Career
She represented Japan at the 2008 Summer Olympics. She started out in middle-distance events, running in the 800 metres at the 2004 World Junior Championships and then winning a 1500 m silver medal at the World Youth Championships in Athletics the following year. Kobayashi ended her season with a 5000 m gold medal at the 2009 East Asian Games.
She was selected to represent Asia/Pacific at the 2010 IAAF Continental Cup, but managed only eighth place in the 3000 m.
The following January, she ran for Hyōgo at the 2011 Women"s Inter-Prefectural Ekiden and set a new stage record in her section, although the team finished in ninth position overall. She was the bornze medalist in the 5000 m at the 2011 Asian Athletics Championships in Kobe, one place behind her compatriot Hitomi Niiya.
Personal bests 800 metres – 2:05.78 minimum (2006).
