Kobe Airport: The Kansai Region’s Third-Largest Airport!
- Published on : 27/07/2026
- by : Phoebe
- Youtube
Aéroport de Kobe
@Wkimedia, CC BY 2.5
Located on an artificial island in Osaka Bay, Kobe Airport is the third airport serving the Kansai region, alongside Kansai International Airport (KIX) and Osaka Itami Airport (ITM). Modern, compact, and easy to navigate, it provides an excellent gateway to explore Kobe, Osaka, Kyoto, and even Awaji Island. Discover it with Japan Experience.
Terminals and Airlines
Opened in 2006, Kobe Airport primarily serves domestic flights, but it is gradually expanding its international network with the launch of new routes across Asia.
Main Terminal
Unlike Japan’s major airport hubs, Kobe Airport has a single terminal that handles both domestic and international departures.
The main domestic destinations include:
- Tokyo (Haneda Airport)
- Sapporo (New Chitose Airport)
- Sendai
- Okinawa (Naha Airport)
- Kagoshima
- Nagasaki
- Kumamoto
- Miyazaki
- Oita
- Aomori (seasonal service)
Aéroport de Kobe
@Wikimedia, libre de droits
The terminal offers a range of convenient services, including:
- Cafés and restaurants
- Souvenir shops
- Convenience stores
- Airport lounges
- Car rental counters
- Tourist information center
Since 2025, Kobe Airport has also welcomed a growing number of international flights, primarily to destinations across East Asia.
The main international destinations include:
- Seoul
- Shanghai
- Taipei
- Nanjing (seasonal service)
Additional regional destinations are expected to be added as the international network continues to expand.
Japanese Airlines
The following are the main Japanese airlines operating from Kobe Airport.
ANA (All Nippon Airways)
ANA operates several daily flights to Tokyo Haneda, as well as services to various destinations in southern Japan.
Skymark Airlines
Kobe Airport serves as Skymark Airlines' main hub.
The airline operates flights to:
- Tokyo Haneda
- Sapporo
- Okinawa
- Nagasaki
- Kagoshima
- Sendai
- Ibaraki
Solaseed Air
Solaseed Air primarily operates flights between Kobe and Kyushu.
Air Do
Air Do connects Kobe with Sapporo New Chitose.
StarFlyer
StarFlyer operates flights to Tokyo Haneda.
Main International Airlines
With the opening of the international terminal, several Asian airlines now serve Kobe Airport.
South Korea
Airlines:
- Korean Air
- Air Busan
- Jeju Air
Destination:
- Seoul
Taiwan
Airlines:
- EVA Air
- STARLUX Airlines
Destination:
- Taipei
Mainland China
Several airlines operate flights to:
- Shanghai
- Nanjing
Kobe Airport's international route network continues to expand.
An Ideal Airport for Exploring the Kansai Region
Kobe Airport enjoys a prime waterfront location and offers direct access to the city's rail network, making it easy to reach many of Kansai's most popular tourist destinations.
From Kobe Airport, you can easily travel to:
- Kobe
- Sannomiya
- Osaka
- Kyoto
- Himeji
- Nara
- Arima Onsen
- Awaji Island
- Mount Rokko
La tour du port de Kobe
@Unsplash
Discover the Kansai region with our tours, thoughtfully designed by Japan travel experts!
Getting to and from Kobe Airport
How to reach Kobe city center by train?
The easiest way is to take the Port Liner, an automated train line that provides a direct connection between the airport and Sannomiya Station.
Travel times:
- Port Terminal: approximately 10 minutes
- Sannomiya: approximately 18 minutes
The journey costs around 340 yen.
From Sannomiya, you can easily connect to:
- JR lines
- Hankyu Railway
- Hanshin Railway
- Kobe Subway
Port Liner
@Wikimedia, CC0
IC cards (ICOCA, Suica, PASMO, etc.) are accepted.
Getting to the rest of the Kansai region
From Sannomiya, several train lines provide quick connections to:
- Osaka (20 to 30 minutes)
- Kyoto (approximately 55 minutes)
- Himeji (40 minutes)
- Nara (with a transfer)
- Kansai International Airport via bus or ferry
The JR Kansai Area Pass covers a large portion of regional train journeys.
Kobe-Sannomiya
@Wikimedia, CC BY 2.0
Discover the Kansai region with our rail passes and train tickets!
How to get to Kobe Airport by bus?
