Kobe Already Set a Cruise Record, and 2027 Bookings Point Higher

The Port of Kobe is reporting a positive outlook for 2026 after a record 2025, when it handled 143 cruise calls, and it expects to maintain that level this year. Berth reservations for 2027 point to a further increase. A port official, Iba, said that sixty percent of 2026 callers will use the port for turnarounds, meaning ships start or end voyages there rather than simply stopping by.

Turnaround calls typically bring embarking and disembarking passengers into the city. Kobe has shown the scale of its traffic on busy days: on 13 March 2026 four ships called, Amadea, Asuka II, Azamara Pursuit and Mitsui Ocean Fuji, and the next day four more called, Amadea, Asuka II, Asuka III and Azamara Pursuit.

One regular stands out: Amadea, formerly named Asuka, has called at Kobe more than 100 times. The port also offers LNG bunkering from April, a notable detail as cruise lines look at cleaner fuel options, and a free shuttle bus runs between the port and the city centre.

For travellers, a busy port is a mixed blessing. It means plenty of itineraries to choose from, including voyages that begin or end in Japan, but it also means that popular days can see several ships in town at once. Passengers on a Kobe call can use the free shuttle to reach the city centre, and those planning a visit in 2027 may want to book early, as berth reservations suggest an even busier calendar.

Sources: Cruise Industry News