Osaka to Kobe Travel: The Best Way to Get There

Visit the Charming City of Kobe from Osaka

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Kobe City in Hyogo Prefecture is one of Japan's most iconic and historic port cities, renowned for its beautiful streetscape where Western and Japanese cultures blend seamlessly. In the Kitano Ijinkan district, you can admire charming Western-style architecture, while Meriken Park offers stunning modern harbor views. Kobe also boasts a vibrant Chinatown, making it a true melting pot of cultures. For nighttime sightseeing, the view from Mount Rokko, celebrated as one of Japan's top three nights views, is a must-see.

No visit to Kobe is complete without indulging in its world-famous Kobe beef and other exquisite local cuisine. The city is also known for its unique Western-inspired sweets, such as Kobe pudding and traditional German-style bread, which make excellent souvenirs for dessert lovers.

Kobe is just a 30-minute train ride from Osaka, making it extremely accessible and an easy addition to an Osaka trip. Whether you're looking for sightseeing, gourmet experiences, or shopping, Kobe offers endless ways to enjoy your visit. Don't miss the chance to explore this fascinating city!

How to Get from Osaka to Kobe

By Train
1. JR Line: The Easiest Route
2. Hankyu Railway: A Slightly Cheaper Option
3. Hanshin Electric Railway: The Third Railway Option
4. Shinkansen: Is It Worth it With a JR Pass?!
By Bus: From Universal Studios Japan and the KIX Airport
By Car: For Road Trips and Transporting Large Luggage
By Ferry: Take the Bay Shuttle Between Airports

Standard Method: Train Travel

The most typical way to travel to Kobe from Osaka is by trains serviced by JR (Japan Railway), Hankyu Railway, or Hanshin Electric Railway. The route is simple without passengers having to make any transfers. However, taking the bus, driving a car, or boarding a ferry may be more convenient depending on your travel route and situation.

In this article, we'll introduce seven ways to access the city with the assumption that you will be heading to the heart of Kobe as your final destination and alight at Sannomiya or JR Kobe Station.

1. JR Line: Simple and Easiest Route to Understand

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The first transportation method is taking a JR train from Osaka Station. Board the special rapid bound for Himeji, which arrives and departs from platform 4. You will arrive at Sannomiya Station in Kobe in 25 minutes, which costs 460 yen.

2. Hankyu Railway: A Slightly Cheaper Option

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The second way is to take the limited express on the Hankyu Railway from Hankyu Umeda Station. Get off at Hankyu Kobe-Sannomiya Station. It costs 330 yen and the travel time is 27 minutes. You can reach the city in nearly the same amount of time as the JR line with the fee being slightly cheaper.

Hankyu Kobe-Sannomiya Station is also nearby JR Sannomiya Station and Kobe Municipal Subway Sannomiya Station. It is about 1.2 kilometers away from Shin-Kobe Station serviced by the Shinkansen (bullet train).

By the way, please be aware that there are at least six stations that have the name “Umeda” in Osaka.

3. Hanshin Electric Railway: The Third Railway Option

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The third method is taking a train on the Hanshin Electric Railway from Hanshin Osaka-Umeda Station, then alighting at Hanshin Kobe-Sannomiya Station. The travel time is 31 minutes and costs 330 yen.

Kobe-Sannomiya Station, serviced by both Hanshin and Hankyu, and JR Sannomiya Station are connected to one another. However, let’s be cautious not to mix them up when boarding the train.

Additionally, Hanshin and Hankyu were originally rival companies. However, the two companies merged under the same group following the Great Hanshin Earthquake in 1995.

Hanshin railway typically services traditional downtown areas, while Hankyu railway is known to service trendy areas like Takarazuka. The Hankyu Hanshin 1-Day Pass (Japanese) (1,600 yen for adults) is a day pass that grants the holder unlimited rides for one day on both railways. Free rides on all Hankyu train lines, all Hanshin train lines, and all Kobe Express lines for one person on any one day during the valid period.。

*The “HANSHIN TOURIST PASS” sales ended on March 31, 2024 (Sunday). Customers who purchase the HANSHIN TOURIST PASS online by March 31, 2024 will be able to exchange the 2D code for one year from the date of purchase.

4. Shinkansen: Is It Worth it With a Japan Rail Pass?!

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Osaka and Kobe are also connected by the Shinkansen (bullet train). If you take the Shinkansen, it will take 12 minutes from JR Shin-Osaka Station to JR Shin-Kobe Station. The train fare is 660 yen. For the Shinkansen, there is an additional fee of 870 yen for non-reserved seats or 2,610 yen for reserved seats, and 3,380 yen for Green car seats.

