Prime shopping in the heart of Kobe
Sannomiya is a major shopping venue in the center of Kobe , which includes some big underground malls. There are plenty of hotels in the area as well, making this an excellent base for travelers.
How to Get There
Sannomiya Station is a two-minute subway ride from Shin-Kobe Station, a stop on the Sanyo Shinkansen Line.
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Sannomiya Shrine
Taking its name from Sannomiya shrine, Sannomiya is Kobe's downtown heart. Overlooking the area, the shrine is home to the god of safe navigation and flourishing commercial activities, a deity who has been worshiped among the people of this port city through the ages.
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Into town
Prior to the 1920s, this area was considered outside the city center, but following a retail evolution which saw Sogo Department Store relocate from Motomachi to Sannomiya in 1933, it became a central business district.
Shopping galore
Today the area is filled with government agencies and marine trading companies as well as a diverse collection of large scale and small, independently run stores. If you do make it to Sannomiya, be sure to visit Sanchika, a popular shopping mall that's home to 120 stores and is buzzing with local customers and tourists.
* The information on this page may be subject to change due to COVID-19.