Shin-Kobe is the Sanyo Shinkansen station in Kobe. It is a step away from downtown Kobe. There is subway station in Shin-Kobe too. This subway line connects Shin-Kobe and Sannomiya which is the downtown core of Kobe.
In this post, I would like to show you the structure of Shin-Kobe station. I also explain how to change the Shinkansen and Kobe city subway too.
Shinkansen Shin-Kobe station overview
Shin-Kobe station is Sanyo-Shinkansen line’s station. All trains on this Shinkansen line stop at this station. It is located in northern part of downtown Kobe. It is one station away from Kobe-Sannomiya by subway.
Station structure, tracks and platforms
Shin-Kobe station is three levels structure. On the ground level, there is entrance and the entrance to Kobe Subway Shin-Kobe station. Ticket gate and stores are on second floor. The platforms are located on third floor.
Platforms
| Track# | Lines/Trains | Destination |
| 1 | The Sanyo and the Kyushu Shinkansen | Okayama, Hiroshima, Hakata, Kagoshima-Chuo |
| 2 | The Sanyo and the Tokaido Shinkansen | Shin-Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya, Tokyo |
Shin-Kobe station has only two platforms, one platform each for eastbound and westbound. It is very simple layout. if you intend to change trains at Shin-Osaka, you may be able to change trains at Shin-Kobe too. Especially if you intend to use JR pass, you may need to change trains at Shin-Osaka when you go to west part of Japan from east side.
e.g.
Tokyo/Nagoya/Kyoto (Hikari) Shin-Osaka (Sakura) Hiroshima/Hakata
Of course, you can change trains at Shin-Osaka. But Shin-Osaka is much bigger than Shin-Kobe. You need to move platforms. You need to go up and down with luggage. There are elevators and escalators. These may help you but it is not fun. But if you do it in Shin-Kobe, just get off the train and wait for next one at same platform.
e.g.
Tokyo/Nagoya/Kyoto (Hikari) Shin-Kobe (Sakura) Hiroshima/Hakata
If you can find the train to Shin-Kobe, change trains at Shin-Kobe. It is much easier and it does not make you feel nervous.
Ticket gate/Exit
There is only one ticket gate on the second floor.
You can exit the station on the second floor and the first floor. If you catch city loop bus, the bus stop is located on the second floor. If you catch subway, proceed to the first floor. And also other bus service depart from the first floor.
Kobe Subway/Hokushin Kyuko Railway Shin-Kobe station overview
This Shin-Kobe station belong to two train companies, Kobe Subway Seishin-Yamanote line and Hokushin Kyuko Railway. But Kobe Subway train goes through Hokushin Kyuko Railway. These are technically two different train companies but you cannot see any difference. In this post, I explain this station as Kobe Subway station.
Kobe Subway Shin-Kobe station is located underground the Shinkansen Shin-Kobe station. You can get Kobe-Sannomiya and Tanigami by this subway line. Tanigami is located on the way to Arima Onsen. You can change other train to get Arima Onsen. However the bus to Arima Onsen departs from Shin-Kobe station as well. The bus is much easier to get Arima Onsen than trains because the bus takes you to Arima Onsen directly.
If you want get Kobe harbor area, you have to change trains at Kobe-Sannomiya. Please refer the post in the link below:
Please refer the map of Kobe Subway system in the link below:
Route map of Kobe Subway lines
Station structure, tracks and platforms
There are two platforms and three tracks on underground 4th floor.
Platforms
| Track# | Lines/Trains | Destination |
| 1 | Hokushin Kyuko line | Tanigami |
| 2,3 | Kobe Subway Seishin-Yamanote line | Sannomiya, Myodani Seishin-Chuo |
Ticket gate/Exit
This subway station is located just under Shin-Kobe Oriental City. There are hotel, shops and theater. You can access to this complex from any gates of subway Shin-Kobe station.
There are two ticket gates, north gate and south gate. If you catch Shinkansen, you can exit north gate. This gate connects to Shinkansen station via underground path.
If you go to Nunobiki herb garden, you can exit from south gate.
How to change the Shinkansen and subway at Shin-Kobe station
It is quite easy. But I would like to show you some photos from Kobe city subway station to the Shinkansen station.
It takes 5 minutes from ticket gate to ticket gate.
I am glad if this post makes you feel more comfortable to stop at Shin-Kobe station.
