Kobe Port Tower ［神戸ポートタワー］

Kobe Port Tower

The Kobe Port Tower is a sightseeing tower considered as a landmark of Kobe. It stands in Meriken Park facing the Kobe Port where the Kobe Maritime Museum and a number of hotels can be found.

With a red pipe structure, it beautiful curves in a shape of a Tsuzumi (traditional Japanese musical instrument) and has received many architectural awards since it was completed in 1963.

The tower stands at a height of 108 meters with an observation deck at the top that offers a panoramic view. Far below, you can see the downtown areas of Kobe including Motomachi, Sannomiya, Kitano, and Chinatown spreading before your eyes. The city of Osaka can be seen on the eastern side while to the west are Awaji Island and Akashi Kaikyo Bridge. Enjoyable views of the Kobe Airport to the south and of the Rokko Mountains to the north are also offered.

In the tower, there is a rotating cafe as well as a souvenir shop.

Its crimson exterior is lit up at nighttime, creating a vivid contrast with the white walls of Kobe Maritime Museum that stands nearby.