Profile of the Port of KOBE

Kobe is one of the most beautiful ports in the world, with the lush green backdrop of the Rokko Mountains, and its deep water and mild climate throughout the year. Every year many cruise ships enter the port, through which passengers visit Kyoto and Nara, both ancient capitals and world-renowned tourist Meccas.
The Port of Kobe's advantage is its proximity (within walking distance) to downtown. In addition, there are various transportation modes, such as Port Liner (new unmanned traffic system), subway, railways, Shinkansen (bullet train), and expressways.
Kobe Port Terminal on Shinko Pier No. 4, serving passenger ships, features the most sophisticated facilities in West Japan and passenger ships from all over the world utilize the Terminal's facilities.
Naka Pier Passenger Terminal, renewed as an international terminal in January 2006, is located in the scenic waterfront.

Index

Passenger Terminal / Public Offices / Port-related Organizations / Contact us
Attractions / Number of Calling Cruise Ships / Hotels (Popular Among Shipping Companies) / Sightseeing Spots

Passenger Terminal

(1) Name

Kobe Port Terminal

Naka Pier Passenger Terminal

(2) Location

Shinko Pier No.4, Chuo-ku, Kobe

Naka Pier, Chuo-ku, Kobe

(3) Nearest Station (Time Req.)

Port Terminal Station, Port Liner-new unmanned traffic system (1 min walk)

Minato-Motomachi Station, Subway (7-min. walk)

(4) Access

Station

Sannomiya Station, Municipal Subway, Hanshin, Hankyu or JR (20-min. walk)

Motomachi Station, JR, Hanshin (15-min. walk)

Airport

Kansai International Airport (KIX): approx. 60 min. (bus)
Itami Airport: approx. 40 min. (bus)
Kobe Airport: approx. 13 min. (Port Liner)

Kansai International Airport (KIX): approx. 60 min. (bus)
Itami Airport: approx. 40 min. (bus)
Kobe Airport: approx. 20 min. (taxi)

Shinkansen

JR Shin-Kobe Station approx 10-15 min. (bus)

JR Shin-Kobe Station approx 10-15 min. (taxi)

(5) Facilities

Facility Overview

1st floor:	Conference room, Lobby, Check-in counters, Parking
2nd floor:	Customs Office, Immigration Control, Plant Protection Station, Animal Quarantine Station, Lobby, Shop, Tourist Information, Post Office, Currency exchange booth, Sending-off deck, Parking
3rd floor:	Front entrance, Lobby, Exhibition hall, Sending-off deck, Parking (bus & taxi), Port Terminal Station
Escalator and elevator equipped. International public phone.

1st floor:	Parking
2nd floor:	Customs Office, Immigration Control, Plant Protection Station, Animal Quarantine Station, Lobby, Shop, Tourist Information, Check-in counter, Sending-off Deck, Currency exchange booth, Café, Restaurants, etc.
3rd floor:	Kobe Meriken Park Oriental Hotel
Escalator and elevator equipped. International public phone.

(6) Capacity

Length

Berth Q1&Q2: 203m&217m,
Berth O1&O2: 206m&236m,
Berth R: 229m, Berth P: 147m
(Note: Q1, Q2 and O1, O2 Berths can be converted into double berths.)

Berth B&C: 286m

Water Depth

Q1, Q2:-12m, O1:-11m, O2:-10m, R:-9.3m, P:-9m

B/C: -9.0m

Apron Width

15m

20m

Boarding Bridges

3(Mobile)

1(mobile, barrier-free)

Tidal Range

1m (average)

(8) Notices

Maximum Airdraft

Unlimited

Bay Pilot

The Pilotage Law requires compulsory bay pilot for vessels with 10,000 gross tonnage or more.

Harbor Pilot

The Pilotage Law requires compulsory harbor pilot for vessels with 3,000 gross tonnage or more.

Tugboat

Pilot has the authority to determine how many tugboats are necessary.

