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How to travel between Kobe and Tokyo
By shinkansen:
Tokyo and Kobe are connected with each other by the JR Tokaido Shinkansen. Nozomi trains require about 170 minutes to reach Shin-Kobe Station from Tokyo, while direct hikari trains require roughly 195 minutes.
The regular one way fare from Tokyo to Shin-Kobe is 13,760 Yen by non-reserved seat on any train, around 14,100 Yen by reserved seat on hikari trains and around 14,500 Yen by reserved seat on a nozomi train. The Japan Rail Pass is valid on hikari trains, but not on nozomi trains.
With the "Hikari Hayatoku Kippu", you can travel from Tokyo to Kobe by reserved seat on a hikari train for only 12,500 Yen. You have to purchase the "Hikari Hayatoku Kippu" at least one week in advance of the departure date.
By local trains:
By local trains, the one way trip from Tokyo to Kobe takes about ten hours and typically involves about four transfers of trains. The regular fare is a relatively expensive 9030 Yen, however, with a Seishun 18 Kippu you can do the trip for as little as 2300 Yen.
By airplane:
About a dozen round trips are operated between Tokyo's Haneda Airport and Kobe Airport each day by JAL, ANA and Skymark Airlines.
The regular one way fare by JAL and ANA is about 21,000 Yen, while discount tickets are typically available from around 12,000 Yen.
The one way fare by Skymark Airlines is only 10,000 Yen. Furthermore, if you book at least 49 days ahead of departure, you qualify for the Sky Bargain discount and pay only 5000 Yen for the one way journey.
By bus:
The one way trip from Tokyo to Kobe by highway bus takes about 8-9 hours. Most buses between the two cities are night buses. The competition between bus companies on the Tokyo - Osaka - Kobe route is fierce and has produced various discount offers.
The lowest one way fares start around 5000 Yen. Buses on this price level are usually standard buses, which offer little comfort. The one way trip by more comfortable buses costs around 8500 Yen. Please visit our highway bus page for more details.
Above fees and schedules are subject to change. For the current Yen exchange rate, click here.
Orientation:
Kobe's busiest railway station is not Kobe Station but Sannomiya Station in the city center. Sannomiya Station is served by half a dozen railway companies, including Japan Railways (JR). The shinkansen (bullet trains) stop at Shin-Kobe Station, a short subway ride north of Sannomiya Station.
Kobe Airport, offering domestic flights only, is located on a man made island just off the coast of central Kobe and can be reached by the Port Liner from Sannomiya Station in less than 20 minutes and for 320 Yen.
Distances between the attractions in central Kobe are relatively short, and good walkers can cover many of them on foot. There is also a tourist oriented loop bus, which connects many sites of interest in the city center for 250 Yen per ride or 650 Yen per day.
Special Tickets:
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Kobe Kanko 1 Day Coupon (2000 Yen)
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Unlimited use of subways, buses and non-JR trains in the Kobe area on one calendar day, plus a 1000 Yen coupon to be used on admission to selected tourist attractions. Available at non-JR railway stations.
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City Loop - Day Pass (650 Yen)
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Unlimited rides on the Kobe City Loop bus on one calendar day.
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Kobe City Buses - Day Pass (one day 600 Yen, two days 1000 Yen)
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Unlimited usage of Kobe city buses (not including the City Loop) on one or two consecutive calendar days.
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Subway and Bus Day Pass (1000 Yen)
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Unlimited usage of Kobe's two subway lines and Kobe city buses (not including the City Loop) on one calendar day.
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