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Kobe Noise Regulations and Complaint Guide

Kobe’s business-audio and restaurant-hour restrictions apply in specified areas. General household noise is not directly regulated by these provisions.

Content reviewed: . Original research snapshot: 2026-10-27. Individual source capture and online-check dates are listed below.

Where to start

  1. For household noise, contact building management or the local consultation desk.
  2. For business or construction noise, use the official city or ward contact for the observed source.
  3. Keep incident times, duration, receiving location and any reference sound levels; retain a request number if one is issued.
Open official Kobe guidance (opens a new tab)

Kobe environment bureau / ward consultation: 078-595-6222 (environment bureau)

For immediate danger, use local emergency services. For other incidents, follow the official page’s category and police-response instructions.

Rules by sound source

All times are local to Kobe (Asia/Tokyo). Allowed work hours, restricted windows and periods when a standard applies have different meanings. Check zoning, holidays, permits and exceptions in the cited source.

amplified sound

Restaurant audio in designated areasRule with conditions

Sound equipment at restaurants in designated residential, neighborhood-commercial and other listed areas

Provision: 兵庫県環境の保全と創造に関する条例第63条第1項; 神戸市営業騒音のしおり

Measurement point: business premises

  • karaoke/audio equipment may not be used

    Prohibited window

    Standard period: Daily, 23:00–06:00 (ends the following day)

Not a citywide household rule. Soundproofing that prevents sound leaking outside is an exception; check the listed regulatory areas.

The midnight restaurant restriction is limited to listed low-rise/rural residential areas, with business-type exclusions. It is not a citywide closing time.

Exclusions and exceptions

  • Soundproofing that prevents external sound leakage can exempt the business.

business hours

Restaurant hours in designated low-rise areasRule with conditions

Restaurant operation in first/second low-rise residential and rural residential zones

Provision: 兵庫県環境の保全と創造に関する条例第62条第1項; 施行規則第18条の適用除外

Measurement point: business premises

  • restaurant operation prohibited

    Prohibited window

    Restricted window: Daily, 00:00–06:00

Not a citywide restaurant closing time. Applies only in listed low-rise/rural residential zones; catering, factory staff, hotel guests and traveler-serving premises have specified exclusions.

The midnight restaurant restriction is limited to listed low-rise/rural residential areas, with business-type exclusions. It is not a citywide closing time.

Exclusions and exceptions

  • Listed catering, factory staff, hotel-guest and traveler-serving businesses are excluded.

reference

Environmental goal — A/B areasEnvironmental goal

騒音に係る環境基準

Provision: 環境省「騒音に係る環境基準について」一般地域の地域類型・昼夜基準（環境目標）

Measurement point: ambient environment

  • 45 dBA · 45 dB or less

    Night

    Standard period: Daily, 22:00–06:00 (ends the following day)

    Area: A/B residential

AA 40 dB; environmental goal, not direct daily-life cap.

The midnight restaurant restriction is limited to listed low-rise/rural residential areas, with business-type exclusions. It is not a citywide closing time.

Household noise — no direct controlNo direct standard

生活騒音（一般家庭）

Provision: 神戸市FAQ 3566 — 生活騒音の相談・法令規制の対象外

Measurement point: n/a

  • no legal regulation; no city arbitration

    n/a

    Standard period: Daily, 00:00–24:00

City says it does not arbitrate or mediate; parties should talk or use legal consultation.

The midnight restaurant restriction is limited to listed low-rise/rural residential areas, with business-type exclusions. It is not a citywide closing time.

Official sources and review context

Saved-source review and online retrieval are different checks. Some sites block automated retrieval; an unavailable recheck is shown below. Open the official source to confirm the current wording and any later amendments.

Related Practical Guides

Document recurring noise

Keep a factual chronology for management or official follow-up.

Phone measurement limits

Understand reference readings and prescribed official measurements.

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