Kobe Airport Japan: the Kansai airport you might not have heard of
- japansophy
- 4 days ago
- 5 min read
Situated on an artificial island just off the coast of Kobe, Kobe Airport opened in 2006 and has since become an efficient and compact alternative to the larger regional hub.
The airport lies about 8 km south of central Kobe (Sannomiya), making it a very convenient option for travellers staying in or around Kobe.
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Why haven't you heard of Kobe Airport?
Well, first of all, Kobe Airport Japan is relatively new and for most of its history has definitely been overshadowed by Kansai's two other airports: Kansai International Airport (KIX) and Osaka Itami Airport (ITM). Secondly, Kobe Airport currently only handles domestic flights and a handful of charter flights to South East Asia, so it will have stayed off the radar of most international tourists. Nevertheless, Kobe Airport is an important domestic hub with up to 120 flights a day to Tokyo, Hokkaido, Okinawa, Niigata, Sendai and other Japanese destinations.
Terminal 1 serves all domestic flights. Among the airlines operating domestic flights are All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Skymark Airlines, which has made Kobe one of its base airports.
So, no international flights, then?
Until 2025, scheduled international flights from Kobe were effectively prohibited under a regional cap meant to protect the airspace usage and business of the larger regional hub Kansai International Airport (KIX) — only private or charter-use flights were allowed.
Then, in April 2025, a new Terminal 2 opened and the airport began to handle scheduled international charter flights, including those operated by Korean Air, EVA Air and Starlux. It is predicted that scheduled international flights could be given the green light by as early as 2030.
Getting to and from Kobe Airport — Connections from Kobe, Osaka, Kyoto
One of the strongest advantages of Kobe Airport is its excellent accessibility via public transport across the Kansai region — including Kobe, Osaka, and even further to Kyoto or via ferry to Kansai International Airport.
From Kobe city centre (Sannomiya)
The automated train line Port Liner links Kobe Airport directly to Sannomiya Station in about 18 minutes, fare ~ ¥340.
A bus service (Shinki Bus) leaves the airport two to three times an hour in the direction of Sannomiya (downtown Kobe) and the Shin-Kobe Shinkansen station. The journey takes around 40 mins to Shin-Kobe, depending on traffic, and a one-way ticket costs around 340 yen (subject to change).
So if you're staying in Kobe, arriving at or departing from Kobe Airport is easy and convenient... and cheap.
From Osaka or Kyoto
Sannomiya has excellent connections to Osaka, Kyoto and even to Hiroshima. From Kyoto, take the JR Kyoto line directly from JR Kyoto Station to Sannomiya in Kobe and hop on the Port Liner to the airport. Likewise, from Osaka... or you can take the Hankyu to Sannomiya (slightly slower but also cheaper).
Connecting with Kansai International Airport (KIX) via ferry
If you are flying into Kansai International Airport but have plans to fly on to another part of Japan, you can transfer from KIX to Kobe Airport for your domestic flight in just 30 minutes on the high-speed ferry service.
The one-way fare is around ¥1,880.
At each end, passengers take a free shuttle bus between the pier and the airport terminal (for Kobe Airport, from the Terminal to the pier; for KIX, from the passenger terminal to the pier).
This ferry link is particularly useful to avoid complicated or long train/bus rides, and offers a more scenic and possibly more relaxed alternative. Buy your ticket in advance via Klook to save time when you arrive (affiliate link).
Airport facilities
Although compact, the airport offers several conveniences:
The rooftop of Terminal 1 houses an observation deck, offering nice vantage points over Kobe and the bay — a small but pleasant perk, especially for visitors arriving or departing during daylight.
Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 are only a three-minute walk apart (or connected by shuttle), which simplifies connections between domestic and (new-ish) international flights.
There are cafés, restaurants, shops and basic amenities, but don't expect the same range of choice as in Kansai International, for example.
From a traveller’s perspective: because the airport is small and well organised, check-in, security and boarding tend to be quicker and less stressful than at larger, busier hubs.
Why you might consider flying into Kobe Airport in the future
Proximity to city centre: With just ~8 km to central Kobe, the airport offers easy access without long commutes.
Good balance of convenience and efficiency: Less hustle and bustle than mega-airports; quicker transfers; simpler layout.
Domestic connectivity + growing international access. Domestic flights cover much of Japan, with scheduled international flights likely in the next 4-5 years
Multimodal connectivity: Rail (Port Liner), buses, and even a ferry link to Kansai International Airport — gives flexibility depending on your onward destination.
Kobe International Conference Center is practically on Kobe Airport's doorstep, with plenty of adjacent accommodation.
If you are flying into Kansai from another part of Japan (or, of course, the other way around), you could well consider Kobe Airport as a handy alternative, especially since Skymark often has special cheap shuttle fares and ANA sometimes offers free domestic flights for international passengers.
Japansophy's tips for using Kobe Airport
The Port Liner to Kobe Airport is worth the trip itself, with great views of the city and Osaka Bay. Flights generally only operate in and out of the airport from around 9am until 9pm or so, so you'll have plenty of time to catch the Port Liner, but make sure in advance that the Port Liner's schedule allows you to make your flight or get to Sannomiya on time.
The airport is tiny compared to the behemoth that is KIX, so don't expect much in the way of facilities. It's very much an in-and-out sort of airport. There are a few restaurants and a food court, however, as well as Kobe souvenir shops and a branch of the ubiquitous FamilyMart.
If you travel outside regular ferry-or-rail times, transfers (especially to or from Kansai Airport) may require careful planning. The weather can also affect the ferry's timetable to don't cut your transfer time too tight.
Japan Kobe Airport FAQ
Is Kobe Airport in Osaka?
No, Kobe Airport is in the city of Kobe (well, technically off-shore of Kobe), Osaka's neighbour. It is one of three airports in the Kansai region, with the other two - Kansai International Airport (KIX) and Osaka Itami Airport (ITM) both in Osaka. Read our article introducing Kansai's airports here.
Does Kobe Airport have international flights?
Kobe Airport handles primarily domestic flights but some Asian airlines such as Korean Air and EVA Air operate some international charter flights. With the opening of Terminal 2 at Kobe Airport, it is hoped that scheduled international flights will be offered in the next few years.
What is the closest international airport to Kobe Japan?
Currently, the closest international airport to Kobe is Kansai International Airport in southern Osaka. The easiest way to travel between Kobe and KIX is by limousine bus, which takes around an hour and costs approx. 2,200 yen (subject to change) Click here to check prices and buy your ticket in advance (affiliate link).
How big is Kobe airport?
Kobe Airport is small in comparison to Kansai International Airport or even Itami. While it doesn't have the same facilities that larger airports can offer, its compact size means that queues and check-in/security procedures require minimal time.
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