Key points of Kobe Port
- Most large foreign cruise ships dock at Kobe Port Terminal on Pier 4 of the new port. It's about a 1-minute walk from Port Terminal Station on the Port Liner and about a 5-minute walk from Sannomiya Station.
- Located near Sannomiya and Motomachi, it offers quick access to places like Nankinmachi (Chinatown), Kitano Ijinkan (foreign residences), and Meriken Park.
- It's a gateway to Kansai tourism, offering easy day trips to Kyoto and Osaka, as well as opportunities to visit Arima Onsen and Himeji Castle.
Last verified: September 29, 2026 (Source at the end of this page)
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Visiting Japan on a cruise?
Landing permits, all-aboard time, cash and cards, getting around, tax-free shopping and what to do in an emergency: see our Port Day Guide for cruise passengers. Working on board? See the Crew Guide (shore leave, sign-on, shopping near the terminal).
Emergency: 110 police / 119 ambulance & fire / Japan Visitor Hotline +81-50-3816-2787 (24/7, English, Chinese, Korean)
What kind of port is Kobe Port?
Kobe Port is an international trading port that opened in 1868. Located near ancient capitals such as Kyoto and Nara, and serving as the eastern gateway to the Seto Inland Sea, it is a popular port for many cruise ships.
Kobe Port Terminal has welcomed numerous passenger ships since its opening in 1970, and can accommodate two ships simultaneously at its east and west piers.
History of Kobe Port
| Year | event |
|---|---|
| 1868 | Hyogo Port (present-day Kobe Port) was opened. A foreign settlement was established. |
| 1970 | Kobe Port Terminal opens |
| 1995 | It was damaged in the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake and subsequently recovered. |
Docking location and access
| Main docking locations | Kobe Port Terminal (Shinko Pier No. 4) |
|---|---|
| Nearest station | Approximately 1 minute walk from Port Liner "Port Terminal" Station. |
| Sannomiya Station | Approximately 5 minutes by Port Liner / Approximately 10 minutes by taxi |
Depending on the ship, it may dock at a different pier, such as the central pier. Please check the onboard information to confirm the docking location.
Useful information about the port (tourist information, currency exchange, ATMs, Wi-Fi)
These are the facilities at Kobe Port Terminal (based on information confirmed from official sources).
| Currency exchange | There is a foreign currency exchange machine (SMART EXCHANGE) on the second floor. It is open from 8:00 to 17:30. It only exchanges 12 currencies, including US dollars, Euros, Chinese Yuan, and South Korean Won, into Japanese Yen. |
|---|
If you want to withdraw Japanese yen using a card issued overseas,Seven Bank ATM(Seven-Eleven, etc.)Japan Post Bank ATMIt's convenient. You can find ATMs on the map below.
Terminal facilities and operating hours may vary depending on the port call date and time of year. (Date confirmed: September 29, 2026 Source:SMART EXCHANGE "Kobe Port Terminal"）
To Crew Members (Shopping during short shore leave)
Kobe Harborland umie, located approximately 0.8km in a straight line from Nakatottei, has a collection of stores including Uniqlo. Nearby supermarkets and drugstores can be found on the map below. For information on landing procedures, tax exemption, and ATMs, please see below.Guide for Crew StaffPlease take a look.
Recommended ways to spend your time depending on the length of your port call
Sannomiya/Motomachi area (2-3 hours)
- ChinatownKobe's Chinatown is located in Motomachi. It's fun to eat while strolling around.
- Kobe Port Tower and Meriken ParkThe red tower that is a symbol of the port, and the park along the waterfront.
- Kitano Ijinkan DistrictA town on a slope lined with Western-style buildings from the Meiji and Taisho periods.
Take a trip (half a day to a full day)
- Arima OnsenA hot spring resort considered to be one of the oldest in Japan.
- Himeji CastleA World Heritage site castle also known as White Heron Castle.
Port town cuisine
- Kobe Beef: A world-renowned brand of beef. Served teppanyaki style.
- Chinese food: Pork buns and dim sum in Nankinmachi.
- Western-style confectionery: The port city of Kobe is also famous for having many sweets shops.
You can post reviews of places you've actually visited by clicking "Write a review" at the bottom of this page.
Port town gourmet guide:Kobe beef from Kobe Port(Where to eat? Restaurant map)
Map of shops around the port
These are restaurants around Kobe Port. Clicking on a restaurant on the map will show you its opening hours and customer reviews (Google Maps). Please check in advance whether the restaurant is open on the day of the port call.