Buses provide direct connections between the airport and several destinations, including:
- Arima Onsen
- Osaka
- Universal Studios Japan (seasonal service)
- Awaji Island
- Various cities across Hyogo Prefecture
Long-distance highway buses also connect Kobe Airport with other regions of Japan.
Tickets can be purchased from ticket machines or directly from the driver, depending on the route.
Getting to the airport by taxi
A taxi is a convenient option if you are traveling with a lot of luggage.
For reference:
- Sannomiya: approximately 20 minutes
- Shin-Kobe: approximately 30 minutes
Expect to pay around:
- 2,000 to 3,000 yen to Sannomiya
- 3,500 to 5,000 yen to Shin-Kobe
A taxi stand is located in front of the terminal.
Les taxis au Japon
@Unsplash
Renting a Car
Renting a car is an ideal way to explore the areas around Kobe, including the coastline, Awaji Island, and northern Hyogo Prefecture.
The main rental car companies available are:
- Toyota Rent a Car
- Nissan Rent a Car
- Nippon Rent-A-Car
- Times Car Rental
- ORIX Rent a Car
A car is especially recommended for visiting:
- Arima Onsen
- Awaji Island
- Himeji Castle
- Setonaikai National Park
- The Hyogo coastline.
Need your driving license translated? Japan Experience can help!
Services in and Around Kobe Airport
Kobe Airport offers all the essential services you need while waiting for your flight.
Dining
The terminal features several restaurants showcasing local cuisine.
Popular options include:
- Restaurants specializing in the famous Kobe beef
- Cafés serving Japanese pastries
- Ramen restaurants
- Japanese curry restaurants
- Cafés offering bay views
Bœuf de Kobe
@Unsplash
Shopping
The airport shops offer a chance to discover specialties from Kobe and the Kansai region.
You will find, among other items:
- Kobe Pudding
- Kobe Frantz confectionery
- Butter cookies
- Nada sake
- Kobe beef products
- Artisanal sweets
Marque de confiserie Frantz Kobe
@frantz.co_.jp
Convenience Stores and Everyday Essentials
Several convenience stores (konbini) allow travelers to purchase drinks and snacks.
You will find, in particular:
- FamilyMart
- Lawson
Duty Free shops
The international terminal features a Duty Free store offering:
- Cosmetics
- Alcohol
- Japanese specialties
- Luxury goods
Lounges
Premium travelers can access several relaxation areas.
The main lounge offers, in particular:
- Drinks
- Free Wi-Fi
- Power outlets
- Workspaces
- Comfortable seating areas
Luggage Storage and Delivery Services
Automatic luggage lockers (coin lockers) are available in the terminal, allowing you to store bags and suitcases for a few hours or for an entire day.
The airport also offers a luggage delivery service (Takkyubin), which is ideal for having your suitcases sent directly to your hotel or next destination.
Coin lockers
Flickr haru__q
Hotels Near the Airport
For early departures or late arrivals, several hotels are located nearby. These include:
For a stay in a private accommodation, consider our rental homes!
Portopia
@portopia.co_.jp
Must-See Experiences at the Airport
Although Kobe Airport is smaller than Kansai International Airport, it offers several points of interest.
Observation Deck
One of the region’s most beautiful panoramic terraces offers views of:
- Takeoffs and landings
- Kobe Port
- The Akashi Kaikyō Bridge
- Osaka Bay
On clear days, you can even see Awaji Island in the distance.
Terrasse d'observation de l'aéroport de Kobe
@Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 2.5
Seasonal Events
Depending on the time of year, the airport hosts:
- Local product markets
- Family-friendly activities
- Temporary exhibitions
- Events related to the Kobe Port Festival
Things to Do Near Kobe Airport
Several attractions can be reached within less than an hour.
- Harborland and Meriken Park: Located around 20 minutes from the airport, this iconic Kobe waterfront district combines seaside promenades, shopping centers, and restaurants near the famous Kobe Port Tower.
- Arima Onsen: One of Japan’s oldest hot spring resorts, Arima Onsen can be reached in less than an hour. Its ryokan (traditional inns) and hot springs have attracted visitors for more than a thousand years.
- Himeji Castle: Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Himeji Castle is one of Japan’s most beautiful castles. It can be reached in less than an hour by train from Kobe.
- Mount Rokko: Accessible by cable car or bus, Mount Rokko offers spectacular views over Osaka Bay, as well as hiking trails, a botanical garden, and several museums that appeal to visitors of all ages.
Parc Meriken
@Unsplash
Passing through the Kansai region? Discover the city from a different perspective with our activities!
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