update URLs and information
← Older revision
Revision as of 00:27, 24 August 2014
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{{pagebanner|Kobe banner Night panorama.jpg}}
{{pagebanner|Kobe banner Night panorama.jpg}}
−
'''Kōbe''' (神戸)
[http://www.feel-kobe.jp/
english
/] is one of [[Japan]]'s underappreciated cities. A cosmopolitan port city with an international flavor, hemmed in by Mt. Rokko, it constantly comes up number one in expatriate rankings of the best place to live in Japan.
+
[http://www.feel-kobe.jp/
_en
/
'''Kōbe''' (神戸)
] is one of [[Japan]]'s underappreciated cities. A cosmopolitan port city with an international flavor, hemmed in by Mt. Rokko, it constantly comes up number one in expatriate rankings of the best place to live in Japan.
[[File:Port of Kobe01s3780.jpg|thumb|500px|Port of Kobe]]
[[File:Port of Kobe01s3780.jpg|thumb|500px|Port of Kobe]]
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==Get in==
==Get in==
===By plane===
===By plane===
−
'''Kobe Airport''' (神戸空港, '''UKB''')
[http://www.kairport.co.jp/
], built on reclaimed land in front of the harbor, opened in February 2006. The airport handles domestic flights only: both Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA) have flights to Kobe from [[Tokyo]] Haneda, [[Sapporo]], [[Sendai]], [[Okinawa]], and [[Kagoshima]]. ANA also offers service from [[Niigata]], while JAL has flights from [[Kumamoto]]. A new low-cost airline, Skymark [http://www.skymark.co.jp/en/index.html], is offering cheap flights to and from Tokyo as well as [[Naha]].
+
[http://www.kairport.co.jp/
'''Kobe Airport''' (神戸空港, '''UKB''')], built on reclaimed land in front of the harbor, opened in February 2006. The airport handles domestic flights only: both Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA) have flights to Kobe from [[Tokyo]] Haneda, [[Sapporo]], [[Sendai]], [[Okinawa]], and [[Kagoshima]]. ANA also offers service from [[Niigata]], while JAL has flights from [[Kumamoto]]. A new low-cost airline, Skymark [http://www.skymark.co.jp/en/index.html], is offering cheap flights to and from Tokyo as well as [[Naha]].
From Kobe Airport, the Port Liner light rail runs about every 10 minutes, reaching Sannomiya in less than 20 minutes (¥320) for easy connections to the Japan Rail (JR), Hanshin, Hankyu and subway lines. From there, a small trip on the subway will link you to the Shin-Kobe bullet train station (¥200). If coming ''from'' Sannomiya to the airport, be sure to board a train marked "Kobe Airport", as some head to the Kita Futo branch line instead.
From Kobe Airport, the Port Liner light rail runs about every 10 minutes, reaching Sannomiya in less than 20 minutes (¥320) for easy connections to the Japan Rail (JR), Hanshin, Hankyu and subway lines. From there, a small trip on the subway will link you to the Shin-Kobe bullet train station (¥200). If coming ''from'' Sannomiya to the airport, be sure to board a train marked "Kobe Airport", as some head to the Kita Futo branch line instead.
−
The nearest international airport is [[Kansai International Airport]]. The fastest way to get there is on the
Kaijo Access
[http://www.kobe-access
.co
.jp/
]
high-speed ferry from Kobe Airport, which runs every 45 minutes or so, taking 29 minutes one-way (¥1500). However, if coming from central Kobe, it's nearly as fast and less of a hassle to take the Airport Limousine bus. Airport buses cost ¥2000, and the run to Sannomiya takes 65 to 75 minutes depending on whether the bus travels directly to Sannomiya or stops first on Rokko Island. Alternatively, the JR Rapid Express connecting at Osaka about as fast and more dependable. By JR, the ride costs ¥2410 and lasts 90 minutes, taking the ''Kanku Kaisoku'' (関空快速) rapid to Osaka station and changing there to the ''Shin-kaisoku'' (新快速 - Special Rapid) that runs to both Sannomiya and Kobe stations.
+
The nearest international airport is [[Kansai International Airport]]. The fastest way to get there is on the [http://www.kobe-access.jp/
en/ferry.html Kaijo Access
high-speed ferry
]
from Kobe Airport, which runs every 45 minutes or so, taking 29 minutes one-way (¥1500). However, if coming from central Kobe, it's nearly as fast and less of a hassle to take the Airport Limousine bus. Airport buses cost ¥2000, and the run to Sannomiya takes 65 to 75 minutes depending on whether the bus travels directly to Sannomiya or stops first on Rokko Island. Alternatively, the JR Rapid Express connecting at Osaka about as fast and more dependable. By JR, the ride costs ¥2410 and lasts 90 minutes, taking the ''Kanku Kaisoku'' (関空快速) rapid to Osaka station and changing there to the ''Shin-kaisoku'' (新快速 - Special Rapid) that runs to both Sannomiya and Kobe stations.
Finally, if you land at Itami Airport in [[Osaka]], airport buses run to Sannomiya in 40 minutes and cost ¥1020.
