ANA Crowne Plaza Kobe
by the TopOfHotel team
ANA Crowne Plaza connects straight into Shin-Kobe Shinkansen station — about as easy as it gets if you're coming in by train from Tokyo, Kyoto or Osaka.
ANA Crowne Plaza connects straight into Shin-Kobe Shinkansen station — about as easy as it gets if you're coming in by train from Tokyo, Kyoto or Osaka.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
The Premium King on the 30th floor, Mt. Rokko side, runs 38 sqm at $115 a night. The window frames Mt. Rokko in fresh green to the north, and after dark you can watch the cable car lights tracking up and down with the Maya View Terrace glowing above. The King bed measures 180x200 cm, bigger than the Japanese standard, with down and memory-foam pillows, a thick duvet and 200-thread cotton sheets. The bathroom has a Toto Washlet with heated seat and auto-flush, plus lemon-scented Crabtree & Evelyn toiletries. For anyone working, there are 4 universal outlets and 6 USB ports — clearly a room built with business travelers in mind.
Food and amenities
In the evening, head up to the Sky Lounge on the 36th floor. After dark the city lights spread out to the south and the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge shifts color every 15 minutes, usually red, blue and purple. The standout pour is the Kobe Highball at ¥1,800 (about $12), with peanut-buttery bar snacks for ¥1,200. It's quiet and works well for couples; doors are open 17:00-24:00 daily. For dinner, Kazami does teppanyaki — a Kobe Beef A5 set runs ¥22,000 (around $145), grilled in front of you, the beef tender enough to melt, in a polished dining room with marble tables. Breakfast is a buffet at Café Cova for ¥3,800 (about $25), with a chef making Eggs Benedict to order and local Kobe pudding on the spread. With 8 restaurants, an indoor pool and a spa, you can comfortably eat your way through a stay without leaving.
Location and getting there
The next morning, take the subway one stop from Shin-Kobe to Sannomiya for ¥210 (about $1.50) in 2 minutes, then walk 5 minutes to Ikuta Shrine, a shrine dating back 1,800 years. From there it's an easy walk to Chinatown Nankinmachi, one of Japan's three Chinatowns alongside Yokohama and Nagasaki — order six xiao long bao for ¥850 (about $6). In the afternoon the JR Tokaido Line gets you to Osaka in 30 minutes for ¥420 (around $12), back in time for the evening. Using the hotel as a hub, you can cover several Kansai cities without much friction. The Mt. Rokko cable car is close too — about a 10-minute walk from the hotel to the lower station.
Things to know before booking
The catch with this location is distance from Sannomiya: you'll take a subway stop (¥210) or walk 15 minutes downhill to reach Kobe's main hub. The facade is under repair from November 2025 to September 2026 — it only touches the exterior and everything inside runs normally, but scaffolding can block the view from some rooms, so it's worth asking when you book. The indoor pool is also on the small side at 12 meters, fine for a dip but not for laps.
Our take
ANA Crowne Plaza Kobe is the best pick for travelers moving across several Kansai cities. You get a 1-minute indoor link to the Shinkansen, a subway hop to Sannomiya, 30 minutes to Osaka and 50 minutes to Kyoto, which makes it a strong base for the whole region. The 8.8/10 score and a $108 starting rate are good value for 33-sqm rooms, the 36th-floor Sky Lounge and 8 restaurants — most of all for business travelers and IHG members.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- Connected directly to Shin-Kobe Shinkansen station. It's about a 1-minute walk indoors from the Central Gate to the lobby, so you never have to step outside or haul bags up stairs.
- A 36-floor tower with 593 rooms, and Standard rooms start at 33 sqm. That's noticeably bigger than what you'd get at most Tokyo hotels.
- The Sky Lounge on the 36th floor looks out over Mt. Rokko by day and the lights of Kobe after dark.
- Eight restaurants on site cover Japanese, Chinese, French, Italian and teppanyaki, so you rarely need to leave the building to eat well.
- Part of IHG One Rewards. You can earn points and status (Diamond, Platinum), which unlocks executive lounge access.
- It sits apart from Sannomiya. Reaching the main hub means one subway stop for ¥210 (about $1.50) or a 15-minute walk downhill.
- The facade is under repair from November 2025 to September 2026. It only affects the exterior, but scaffolding can block the view from some rooms.
- The indoor pool is small at 12 meters, so it's more for a quick dip than serious swimming.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Things to do near Kobe
Day tours, attraction tickets and experiences around Kobe — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.
See activities in KobeAffiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Insider Tips
- Ask for a room on the 25th floor or higher on the Mt. Rokko side. You get the green mountain by day and the cable car lights climbing it after dark.
- Book through IHG One Rewards to collect points, and Platinum members get a welcome amenity.
- Take the 2-minute indoor walk to Shin-Kobe Shinkansen and you'll dodge both rain and sun.
- The 36th-floor Sky Lounge is open 17:00-24:00; a cocktail runs ¥1,800 (about $12) and the window tables come with the view for free.