8. k says:

    i would like to ask did kansai wide pass cover rokkomichi station? Because i planning to go mount rokko

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