Finally, if you land at Itami Airport in [[Osaka]], airport buses run to Sannomiya in 40 minutes and cost ¥1020.
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A number of ferry services are available from Kobe, including routes to:
A number of ferry services are available from Kobe, including routes to:
−
*[[Takamatsu]]: Jumbo Ferry, 078-327-
3111
. 3 1/2 hours; ¥1,
800
.
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*[[Takamatsu]]:
[http://www.ferry.co.jp/
Jumbo Ferry
]
, 078-327-
3333
. 3 1/2 hours; ¥1,
600
.
−
*[[Kitakyushu]]:
Hankyu Ferry, 078-857-1211
[http://www.han9f.co.jp/
17english%20site
/
e
-
index.htm]
. 12 hours; ¥7,400+.
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*[[Kitakyushu]]: [http://www.han9f.co.jp/
en
/
Hankyu Ferry], 078
-
857-1211
. 12 hours; ¥7,400+.
−
*[[Oita]]:
Diamond
Ferry,
078
-857-
9525
.
12
hours; ¥
8
,
800
+
. Also stops at [[Matsuyama]]
.
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*[[Oita]]:
[http://www.ferry-sunflower.co.jp/language/english/
Ferry
Sunflower]
,
0078
-857-
1988
.
6.5
hours; ¥
12
,
870
+.
−
*[[
Beppu
]]:
Kansai Kisen, 06-6572-5181
[http://www.
kanki.co
.
jp
/
foreign
/
about
.
htm
].
12
hours
; ¥
8
,
800
+
. Also stops at Matsuyama
.
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*[[
Okinawa
]]: [http://www.
aline-ferry
.
com
/
hanshin
/
hanshin
.
html Maruei Ferry
]
, 078-857-3901
.
3
days
; ¥
21
,
790
+.
−
*[[Okinawa]]: Maruei Ferry, 078-857-3901. 3 days; ¥18,800+. Also stops at [[Miyazaki]].
−
*[[Shanghai]]: Japan-China Ferry, 078-321-5791 (Japan) or 021-6326-4357 (China). 45 hours; ¥20,000+.
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*[[Tianjin]]: China Express Line, 03-3537-3107 (Japan) or 022-2420-5777 (China) [http://celkobe.co.jp/english/unkou.html]. 50 hours; ¥22,000+.
==Get around==
==Get around==
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* {{drink
* {{drink
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| name=Sone | alt= | url=http://
kto
.
co.jp
/
new/modules/booklists/viewcat.php?cid=24&orderby=titleD
| email=
+
| name=Sone | alt= | url=http://
kobe-sone
.
com
/ | email=
| address=1-24-10 Nakayamate-dori | lat= | long= | directions=in Kitano just north of Sannomiya station
| address=1-24-10 Nakayamate-dori | lat= | long= | directions=in Kitano just north of Sannomiya station
| phone=+81 78-221-2055 | tollfree= | fax=
| phone=+81 78-221-2055 | tollfree= | fax=
Line 366:
Line 366:
Kōbe has a wide variety of accommodation, ranging from love hotels near Shin-Kobe to luxury hotels by the waterfront. If you're looking for cheaper alternatives, ask at the tourist information office in Sannomiya station (they speak English).
Kōbe has a wide variety of accommodation, ranging from love hotels near Shin-Kobe to luxury hotels by the waterfront. If you're looking for cheaper alternatives, ask at the tourist information office in Sannomiya station (they speak English).
−
If you don't find a hotel, Osaka is only 20 minutes away on the JR line for ¥390.
+
If you don't find a hotel,
[[
Osaka
]]
is only 20 minutes away on the JR line for ¥390.
* {{sleep
* {{sleep
−
| name=
Kobe
Harborland
New
Otani
| alt= | url=http://www.
newotani.co
.jp
/en
/kobe/
index.php
| email=
+
| name=
Hotel
Crown
Palais
Kobe
| alt= | url=http://www.
crownpalais
.jp/kobe/ | email=
−
| address= | lat= | long= | directions=
+
| address=
1-3-5 Higashi-kawasaki-cho, Chuo-ku
| lat= | long= | directions=
−
| phone = +81 78-
360
-
1111
| tollfree= | fax=
+
| phone = +81 78-
362
-
1155
| tollfree= | fax=
| price= | checkin= | checkout=
| price= | checkin= | checkout=
−
| content=
1-3-5 Higashi-kawasaki-cho, Chuo-ku. A member of the prestigious New Otani chain. While not quite swanky as its Tokyo flagship, the
location near JR Kōbe station is good and internet rates can be had for around ¥10,000 a night (plus taxes).
+
| content=
The
location near JR Kōbe station is good and internet rates can be had for around ¥10,000 a night (plus taxes).
}}
}}
* '''Hotel Tor Road''', 3-1-19 Nakayamate-dori, Chuo-ku, tel. 078-391-6691, fax 078-391-6570, e-mail htorroad@oak.ocn.ne.jp. Convenient location in the heart of Kobe's main shopping and dining area between Sannomiya and Motomachi train stations. New Muenchen Tor Road beer cellar right next door. Singles ¥7500-9000, doubles/twins ¥15,000-19,000.
