Getting to Know Kobe International Exhibition Hall
Welcome, and congratulations on your upcoming business exhibition or conference in Kobe. Kobe International Exhibition Hall opened in 1981 on Port Island, an artificial island in Kobe’s Chuo Ward. Together with Kobe Portopia Hotel and Kobe International Conference Center, it forms the “Kobe Convention Center,” and its three buildings — No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3 — offer a combined exhibition space of approximately 13,600 m².
The venue sits at the center of Port Island, about a few minutes’ walk from Shimin-Hiroba Station on the Port Liner (Kobe New Transit) line. Opened in 1981, the Port Liner is known as the world’s first fully automated, driverless transit system (AGT) put into practical operation.
This guide covers how to get to Kobe International Exhibition Hall, where to stay, dining options nearby, and points worth knowing before your visit.
How to Get to Kobe International Exhibition Hall
Kobe International Exhibition Hall can be reached via the Port Liner from Kansai International Airport, Osaka Itami Airport, or Kobe Airport. Below are the access routes from each.
From Kansai International Airport
- High-speed boat (Bay Shuttle) + Port Liner: approx. 30 min by high-speed boat from Kansai International Airport to Kobe Airport, then approx. 8 min via the Port Liner from Kobe Airport Station to Shimin-Hiroba Station. A combined Bay Shuttle + Port Liner ticket costs ¥1,880
- Airport limousine bus + Port Liner: approx. 70 min by limousine bus (Sannomiya line) from Kansai International Airport to Sannomiya Station (¥2,200), then approx. 10 min via the Port Liner to Shimin-Hiroba Station (¥250)
From Osaka Itami Airport
- Airport limousine bus + Port Liner: approx. 40 min by limousine bus from Osaka Itami Airport to Sannomiya Station, then approx. 10 min via the Port Liner to Shimin-Hiroba Station
From Kobe Airport
- Port Liner: approx. 8 min, no transfer, from Kobe Airport Station to Shimin-Hiroba Station
From Shin-Kobe / Sannomiya Stations
- Kobe Municipal Subway + Port Liner: approx. 2 min from Shin-Kobe Station to Sannomiya Station via the Kobe Municipal Subway, then approx. 10 min via the Port Liner to Shimin-Hiroba Station (approx. 12 min total)
- Port Liner: approx. 10 min from Sannomiya Station to Shimin-Hiroba Station (¥250)
From the Nearest Station to Kobe International Exhibition Hall
- Port Liner (Kobe New Transit), Shimin-Hiroba Station: from the 2nd-floor exit, a covered elevated walkway connects directly to the venue, so you can reach it without getting wet even in rain
Venue Summary
- Official name: Kobe International Exhibition Hall
- Address: 6-11-1 Minatojima Nakamachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
- Nearest station: Port Liner (Kobe New Transit), Shimin-Hiroba Station (2F exit, covered walkway direct to venue)
- Official website: Official website
- Inquiries: 078-302-1020
- Opening hours: Vary by event. Check the official website for the latest information
Event Facilities at Kobe International Exhibition Hall
Kobe International Exhibition Hall consists of three buildings — No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3 — with a combined exhibition area of approximately 13,600 m².
| Facility | Area / Capacity | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Hall No. 1 Building, 1F Exhibition Hall | 3,000 m² | 6 m ceiling height, 24 columns |
| Hall No. 1 Building, 2F Exhibition Hall & Multi-purpose Room | Exhibition hall 3,000 m² (divisible into A: 1,700 m² + B: 1,300 m²), plus a separate 153 m² multi-purpose room (capacity 150) | Section A has an 8.5 m ceiling; Section B has a 6.5 m ceiling |
| Hall No. 2 Building, Convention Hall | 3,800 m², up to 4,000 attendees | 12 m ceiling height, 766 movable seats. Suited to both theater-style and banquet-style events |
| Hall No. 3 Building, Exhibition Hall | 3,800 m², up to 4,000 attendees | 8 m ceiling height (6 m in some areas). Kobe’s largest single exhibition hall, priced lower than Halls No. 1 and No. 2 |
For detailed pricing and specifications for each facility, see the official facilities page.
Opened in 1981, Kobe International Exhibition Hall forms the “Kobe Convention Center” together with the adjacent Kobe International Conference Center and Kobe Portopia Hotel. Located on the artificial island of Port Island, the venue is well suited for large vehicles to load and unload, making it a popular site for international trade fairs and large-scale exhibitions.
Recommended Hotels Near Kobe International Exhibition Hall
Port Island, where Kobe International Exhibition Hall is located, has limited restaurants and commercial facilities. Below are five hotel options, from an on-site property to hotels within walking distance or a short Port Liner ride away.