Cruise ship viewing and photography spots
Here are some places in Kobe Port where you can see cruise ships (based on official information).
| Kobe Port Terminal (Shinko Pier No. 4) | The observation deck stretches over 300 meters from north to south, offering views of the cruise ship from various angles. It's located right next to Port Liner's "Port Terminal" station (about 5 minutes from Sannomiya). When ships arrive, welcoming ceremonies such as musical performances and water displays by fireboats are sometimes held. |
|---|---|
| Nakatottei Passenger Terminal | You can enjoy watching cruise ships arrive and depart up close while strolling through Meriken Park and Harborland. It's about a 9-minute walk from Minato Motomachi subway station. |
When and which ship will arrive can be found in the section below titled "Passenger ships arriving at this port" orCruise ship arrivals scheduled for this week and next week.You can check this. Arrival and departure times may change due to weather conditions, etc. (Date checked: September 30, 2026 Source:Kobe's official tourism website, Feel KOBE: "Luxury cruise ships to see in the port city of Kobe"）
Upcoming cruise ship calls (next 30 days)
- Thu, Oct 1 TodayASUKA IIIArr. 09:00 / Dep. 17:00
- Sun, Oct 4 This weekMITSUI OCEAN SAKURAArr. 09:00 / Dep. —
- Wed, Oct 7 This weekMITSUI OCEAN SAKURAArr. — / Dep. 21:00
- Fri, Oct 9MITSUI OCEAN SAKURAArr. 09:00 / Dep. 17:00
- Sat, Oct 10ASUKA IIArr. — / Dep. 17:00
- Mon, Oct 12MITSUI OCEAN SAKURAArr. 09:00 / Dep. 17:00
- Mon, Oct 12ASUKA IIArr. 09:00 / Dep. —
- Fri, Oct 23ASUKA IIIArr. 09:00 / Dep. 17:00
- Mon, Oct 26ASUKA IIIArr. 09:00 / Dep. 17:00
See all arrivals in Japan Source: WEB CRUISE arrival calendar (Japanese). Schedules may change due to weather. Most piers are restricted areas; please watch ships from public parks and observation spots.
Major passenger ships that call at this port
- ASUKA III9 calls
- MITSUI OCEAN FUJI6 calls
- ASUKA II5 calls
- MITSUI OCEAN SAKURA4 calls
- Costa Serena1 call
- Star Seeker1 call
- Azamara Pursuit1 call
The number of port calls was compiled based on scheduled arrivals from July 2026 to October 2026 (as of September 29, 2026). You can view the ship's introduction page by clicking on the ship name link. Source:WEB CRUISE "Cruise Ship Port Arrival Calendar"Please note that schedules are subject to change, so check the port's official website for the latest information.
From July to October, typhoons can cause skipped port calls or changed port times. See our typhoon and cruise guide for refunds and how to prepare.
FAQ
Q1How do I get from Kobe Port Terminal to Sannomiya?
It takes about 5 minutes by Port Liner from Port Terminal Station to Sannomiya Station. By taxi, it takes about 10 minutes.
Q2Is it possible to take a day trip from Kobe to Kyoto or Osaka?
Yes, it's possible. From Sannomiya, it takes about 20-30 minutes by train to Osaka and about an hour to Kyoto. Please plan your trip with ample time before the all-aboard time.
Q3Which pier will we be docking at?
Most large foreign cruise ships dock at Kobe Port Terminal on Pier 4 of Shinminato. However, some ships may dock at other piers such as Nakatottei, so please check the onboard information.
Q4Where are the ATMs and currency exchange offices?
There is a foreign currency exchange machine (foreign currency to Japanese yen only, 8:00-17:30) on the second floor of Kobe Port Terminal. If you want to withdraw Japanese yen using a card issued overseas, Seven Bank ATMs (at Seven-Eleven stores, etc.) and Japan Post Bank ATMs are convenient. You can find them on the map in the "Convenient Port Information" section of this page.
Q5Are there any places in Kobe Port where I can see cruise ships?
Kobe Port Terminal has a viewing deck that stretches over 300 meters from north to south, where you can see cruise ships. Cruise ships from Nakatottei Passenger Terminal can be seen up close from Meriken Park and Harborland.
Source/Reference Information
- Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Ports and Harbors Bureau, "Ports Nationwide"
- Kobe City "Terminal Introduction"
- Kobe Tourism Bureau, Port Development Department, "Cruise Terminal"
- Feel KOBE "Kobe Port Terminal"
- Princess Cruises "2026 Japan Departure/Arrival Cruise Port and Shuttle Bus Information"
Last updated: September 29, 2026. Information is subject to change. Please let us know of any inaccuracies or issues you notice through reviews or inquiries.
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