Kobe Port Tower

Popular with travelers on the hunt for panoramic views and great photo opportunities, Kobe Port Tower also offers souvenir shopping, sightseeing, and dining options. The tower has five observation floors and three specialty floors that showcase views of the city skyline, the Port of Kobe, Osaka Bay, and Mount Rokko. A highlight is the Sake Tara Lounge—a rotating sake (Japanese rice wine) bar that makes a full rotation every 20 minutes, so you can toast your trip while getting 360-degree views of Kobe’s sights.

The tower is easy to find, near Merikan Park in the Central District, but many travelers come here as part of an organized excursion. Kobe Port Tower is frequently included on full- and half-day private or group sightseeing tours of Kobe’s top highlights, with a guide to provide commentary on the area’s history.

• The tower has a wheelchair-accessible entrance. The Kobe Universal Tourist Center on the 2nd floor can help visitors with limited mobility.

• There are restaurants on the first floor, as well as a rotating bar offering side dishes, sweets, and over 40 types of sake.

• The ticket office and souvenir shop are located on the second floor.

• Walk past the tower at night if you can—it lights up with over 7,000 twinkling LED lights.

Centrally located next to Meriken Park, Kobe Port Tower is easy to reach by public transportation, and there are multiple train stations within walking distance. Minato Motomachi Station (Kobe Municipal Subway Kaigan Line) is roughly a 5-minute walk away, and Motomachi Station (JR/Hanshin Line) or Hanakuma Station (Hankyu Line) are both around a 15-minute walk away.

Kobe Port Tower can be visited year-round, no matter the weather outside. The city views are particularly beautiful at night, so it’s a good idea to arrive just before sunset to watch dusk fall. Opening hours vary throughout the year, so it’s best to check the schedule before visiting.

After visiting Kobe Port Tower, there’s plenty to do nearby. Take a stroll through neighboring Meriken Park, home to the Kobe Maritime Museum and the popular photo spot next to the “BE KOBE” sign. You could also go for a ride on the Mosaic Big Ferris Wheel, followed by a walk along Kobe Harborland with its abundant shopping and entertainment options. For scenic views, another option is a Kobe Bay cruise.