Originally Posted by evergrn

I'd go with Itami. As jib71 says, direct bus to Shin Osaka then catching the bullet train from there is the easier option. Unless you want to take a cab from Kobe airport to Shin Kobe, which could be expensive.

I've never been to Kobe Airport. But I have looked recently into flying there. It seems that, other than taxi, the only way to get to Kobe is by taking that Port Island train. Then you have a tricky transfer at Sannomiya to get on the subway. But the subway's Shin Kobe platform is a fair bit of walk away from the bullet train. Unless you want to take a cab, I don't see Kobe airport to Shin Kobe being an easy journey with bags and everything.