Welcome to Kobe!

Entering Japan

Most visitors to Japan do not require a special visa and may stay in Japan for up to 90 days with a tourist visa received upon arrival. It is highly advisable to check if your passport entitles you to visa-free travel to Japan.

Covid-19 (updated: December 2022)

Updated information: Japan Ministry of Health Website.

Travel to Japan requires a vaccination certificate with 3 shots, or a negative PCR test.

Those lacking a 3-shot vaccination certificate need to show a negative PCR test done within 72 hours before departure to Japan. Consult your local Japanese embassy/consulate for the acceptable PCR test format and the institutions where these tests can be taken.

It is advisable, but not necessary, to register at Visit Japan Web in order to save some time upon arrival.

Although it is not mandatory to wear masks in Japan, Government Rules are to wear masks indoors.

Emergency

Japan is one of the safest places in the world and tourists may walk about freely anywhere and at any time. But Japan is also known for its natural disasters: earthquakes, flooding, typhoons, and more.

In the event of an accident or another emergency, first call the police on 110. It is also possible to call the fire/ambulance department at 119. If possible, have a Japanese speaker with you.

The City of Kobe

Kobe is the sixth largest city in Japan (population about 1.5 million), but most tourist spots are in the center, many within a walking distance from the community center.

The community center is in the Kitano neighborhood, located on the slope of Mount Rokko and overlooking the port of Kobe. The neighborhood is known as the neighborhood of the foreigners who began arriving in Japan in the 19^th century, and it has historic houses in European style, places of worship of different religions, museums, restaurants, coffee shops, and more.

We recommend using the official tourist website of Kobe, Feel Kobe, to plan visits to the various places around the city.

Transportation

Public transportation in Japan is one of the most advanced in the world. We recommend using Google Maps or a specific app such as Jorudan (website, iPhone, Android) to plan trips.

The community center can be reached by walking 10-15 minutes (or taking a taxi) from one of two train stations:

Shin Kobe (新神戸)

A stop on the bullet train (Shinkansen). It can be reached using the Tokaido Shinkansen from the east (Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka), or using the Sanyo Shinkansen from the west (Hiroshima, Fukuoka).

Sannomiya (三宮)

This is the main train station of Kobe. It can be reached using the JR line from Osaka.

Close to it are the Hanshin Sannomiya (Hanshin Line) and Kobe Sannomiya (Hankyu Line) stations, which can also be reached from Osaka.

Hotels Near the Community Center

Here are some hotels within a short walking distance from the community center:

Kobe Kitano Hotel – 5 minutes

Kobe Tor Road Hotel Sanraku – 10 minutes (*)

ANA Crowne Plaza Kobe – 15 minutes (*)

Green Hill Hotel Urban – 15  minutes

(*) These hotels are aware of the needs of people who keep Shabbat.

There are also many hotels near Sannomiya station, a walking distance of 15-30 minutes from the community center.