Kobe has been an important port city for many centuries. Kobe Port was one of the first Japanese ports to be opened to foreign trade in the late Edo Period, and the city remains one of Japan's more cosmopolitan cities.

In January 1995, Kobe was hit by the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, which killed over 5000 people and destroyed tens of thousands of buildings. A decade later, the city is completely rebuilt, and few signs of the terrible event are left.

About a dozen round trips are operated between Tokyo's Haneda Airport and Kobe Airport each day by JAL, ANA and Skymark Airlines.

The regular one way fare by JAL and ANA is about 21,000 yen, while discount tickets are typically available from around 12,000 yen.

The one way fare by Skymark Airlines is only 10,000 yen. Furthermore, if you book at least 49 days ahead of departure, you qualify for the Sky Bargain discount and pay only 5000 yen for the one way journey.

By bus:

The one way trip from Tokyo to Kobe by highway bus takes about 8-9 hours. Most buses between the two cities are night buses. The competition between bus companies on the Tokyo - Osaka - Kobe route is fierce and has produced various discount offers.

Fares by discount bus operators, such as 123bus, start from below 5000 yen. Buses on this price level are usually standard buses, which offer little comfort. The one way trip by more comfortable buses costs around 8500 yen.