Shinkansen, Subway, and Train Lines in Kobe, Japan

As part of our list of resources for visitors to Kobe, Japan, below is a list of train lines in Kobe, including high-speed shinkansen train service on the JR lines, the local Kobe City subway and train lines.

== The Most Popular Train Lines in Kobe

The main train lines serving Kobe are JR, Kobe New Transit, and Kobe Electric Railway. There are JR train lines in each city across Japan, with each region managed by a different JR company. In Kobe, JR lines offer convenient access not only within Hyogo prefecture, and also to nearby prefectures, such as Osaka and Kyoto. JR also operates the Shinkansen, providing high-speed travel that is significantly faster than regular trains. Kobe New Transit connects central Kobe with Kobe Airport, making it a vital route for airport commuters. Meanwhile, Kobe Electric Railway serves various neighborhoods across the Kobe region, and is the line for reaching Arima Onsen (one of Hyogo Prefecture’s most popular hot spring resorts).

Below is a list of the train lines in Kobe City.

West Japan Railway (JR-West)
Hankyu
Hanshin Electric Railway
Kobe New Transit (Port Liner to/from Kobe Airport)
Kobe Municipal Subway
Kobe Electric Railway
Sanyo Electric Railway

== West Japan Railway (JR-West)


The West Japan Railway Company (in Kobe, commonly called the JR Line) is the main railway company operating in the Kinki, Chugoku, and the northern part of Kyushu regions of Japan. The core of JR West’s operations is the Sanyo Shinkansen. In addition to the Shinkansen, the company also operates the JR Kobe Line and the JR Sanyo Line.

Sanyo Shinkansen

JR Sanyo Shinkansen is a high-speed railway line, operated by JR-West, connecting with Tokai and Kyushu Shinkansen. High-speed shinkansen train service is a popular choice for both business and leisure travelers, offering a fast and efficient way to travel between major Japanese cities.

JR Kobe Line

The JR Kobe Line is the common name for the combination of the Tōkaidō Main Line (from Osaka Station to Kobe Station) and the part of San’yō Main Line (from Kobe Station to Himeji Station). JR Kobe Line connects Kobe Station to Himeji Station.

Sanyo Line

Sanyo Line connects Kobe Station to Himeji Station.

== Hankyu


Hankyu Railway connects Kobe with Osaka’s Umeda area and Kyoto. In addition to being widely used for commuting to work or school in Kobe, it also offers direct access to Osaka-Umeda Station and many other popular sightseeing destinations without the need to transfer.

Kobe Line

The Kobe Line connects Kobe and Kyoto with Umeda, Osaka, as a main hub.

== Hanshin Electric Railway


Hanshin operates four lines – the Main Line, Hanshin Namba Line, Kobe Kosoku Line, and Mukogawa Line – that connect Kobe with the two central areas of Umeda and Namba in Osaka.

Hanshin Main Line

The Hanshin Main Line connects Kobe-Sannomiya Station to Osaka-Umeda Station.

Kobe Kosoku Line

Kobe Kosoku Line connects Kobe-Sannomiya Station to Nishidai Station.

== Kobe New Transit


Kobe New Transit operates a comprehensive transportation system based on Kobe City’s Comprehensive Basic Plan, which aims to provide convenient transportation. This transportation system provides access to Kobe Airport and Kobe International University for both commuters and students.

Port Liner

Port Liner connects Kobe-Sannomiya Station (the JR Sannomiya Station) to Kobe Airport.

Rokko Liner

Rokko Liner connects Sumiyoshi Station to Marine Park (Kobe International University Mae).

== Kobe Municipal Subway


Kobe Municipal Subway operates the main three lines; Seishin-Yamte Line, Kaigan Line, and Hokushin Line.

Seishin-Yamte Line

Seishin-Yamate Line connects Seichin-Chuo Station to Shin-Kobe Station.

Kaigan Line

Kaigan Line connects Shin-Nagata Station to Sannomiya-Hanadokeimae Station.

Hokushin Line

Hokushin Line connects Shin-Kobe Station to Tanigami Station.

== Kobe Electric Railway


Kobe Electric Railway mainly connects the mountainous inland areas of Kobe such as Arima (a tourist spot for Arima onsen).

Kobe Kosoku Line

Kobe Kosoku Line connects Shin-kaichi Station to Minatogawa Station.

Arima Line

Arima Line connects Minatogawa Station to Arima-Onsen Station.

Ao Line

Ao Line connects Suzurandai Station to Ao Station.

== Sanyo Electric Railway


Sanyo Electric Railway connects Himeji to Osaka, passing through Kobe city. There are four types of trains: local, S express, express, and direct express.

Local and S Express

These two trains connect Hanshin Kobe-Sannomiya Station to Sanyo-Himeji Station.

Express

This train connects Nishidai Station to Sanyo-Himeji Station.

Direct Express

This train connects Hanshin Osaka-Umeda Station to Sanyo Himeji Station.

See Also

Population of Kobe
Neighborhoods in Kobe, Japan
Shopping places in Kobe, Japan
Department stores in Kobe, Japan
Major train Stations in Kobe, Japan
Kobe Airport in Kobe, Japan
Onsen and hot springs at Kobe
Temples and Shrines in Kobe, Japan
Popular museums in Kobe, Japan
The best gardens and parks in Kobe City
Japanese language schools in Kobe, Japan
Colleges and Universities in Kobe, Japan
International schools in Kobe
English speaking immigration lawyers in Kobe
Co-working spaces in Kobe
Tax specialists that speak English in Kobe

And:
Shinkansen, subway, local trains, and Monorail, in Osaka, Japan
Shinkansen, train lines, and subway in Nagoya, Japan
Shinkansen, train lines, and subway in Sapporo, Japan