* '''Hotel Tor Road''', 3-1-19 Nakayamate-dori, Chuo-ku, tel. 078-391-6691, fax 078-391-6570, e-mail htorroad@oak.ocn.ne.jp. Convenient location in the heart of Kobe's main shopping and dining area between Sannomiya and Motomachi train stations. New Muenchen Tor Road beer cellar right next door. Singles ¥7500-9000, doubles/twins ¥15,000-19,000.
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* '''Kobe Bay Sheraton''', 2-13 Koyocho-naka, Higashinada-ku, tel. 078-857-7000, or 1-800-325-3535 (from U.S. only)
, [http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=772&language=en_EN]
. Rokko-island near Island-center station (Rokko Liner Line). Various prices.
+
*
[http://www.sheraton-kobe.co.jp/
'''Kobe Bay Sheraton'''
]
, 2-13 Koyocho-naka, Higashinada-ku, tel. 078-857-7000, or 1-800-325-3535 (from U.S. only). Rokko-island near Island-center station (Rokko Liner Line). Various prices.
* {{sleep
* {{sleep
−
| name=Kobe Kur Haus (神戸クアハウス) | alt= | url= | email=
+
| name=Kobe Kur Haus (神戸クアハウス) | alt= | url=
http://www.kobe-kua-house.com/
| email=
−
| address= | lat= | long= | directions=
+
| address=
3-10-15 Ninomiya-chou, Chuo-ku
| lat= | long= | directions=
| phone = +81 78-222-3755 | tollfree= | fax=
| phone = +81 78-222-3755 | tollfree= | fax=
| price= | checkin= | checkout=
| price= | checkin= | checkout=
−
| content=
3-10-15 Ninomiya-chou, Chuo-ku.
8 minutes walking from Sannomiya station (Hankyu, Hanshin, JR Line). Spa and capsule hotel with a floor exclusively for women. ¥3,300 to ¥4,600.
+
| content=8 minutes walking from Sannomiya station (Hankyu, Hanshin, JR Line). Spa and capsule hotel with a floor exclusively for women. ¥3,300 to ¥4,600.
}}
}}
* '''Ninomiya Ryokan (二宮旅館)''', 1-10-6 Kotonoo-chou, Chuo-ku. 6 minutes walking from Sannomiya station (Hankyu, Hanshin, JR Line). Single room ¥4,000.
* '''Ninomiya Ryokan (二宮旅館)''', 1-10-6 Kotonoo-chou, Chuo-ku. 6 minutes walking from Sannomiya station (Hankyu, Hanshin, JR Line). Single room ¥4,000.
−
* '''Kobe Kitano hotel (神戸北野ホテル)''', 3-3-20 Yamamoto-dori, Chuo-ku. 15 minutes away from Sannomiya station (Hankyu, Hanshin, JR Line). Twin rooms from 26,250 yen
[http://www.kobe-kitanohotel.co.jp/en/index.html]
. Its owner and chef was a cook at Le Relais Bernard Loiseau (a restaurant in France, Michelin 3 stars restaurant). This hotel's plan includes dinner and breakfast.
+
*
[http://www.kobe-kitanohotel.co.jp/en/
'''Kobe Kitano hotel (神戸北野ホテル)'''
]
, 3-3-20 Yamamoto-dori, Chuo-ku. 15 minutes away from Sannomiya station (Hankyu, Hanshin, JR Line). Twin rooms from 26,250 yen. Its owner and chef was a cook at Le Relais Bernard Loiseau (a restaurant in France, Michelin 3 stars restaurant). This hotel's plan includes dinner and breakfast.
*{{sleep
*{{sleep
Line 402:
Line 402:
*{{sleep
*{{sleep
−
| name=Kobe
Dears
'
Backpacker
House | url=http://www.kobe-
dears
.com/english/
index
.php | email=
+
| name=Kobe
Stockers
'
Share
House
at Uozaki
| url=http://www.kobe-
stockers
.com/english/
uozaki
.php | email=
| address=4-2-1 Minami Uozaki, Higashinada, 658-0025 | lat= | long= | directions=10 minute walk from Hanshin Uozaki Station, a 10 minute train ride from Sannomiya
| address=4-2-1 Minami Uozaki, Higashinada, 658-0025 | lat= | long= | directions=10 minute walk from Hanshin Uozaki Station, a 10 minute train ride from Sannomiya
| phone = +81 70-6453-1583 | tollfree= | fax=
| phone = +81 70-6453-1583 | tollfree= | fax=
−
| hours= | price=
Dorms
¥
2
,
500
, singles ¥
3
,
900
, twins/doubles ¥
6,400, triples ¥9
,000
+
| hours= | price=
2-week rates: dorms
¥
19
,
000
, singles ¥
32
,
000
, twins/doubles ¥
36
,000
| checkin= | checkout=
| checkin= | checkout=
−
| content=Cosy little
backpacker
hostel.
+
| content=Cosy little hostel
for a longer stay
.
}}
}}