Where to Stay in Kobe: Choosing the Right Area

The center of Kobe, where JR, Hankyu, Hanshin, the subway and the Port Liner come together, and the starting point for trips to Osaka, Kobe Airport and Arima Onsen. There are plenty of shopping streets such as Center-gai and many restaurants, and Kitano, the Former Foreign Settlement and Nankinmachi are within walking distance.

Best for

• ✓First-time visitors to Kobe
• ✓Those also heading to Osaka or Himeji
• ✓Travelers who want plenty of dining options

Nearest stations

🚉 JR Sannomiya Station; Hankyu and Hanshin Kobe-Sannomiya Station; Subway Sannomiya Station; Port Liner Sannomiya Station

An area close to Shin-Kobe Station on the Sanyo Shinkansen and the hillside streets of Kitano, lined with ijinkan, historic residences of foreign merchants. Sannomiya is within walking distance, and the subway from Shin-Kobe Station heads toward Arima Onsen.

Best for

• ✓Travelers getting around by shinkansen
• ✓Those who want to tour the ijinkan houses
• ✓Anyone who wants to stay a little away from the busy center

Keep in mind

Kitano has many slopes, so a taxi is convenient when you have a lot of luggage.

Nearest stations

🚉 JR and Subway Shin-Kobe Station

An area where you can walk along the waterfront from Nankinmachi (Chinatown) and the retro buildings of the Former Foreign Settlement to Meriken Park and the shopping complexes of Harborland. Evening strolls with views of the illuminated harbor are a highlight.

Best for

• ✓Those who want to snack their way around
• ✓Anyone who wants to see the harbor at night
• ✓Families visiting the shopping complexes or the Anpanman Children's Museum

Nearest stations

🚉 JR Motomachi and Kobe stations; Hanshin Motomachi Station; Subway Kaigan Line Harborland Station

A man-made island south of Sannomiya with large hotels, exhibition halls and Kobe Animal Kingdom. The Port Liner makes it easy to reach both Sannomiya and Kobe Airport.

Best for

• ✓Travelers using Kobe Airport
• ✓Families who want to visit Kobe Animal Kingdom

Keep in mind

There are fewer restaurants than in Sannomiya, so you will likely head to Sannomiya in the evening.

Nearest stations

🚉 Port Liner Shimin Hiroba and Keisan Kagaku Center stations

Counted among Japan's three oldest hot springs, this onsen town has many ryokan and two types of water, the gold (kinsen) and silver (ginsen) springs. Its sloping streets are lined with public baths and food stalls, and a ropeway connects it to Mt. Rokko.

Best for

• ✓Those who want to relax at a hot spring ryokan
• ✓Anyone combining Kobe sightseeing with a hot spring stay

Keep in mind

It is away from central Kobe, so allow plenty of time if you plan to sightsee around Sannomiya on the same day.

Nearest stations

🚉 Kobe Electric Railway Arima Onsen Station