(9) Services

Service	Content	Note
Welcome Ceremony	The Port of Kobe welcomes passengers and crews of overseas passenger ships by preparing various welcoming events. As soon as a passenger ship enters the Port, a fireboat sprays water, forming a welcome arch. When the ship arrives at the terminal, the Kobe Fire Fighter Band plays music to welcome the ship. On board the ship, a welcome ceremony is held, presentation of gifts and bouquets, and performances of Japanese dances or other traditional performing arts.
Introducing Japanese Culture	Performances of Japanese Drums, Japanese harps, Japanese dances and Karate, Kagamiwari (Sake Breaking) Ceremony(The ritual breaking open of a barrel of Sake for celebration),Stalls of fast foods as Octopus balls, noodles or games as golden fish catching etc.
Tourist Information Center, Currency Exchange	Passengers are given guide maps. A tourist information counter and currency exchange booth are ready to help passengers.
Shuttle Bus Services	Port Terminal: No Naka Pier:Yes. Ship side - Sannomiya Station (JR, Hanshin, Hankyu) and Shin-Kobe Station (JR ShinKansen)	Kobe Port Terminal is connected with the rail station and there are no bus service.
City Sightseeing for the Crews	2-3 hours short city tour by bus for the crews (Max. 30 crews).	2 or 3 sightseeing spots, such as Japanese Sake Brewery etc.

Public Offices

Facility	Services	Location (Time from the Terminal)	Phone
(1) Kobe Customs Ministry of Finance	Customs clearance on import/export cargoes, vessels and passengers. Levy and collect customs and consumption taxes on the personal effects of passengers and crews.	(Head office) 12-1 Shinko-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe PT:5-min. walk Naka Pier: 10-min. walk (Temporally branch office will be open in the terminal)	+81-78-333-3010
(2) Kobe Osaka Immigration Office Kobe Port Branch	Immigration/departure examination of foreign nationals. Departure and return of Japanese nationals	Kobe Port District Bldg. 2nd Floor, 29, Kaigan-dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe 10-min. walk (Temporally branch office will be open in the terminal)	+81-78-391-4747
(3) Kobe Quarantine Station Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare	Inspections of vessels based on the Quarantine Law and sanitary management of the port area.	1-1, Toyahama-cho, Hyogo-ku, kobe 10 min. by car (Temporally branch office will be open in the terminal)	+81-78-672-9653
(4) Kobe Coast Guard Office	Sea rescue, ensuring the safety of maritime traffic, search and inspection of maritime crimes, prevent maritime disaster and monitor/control of sea pollution.	Kobe Daini Chiho Godo Chosa Bldg., 1-1, Hatoba-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe 10-min. walk	+81-78-331-2027
(5) Kobe Harbor Police Station	Traffic and security of the area.	1-4, Hatoba-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe 10-min. walk	+81-78-332-0110
(6) Kobe City Harbor Fire Station	Rescue works (fire, injury, etc.).	2-2, Minatojima 3-chome, Chuo-ku, Kobe PT: 5-min. walk Naka Pier: 10-min. by car	+81-78-302-0119
(7) Kobe City General Hospital	26 departments including internal medicine, pediatrics, surgery, orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery (902 beds)	PT: 5 min. by Port Liner, 3 min. by ambulance Naka Pier: 10 min. by ambulance	+81-78-302-4321

PT; Kobe Port Terminal Naka Pier; Naka Pier Passenger Terminals

Port-related Organizations

Type of Service	Organization	Address	Contact Information
(1) Shipping Information	Kobe Port Radio (Kobe Port area) Kobe Sea Patrol Radio (Osaka bay area)		VHF16ch
(2) Shipping Agent	Japan Foreign Steamship Association Hanshin Branch	3-4 Hatoba-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe	+81-78-391-0052
(3) Water Supply	Kobe Water Supply Center	2-1, Minatojima 3-chome, Chuo-ku, Kobe	+81-78-302-7624
(4) Waste Disposal	Kobe Port Cleaning Association Inc.	5, Minatojima 3-chome, Chuo-ku, Kobe	+81-78-302-5261
(5) Ship Supplies
(6) Bay Pilot	Licensed Osaka Bay Pilot Association	Towa Bldg. 2F, 2-3, Kaigan-dori 2-chome, Chuo-ku, Kobe	+81-78-321-7411
(7) Harbor Pilot	Hanshin Pilot Association	1-5, Hatoba-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe	+81-78-391-5032
(8) Tugboat	Kobe Tug-boat Association	2, Minatojima 3-chome, Chuo-ku, Kobe	+81-78-302-7901
(9) Ship Repair and Dockyards	Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Kobe shipyard	1-1-1 Wadamisaki-cho, Hyogo-ku, Kobe	+81-78-672-2224
	Kawasaki Shipyard, Ltd.	Kobe Crystal Tower, 1-1-3, Higashikawasaki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe	+81-78-371-9520
	Kobe Dockyard, Ltd.	1-1-8, Nishide-machi, Hyogo-ku, Kobe	+81-78-671-2301

