Kobe Station

Kobe Station is a JR West station located in Chuo Ward, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture. It is the terminus of the Tokaido Main Line that runs from Tokyo Station, and also the starting point of the Sanyo Main Line that extends to Moji Station. Kobe Station is also known for its station building, which has been designated a modern heritage property by Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs, and for preserving historically significant facilities such as the VIP room. It was also selected for the 2nd “Top 100 Stations in the Kinki Region.” Although it bears the name “Kobe Station,” the prefectural office is closest to the neighboring “Motomachi Station,” and the city hall and the core commercial district are closest to “Sannomiya Station,” two stops away. The area west of Kobe Station is called Shinkaichi; from before World War II through the 1960s it was a bustling entertainment district—once praised as “Asakusa in the East, Shinkaichi in the West”—with more than 20 movie theaters lined up, making it the liveliest cinema town in Kobe. Over time, however, the commercial center gradually consolidated into the Motomachi and Sannomiya areas. Around Kobe Station there are many sightseeing spots such as Minatogawa Shrine, Minato Hachiman Shrine, and Nanamiya Shrine, and you can also head a bit farther to visit Kobe Harborland.