Maiko Marine Promenade

While the eighth-floor observation area is the main draw, it’s also worth popping down to the first floor, where interpretive information and a film are displayed. Numerous private Kobe tours include a stop at the promenade, and going with a guide is a good idea if you don't speak Japanese or want additional insight into the history and development of the bridge and its impact on life in Kobe.

• Part of the promenade's floor is glass, with views straight into the water, which can induce vertigo in some people.

• Meals, snacks, and desserts are available at the on-site Tom's Cafe, which offers views over the Akashi Strait.

• Students visit for free, and people 70 and older get discounted admission.

Maiko Marine Promenade is located in the southwestern part of Kobe and is well-connected to the rest of the city by public transportation. It’s a 5-minute walk from both the Maiko Park Station (on the Sanyo Electric Railway) and the Maiko Station (on the JR Kobe Line). The Express Maiko Bus Stop is also a 5-minute walk away.

Maiko Marine Promenade is open year-round, with extended hours during Golden Week (late April through early May) and during the summer holidays. The promenade is closed on the second Monday of October through March (or on the following Tuesday in cases where the second Monday of the month is a national holiday). The promenade is also closed from Dec. 29–31.

Constructed in 1998 to connect Kobe to Awaji Island, this lengthy suspension bridge measures an impressive 2.4 miles (3.9 kilometers) from one end to the other. For a thrilling look at the bridge, you can take a tour to the top of one of its towers to check out the views.