[TEL]	+81-78-322-5673 / 5670
[E-MAIL]	cruise_kobeport@office.city.kobe.jp
[URL]	http://www.city.kobe.jp/cityoffice/39/port/index_e.htm

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Attractions

Located in Central Japan, Kobe is a scenic port city, with the lush green backdrop of the Mt. Rokko and many sightseeing spots such as Arima Hot Springs which is one of the oldest hot springs in Japan, and is a convenient access point via land, sea, and air to other localities in Japan.

Kyoto (30 min. by bullet train, 60 min. by bus)
Surrounded by rolling hills and containing many old shrines and temples, its history goes back 1,200 years.
There are traditional events such as the three major festivals, and the send-off bonfire. Traditional crafts and arts like Nishijin brocade and Yuzen and Kiyomizu pottery, and exquisite Kyoto cuisine can also be enjoyed.

Nara (90 min. by bus)
Even more ancient than Kyoto. The Nara area includes Nara Park, where groups of deer frolic with the tourists, Nishi-no-kyo with temples in the midst of a pastoral landscape, Ikaruga, famous for the Horyuji Temple, a mountain road winding through ancient burial mounds, Yamanobe-no-michi, Asuka, an area rich in the romance of a bygone age and many other places of charm and beauty.

Himeji (20 min. by bullet train, 60 min by bus)
Located in the warm, fertile Banshu Plain facing the Inland Sea, Himeji was a prosperous castle town. The famous Himeji Castle, White Heron Castle, is recognized by the United Nations as a World Heritage Site and in Japan as a
national treasure. The city itself has many dignified historic sites unique to this castle town.

Himeji Castle
Todaiji Temple, Nara	Arima Hot Springs

Number of Calling Cruise Ships

Year	Japanese			Foreign		Total
	Subtotal	Ships	Calls	Subtotal	Ships
2005 (est.)	75	Asuka	17	10	C.Columbus Explorer The Topaz (8)	85
		Nippon Maru	20
		Pacific Venus	28
		Fuji Maru	10
2004	56	Asuka	12	11	Crystal Harmony Crystal Serenity Seven Seas Voyager Silver Shadow Deutschland Explorer (2) The Topaz (4)	67
		Nippon Maru	21
		Pacific Venus	19
		Fuji Maru	4
2003	63	Asuka	11	11	Queen Elizabeth 2 Crystal Harmony (2) Seven Seas Mariner Deutschland Olivia Universe Explorer The Topaz (4)	74
		Nippon Maru	21
		Pacific Venus	27
		Fuji Maru	4
2002	62	Asuka	14	13	Crystal Harmony (2) Maxim Gorkiy Hanseatic Clipper Odyssey (2) Olivia (6) Universe Explorer	75
		Nippon Maru	9
		Orient Venus	6
		Pacific Venus	23
		Fuji Maru	10
2001	71	Asuka	16	10	Queen Elizabeth2 Olivia (5) Clipper Odyssey (3) Universe Explorer	81
		Nippon Maru	8
		Orient Venus	13
		Pacific Venus	17
		Fuji Maru	17

Entry and departure together count as one call.

