Visit HYOGO

Kobe Port Tower, a landmark of Kobe, was reopened after renovations on April 26, 2024!

This time, I’m giving a complete report on the reborn Kobe Port Tower.

Kobe Port Tower is 108 meters tall.

It’s the symbol of the port town of Kobe, created in 1963, and its form resembles a stretched-out taiko drum, a traditional Japanese instrument. Apparently, it was the world’s first tower constructed from pipes, made through a complex combination of 32 pipes, and is a nationally registered Tangible Cultural Property.

You can reach Kobe Port Tower in around 15 minutes’ walk toward the port from JR/Hanshin Electric Railway Motomachi Station.

You’ll need a ticket that specifies the date and time to enter the main Observation Area and Rooftop Deck.

You can buy tickets on the day at the ticket counter on the first floor if there are openings in each time slot, but to reduce waiting times and avoid a situation where you can’t enter, I recommend purchasing tickets in advance.

The real thrill of the tower is the scenery, so start by heading to the rooftop! In other words, first make your way to the Rooftop Deck, the highlight of the renovations. You can take an elevator from the entry gate on the second floor. Kobe Port Tower is made up of the Observation Area (5 floors, paid entry) and the Lower Floors (4 floors, free entry). To reach the Rooftop Deck, you must climb the stairs from the U5 Observatory to which the elevator takes you.

Climb the stairs to see a 360-degree glass-sided gallery in the sky!

This stands 100 meters above the ground, and offers fantastic panoramic views of Kobe’s scenery.

The Rooftop Deck was newly established during the renovations.

This was my first time ascending Kobe Port Tower. Before the renovation, you couldn't go this far up the tower, so this is a vista that impresses even the Kobe locals. It's a great view!

This open-air space without a roof enabled me to feel the exhilarating ocean breezes. 

Since the deck is surrounded by glass, children can also fully enjoy the view clearly from their eye level.

The deck is open until 11 pm, so you can also look out over Kobe’s gorgeous nightscape, rated as a “10-million-dollar night view.”

This is definitely one sight you should see if you're coming to Kobe!

The bay area in which Kobe Port Tower stands boasts really pretty nighttime scenery, so this is apparently a major spot for dates for Kobe locals.

Onto my report, from the top of the 5-floor Observation Area down!

First is the U5 Observatory, reached via an elevator.

A great panorama lies before you, with views of Kobe Airport to the east, and the streets of Kobe and Mt. Rokko to the north. Apparently, you can see as far as Kansai International Airport and Awaji Island on clear days.

There are multiple photo spots where you can snap a unique picture on this floor—they even have little props for photographs such as speech bubbles in the local Kobe dialect.

On U4 is the small “Brilliance Museum.”

It displays LED neon art featuring the motifs of Kobe.

I particularly liked the wall art of rising fireworks where I’m touching. It’s fascinating!

Then, on U3 is a 360-degree rotating cafe & bar!

The “Ready go round” rotating cafe & bar utilizes a rotating floor—rare in Japan—inside the donut-shaped eatery.

It has a system that rotates it slowly (one revolution every 30 minutes), giving you the unique experience of enjoying both 360-degree scenery and a light meal while you sit.

You will need an entry ticket for the Observation Area to use the “Ready go round” rotating cafe & bar.

Since you can’t spend time here without a seat, I recommend booking in advance.

You can only book in advance if you buy a food and beverage seat reservation set, with an entry ticket for the Observation Area and a food and beverage seat reservation ticket for the U3 cafe & bar, on the official website. This set includes 1 food item and 1 drink.

The menu varies depending on the time of your visit. My photo shows the “bright-red berry Kobe Port Tower pancakes.” They have an array of cute social-media-worthy confections and light meals.

“Ready go round” is open until 11 pm, and at night there’s a bar with night views and a perfect mood.

I love sake, so I’m sure that drinking a cup while watching the beautiful nighttime scenery would be delicious.

U2 hosts the Kobe Port Tower Shop.

This offers an array of original Kobe Port Tower goods, unavailable anywhere else, and items perfect for souvenirs of Kobe.

U1 is the gallery floor. The images are changed periodically, and you can enjoy these works of art together with the scenery of Kobe. Part of the floor is made of glass, so you can see directly down, 75 meters below.

Next are the Lower Floors, which you can enter easily, free of charge.

You’ll find the PORT TERRACE, a cafe, restaurant & bar, on L3 and L4. This open-air terrace is a new feature.

The meals here are based on the theme of “retro western-style food,” with carefully chosen ingredients unique to Hyogo, including Kobe pork, Tajima beef, and Awaji chicken. The photo shows a Kobe pork cutlet in a demi-glace sauce.

Their Kobe Port Tower Afternoon Tea (must be reserved by 5 pm the day before for two people or more) is very cute, with an original stand inspired by the tower!

Enjoying the scenery of the bay area is a given, but looking up at the tower from inside is something special. It’s a very novel view.

L2 is the shop floor. It holds the first Beams Japan Kobe in Hyogo, and Ikori, which sells selected local products from Hyogo. Both stores have an abundance of products that are perfect for souvenirs, including limited items from Hyogo and designs unique to Kobe.

There’s also a pop-up shop called BOTTL-O, where you can buy Japanese sake from the 18 sake brewers in Nadagogo.

Kobe Port Tower has received a super power-up, starting with its fantastic views and night scenery, as well as an assembly of unique Kobe gourmet and goods.

It’s my recommended spot for sightseeing in Kobe that you definitely don't want to miss!