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Kobe's harbour front and jazz clubs sit at one end of this journey, Yokohama's Chinatown and Minato Mirai waterfront at the other. The Shinkansen links the two port cities, which makes the train the natural way to travel between them. You can compare options and book on GoAsia.cc.
Kobe to Yokohama by Train
Shinkansen trains leave from Shin-Kobe Station, tucked against the hills north of central Kobe, and call at Shin-Yokohama Station, a short local train ride from central Yokohama. The Nozomi, the fastest service, takes 2 hours 36 minutes to 2 hours 45 minutes from Shin-Kobe to Tokyo, and Shin-Yokohama comes a little earlier on the way.[1]
In the regular season a reserved Standard Class seat from Shin-Kobe to Shin-Yokohama costs 14,960 yen on the Nozomi and 14,420 yen on Hikari and Kodama trains; peak and off-peak seasons add or subtract 400 yen.[2] A non-reserved seat costs 14,090 yen.[3]
Standard Class has no food and drink sales on board, so buy an ekiben (station bento box) before you board. On clear days Mount Fuji is the highlight of the ride: JR Central recommends Seat E in Standard Class on the Tokyo to Osaka run, and travelling east from Kobe the mountain appears on the opposite side of the train.[4]
Comparing Your Options
| Ticket | Fare (regular season) |
|---|---|
| Nozomi, reserved seat | 14,960 yen[2] |
| Hikari or Kodama, reserved seat | 14,420 yen[2] |
| Non-reserved seat | 14,090 yen[3] |
Tips for Traveling from Kobe to Yokohama
- Station names: Shin-Kobe and Shin-Yokohama are different stations from Kobe and Yokohama. Check that your ticket names the Shinkansen stations.
- Booking: Reserved seats go on sale at 10:00 1 month before the travel date, and during the major peak periods all seats on Nozomi trains are reserved. Book ahead for Golden Week, Obon and New Year.[5]
- Luggage: Bags up to 160 cm in total (length, width and height added together) fit in the racks, at your feet or in the deck storage area. Bags of 161 to 250 cm need a reserved seat with an oversized baggage area, and without a reservation a fee of 1,000 yen applies. Luggage Express can deliver bags from a hotel or station to your destination hotel the same day.[6]
- Japan Rail Pass: The pass is not valid on Nozomi trains. Take a Hikari or Kodama instead.[7]
Timetable
| Flight Kansai Airport - Tokyo $ 67.58โ106.52 1h 5m โ 1h 20m | |
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| Train Kobe - Yokohama $ 90.08โ93.27 2h 19m โ 2h 50m | |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Use the booking tool on this page to compare the transport options currently available from Kobe to Yokohama, including current prices and schedules.
The cheapest Shinkansen ticket is a non-reserved seat, which costs 14,090 yen from Shin-Kobe to Shin-Yokohama in the regular season. A reserved seat on a Hikari or Kodama costs 14,420 yen.
The Nozomi is the fastest Shinkansen. It takes 2 hours 36 minutes to 2 hours 45 minutes from Shin-Kobe to Tokyo, and Shin-Yokohama comes a little before Tokyo.
The Nozomi needs 2 hours 36 minutes to 2 hours 45 minutes from Shin-Kobe to Tokyo, and Shin-Yokohama is reached a little earlier. A short local train then takes you from Shin-Yokohama to central Yokohama.
Reserved seats go on sale at 10:00 1 month before the travel date. During the major peak periods all seats on Nozomi trains are reserved, so book ahead for Golden Week, Obon or New Year. Hikari and Kodama keep non-reserved cars.
Use Shin-Kobe Station for the Shinkansen in Kobe and Shin-Yokohama Station in Yokohama. Both are separate from the local stations Kobe and Yokohama.
The Japan Rail Pass is not valid on Nozomi trains, but it covers Hikari and Kodama services.
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] West Japan Railway Company (JR-Odekake Net): Line timetable Tokaido Sanyo Kyushu Shinkansen inbound (Kagoshima-Chuo to Tokyo). Retrieved November 5, 2026.
- [2] smartEX (JR Central, JR West, JR Kyushu): smartEX Service prices: reserved seat in ordinary cars (as of 1 April 2025). Retrieved November 5, 2026.
- [3] smartEX (JR Central, JR West, JR Kyushu): smartEX Service prices: non-reserved seat in ordinary cars (as of 1 April 2025). Retrieved November 5, 2026.
- [4] Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central): Shinkansen Perfect Guide: Tickets & Tips. Retrieved November 5, 2026.
- [5] Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central): All seats on Nozomi trains on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen are reserved seats during the major peak periods. Retrieved November 2, 2026.
- [6] Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central): Luggage information. Retrieved November 5, 2026.
- [7] Japan Rail Pass (JR Group): Scope of validity. Retrieved November 2, 2026.
Guide prices and journey times are indicative, not live quotes. A booked package may include transfers and waiting time as well as the main journey. Check the selected offer, pickup point and current conditions before booking.