At a glance, it may seem like the fastest method. However, it isn’t necessarily any faster than the other transportation routes. It takes about 15 minutes on foot to get from JR Shin-Kobe Station to JR Sannomiya Station and Kobe-Sannomiya Station on the Hanshin and Hankyu Railways.

However, the Shinkansen is a convenient mode of transportation for those running errands in the Shin-Osaka and Shin-Kobe Station areas.

If you are visiting from overseas and have a Japan Rail Pass or JR Kansai WIDE Area Pass, then you can use it for the Shinkansen. These passes allow the holder unlimited rides on Shinkansen trains with the exception of Nozomi trains.
Book Osaka - Kobe Shinkansen tickets

By Bus: From Universal Studios Japan and the Airport

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You can also travel back and forth between Osaka and Kobe by bus.

Buses bound for Sannomiya in Kobe depart from Universal Studios Japan (USJ) and Itami Airport (Osaka International Airport) in Osaka. If you depart from USJ, the travel time to Sannomiya is about 40 minutes and costs 700 yen (Shinki Bus). If you depart from Itami Airport, then the travel time to Sannomiya is also 40 minutes and costs 1,070 yen (Airport Limousine Bus).

Taking the bus is a great option if you travel to Kobe from these places.

By Car: For Road Trips and Transporting Large Luggage

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You can also access to Kobe from Osaka by driving. Travel time from Osaka Station to JR Sannomiya Station is about 40 to 60 minutes depending on the traffic. Highway toll fees will be 1,320 yen, with gasoline expenses added on top of that. Taxi will cost approximately 11,000 yen in addition to the highway toll fee.
At a glance, you may feel like a car has few financial benefits compared to trains. However, it would cost the same as the train or be slightly cheaper if you are traveling with four or more people.

Do you plan on traveling to other sightseeing destinations like Arima Onsen or Kinosaki Onsen? Are you planning to shop a lot and carry around large amounts of luggage? Then a car would be convenient in these situations.

There are several rental car shops in the Osaka and Kobe areas. If you’re looking to rent a car, then please check out price comparison websites like Klook. MATCHA also offers a 10% discount coupon for Nippon Rent-A-Car that is exclusive to international visitors. Be sure to check out this option if you’re visiting from overseas!

By Ferry: Take the Bay Shuttle Between Airports

Lastly, we’ll introduce a unique mode of transportation you’ll only find in the port city of Kobe.

You can travel between Kansai International Airport and Kobe Airport in 30 minutes by the Bay Shuttle, a high-speed ferry.Fares cost 1,880 yen one-way, but you will receive a discount by purchasing a roundtrip ticket priced at 3,060 yen. For round-trip tickets on the same day, the cost will be 2,510 yen.

A great amenity that Bay Shuttle provides is a free private parking lot at Kobe terminal. The complimentary parking is free regardless of the number of nights your vehicle is there during your trip. Why not take advantage of this parking lot if you’re traveling by car since parking fees cost over 1,000 yen per day?

Things to Do at Shin-Kobe Station

The Shin-Kobe Station offers a concentrated selection of gourmet foods that one must taste when in Kobe. Try the Japanese « sozai » bread with unique fillings or toppings at « Kobeya » bakery, popular cookies at the long-established confectionery store « Freundlieb », prepackaged curry made with Kobe beef at « Hotel ISAGO » and so on.

If you have time, be sure to visit « Kotonohako », a shopping mall directly connected to Shin-Kobe Station. It has many restaurants and several souvenir stores. Here we introduce two of them.

Hyogo Prefecture Omiage Store « Hakkutsuya »

« Omiage » and not « omiyage » in the store name is not a misnomer for « souvenir ». It comes from the etymology of the word « souvenir », « miage », meaning to « look at carefully, choose well and offer to others ». With the concept « no-fail souvenirs », the store offers a selection of chosen items from all over Hyogo Prefecture.

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/hakkutsuya/

Kobe Beef Restaurant « Kobe Beef Gallery »

Visitors will receive a simple history of Kobe beef and an introduction to restaurants serving authentic Kobe beef. Of course, Kobe beef lunch and dinner can be enjoyed here as well. Reservations required.

URL:https://en.kobebeef.gallery/pages/guide

Enjoy Your Osaka and Kobe Travels!

Osaka and Kobe are both charming cities with tons to see, eat, and experience! Choose the travel method that best fits your trip and make the most of your time in both Kansai cities!