Kobe

Japan ·Hyogo · Asia ·UTC UTC+9

Cost Medium

Safety ★★★★★

English Moderate

Currency JPY ¥

City Overview

Kobe is the capital of Hyogo and a major Kansai port city — scenic between mountains and sea, an international city since its 1868 opening, with the Ijinkan foreign residences and Nankinmachi (Chinatown) reflecting a diverse culture. Famed for Kobe beef, fashion and a wine culture. Costs are similar to Osaka with relatively spacious housing; about 30 minutes from Osaka and an hour from Kyoto. Safe and cosmopolitan — a livable port city of Kansai.

Cost of Living Snapshot

1BR Apartment ¥60,000–100,000/mo (center); ¥48,000–78,000/mo (suburbs)

Dining Out ¥750–1,500 (restaurant); ¥300–600 (convenience store)

Monthly Transport Monthly pass ¥9,000–16,000 (depends on commute)

Monthly Groceries ¥29,000–46,000/mo (supermarket basics)

USD Reference： Approx. USD 400–670/mo (1BR center, 2025 rates)

Full Cost of Living Report →

Data above is approximate. Actual costs vary by location, timing, and personal lifestyle.

Getting Around

JR + Hankyu + Hanshin + municipal subway + Portliner; ICOCA/PiTaPa work across them. ~30 min to Osaka, 1 h to Kyoto. Kobe Airport (UKB) + Kansai (KIX).