Hotel	Address	Phone	From Terminal	Number of Rooms	Notes
Hotel Okura Kobe	2-1 Hatoba-Cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe http://www.kobe.hotelokura.co.jp/	+81-78-333-0111	PT: 10 min. by car Naka Pier: 5min. walk	489
Portopia Hotel	6-10-1 Minatojima-nakamachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe http://www.portopia.co.jp/	+81-78- 302-1111	PT: 7 min. by Port Liner Naka Pier: 15 min. by car	761
Kobe Meriken Park Oriental Hotel	5-6 Hatoba-Cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe http://www.meriken-oh.co.jp/	+81-78-325-8111	PT: 10 min. by car Naka Pier: above the terminal	331
Shinkobe Oriental Hotel	1-1 Kitano-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe http://www.orientalhotel.co.jp/	+81-78-291-1121	10 min. by car	600
New Otani Kobe Harborland	1-3-5 Higashikawasaki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe http://hrt.newotani.co.jp/kobe/	+81-78-360-1111	PT: 15 min. by car Naka Pier: 10 min. by walk	235
Kobe Bay Sheraton Hotel & Towers	2-13 Koyo-cho-naka, Higashinada-ku, Kobe http://www.sheraton-kobe.co.jp/	+81-78-857-7000	20 min. by car	276
Rokko Oriental Hotel	1878 Nishi-Taniyama Rokkosan-cho, Nada-ku, Kobe http://www.roh.co.jp/	+81-78-891-0333	40 min. by car	60	Mt. Rokko area
Rokkosan Hotel	1034 Minami-Rokko Rokkosan-cho, Nada-ku, Kobe http://www.653.co.jp/	+81-78-891-0301	40 min. by car	73	Mt. Rokko area

PT; Kobe Port Terminal Naka Pier; Naka Pier Passenger Terminal

Sightseeing Spots

Place	Attraction	Access	Time Required	Notes
Kobe	Kobe is a scenic port city featuring a world-class international trade port, the lush green backdrop of the Rokko Mountains, and busy commercial and amusement districts.			Kobe Airport, opened in February 2006, connects Sapporo, Sendai, Tokyo, Niigata, Kumamoto, Kagoshima and Okinawa in 1-2 hours each.
Sake breweries	The waterfront area called "Nadagogo" has the largest concentration of sake breweries in Japan. Here, expertly skilled sake breweries transform pure "miyamizu" spring water from Mt. Rokko and superior quality "yamadanishiki" rice into famous brands of sake.	20-30 min. by bus	1.5hours	Many of the histric breweries offer public tours, so visitors can take a stroll through time while enjoying a sake tasting experience.
Mt.Rokko	Standing at an elevation of 931m, Mt. Rokko has been a popular resort area since 1901, when the British merchant A. H. Groom began developing the area and built Japan's first golf course. The spectacular "10 million dollar" nighttime panoramic view is a special treat.	60 min. by bus	Half day
Arima Onsen hot springs	Arima Onsen is one of the three oldest and most famous hot spring resorts in Japan. The naturally carbonated waters of copper-colored "Gold Spring" and the clear "Silver Spring" are said to soothe a wide variety of illness and disastors. The town is also known for its many historic sites and picturesque scenery.	60 min. by bus	Half day-one day	The view is particularly spectacular in spring when the cherry blossoms are in bloom, and in autumn when the mountains are swathed in brilliantly colored foliage.
Kyoto	Kyoto is surrounded by rolling hills and contains many old shrines and temples. It has a history, that goes back 1,200 years. Traditional events such as the four major festivals (Aoi-matsuri Festival,Gion-matsuri Festival,Festival of Ages,and Five Mountains the Send-off Bonfire),traditional crafts and arts like Nishizin brocade and Yuzen and Kiyomizu pottery, and exquisite Kyoto cuisine can also be enjoyed.	60 min. by bus 30 min. by bullet train	1 day
Nara	Nara is even more ancient than Kyoto. The Nara area includes Nara Park, a huge park where groups of deer frolic with the tourists, Nishi-no-kyo with temples in the middle of a pastoral landscape, Ikaruga, famous for Horyuji Temple which was built in the Asuka period,ancient burial mounds(kofun)Asuka, an area rich with the romance of a bygone age,and many other spots of charm and beauty.	90 min. by bus	1 day
Himeji	Located in the warm, fertile Banshu Plain facing the Inland Sea, Himeji was a prosperous castle town. The famous Himeji Castle is recognised by the United Nations as a World Cultural Heritage Site and in Japan as a National Treasure. The city itself has many dignified historic sites unique to this castle town. National Treasure Himeji Castle was the first in Japan to be registered as a World Cultural Heritage Site. The beautiful figure of the castle is often compared to a white heron flying with his wings spread wide, and the castle is known as well by another name,“White Heron Castle.”	60 min. by bus 20 min. by bullet train	Half day	By 20 min. bus ride from the Himeji Castle, Engyo Temple on Mt. Shosha is a major temple of the Tendai Sect. surrounded by 1,000 year old cedar trees. It is famous as the movie "Last Samurai" was shot on location there.

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