Kobe Portopia Hotel
One of the three facilities that make up the Kobe Convention Center, located on the same grounds as Kobe International Exhibition Hall, about a 3-minute walk away. With 737 rooms, it’s the largest hotel in Hyogo Prefecture, and getting from your room to the venue takes almost no time at all.
Ariston Hotel Kobe
Located in nearly the same block as Kobe International Exhibition Hall. Known for its well-regarded breakfast buffet.
Hotel Pearl City Kobe
About a 3-minute walk from Nakafuto Station on the Port Liner, and about a 10-minute walk to Kobe International Exhibition Hall.
ANA Crowne Plaza Kobe
Directly connected to Shin-Kobe Station. Reaching the venue takes about 20 minutes via the Kobe Municipal Subway and Port Liner. An international-chain hotel with 592 rooms in total.
Hotel Okura Kobe
A luxury hotel located within Meriken Park. Outside walking distance of the venue — use the free shuttle bus from the Sannomiya bus terminal or a taxi. Offers sweeping views of Kobe Harbor.
Recommended Restaurants Near Kobe International Exhibition Hall
Port Island has limited restaurants and commercial facilities, so most dining options are concentrated in the Sannomiya area, about a 10-minute Port Liner ride away. Below are six picks by genre.
Cafe
Cafe Freundlieb
A well-known bakery cafe housed in a renovated 1929 church building.
Izakaya
Kobe Ajihei
Founded in 1979, this long-established izakaya is a 1–2 minute walk from JR Sannomiya Station. Signature dishes include Akashi daytime-caught seafood and A5 Kobe beef sirloin, served in a relaxed atmosphere beloved by locals.
Sushi
Uwosei Main Store
About a 3-minute walk from Sannomiya Station on the Hankyu Kobe Line. A long-established counter sushi restaurant known for seasonal fish, offering a menu of around 80 items.
Ramen
Mokkosu Main Store
The flagship store of a Kobe-style Chinese soba (ramen) chain, located in the Okurayama area of Kobe. Founded in 1977, it has long been a local favorite.
Japanese
Nihonryori Kobe Tamura
On the 4th floor of Kobe Portopia Hotel’s South Wing, inside the same Kobe Convention Center complex as the venue (about a 2-minute walk). Authentic Japanese cuisine descended from Tokyo’s renowned Tsukiji Tamura, served as seasonal courses. Private rooms available.
Italian
Io Rassic
About a 6-minute walk from JR Sannomiya Station. An authentic Italian restaurant listed in the Michelin Guide Kobe, serving dishes made with local ingredients alongside sommelier-selected wines.
Tips Before You Visit
A few points specific to Kobe International Exhibition Hall and Port Island worth knowing before your visit.
🚝 The Port Liner Was the World’s First Fully Automated Transit System
The Port Liner (Kobe New Transit), the venue’s nearest transit line, opened in 1981 as the world’s first fully automated, driverless transit system (AGT) put into practical operation. Many visitors are surprised to find no driver on board.
☔ Stay Dry from Shimin-Hiroba Station to the Venue
From the 2nd-floor exit of Shimin-Hiroba Station, a covered elevated walkway connects directly to Kobe International Exhibition Hall and Kobe International Conference Center, so you can make the trip without an umbrella even in the rain.
🌬️ The Port Liner May Suspend Service in Strong Winds
Port Island is an artificial (reclaimed) island with few tall buildings to block winds off Osaka Bay. During typhoons or other high-wind conditions, the Port Liner may suspend operation, so it’s worth checking Kobe New Transit’s service updates in advance if severe weather is forecast.
🎤 Expect Crowds When the Neighboring Hall Hosts Same-Day Events
When the adjacent Kobe World Memorial Hall (BOKS Kobe) hosts a large concert or event on the same day, Shimin-Hiroba Station and the Port Liner can get significantly crowded. It’s worth checking in advance whether any large event is scheduled at the neighboring hall on your visit date.
✈️ Kobe Airport Is Expanding International Service
Kobe Airport opened a second terminal in April 2025 and has begun accepting international charter flights. As routes expand, direct access via Kobe Airport is becoming an increasingly viable alternative to routing through Kansai International Airport or Osaka Itami Airport.
🍽️ Dining Options on Port Island Itself Are Limited
Port Island has limited restaurants and commercial facilities, so many visitors and hotel guests take the Port Liner to the Sannomiya area (about 10 minutes each way) for meals. Keep in mind that it can be difficult to find everything you need for dining within the immediate vicinity of the venue.
🏨 Kobe Portopia Hotel Shares the Same Grounds as the Venue
Kobe Portopia Hotel is one of the three facilities making up the Kobe Convention Center, located on the same grounds as Kobe International Exhibition Hall and Kobe International Conference Center. This means getting from your room to the venue takes almost no time at all.