An iconic landmark of Kobe’s seafront cityscape Kobe Port Tower cuts a happy figure with its upbeat 60’s design but despite its modern appearance it also bears tribute to Japanese tradition.
Kobe Port Tower
Completed in 1963, the tower, with its hourglass figure, was actually designed to resemble a tsuzumi: a type of traditional hand drum, which is used in Noh plays and Kabuki dramas. The unusual lattice of red piping on the tower’s exterior resembles the red ropes of this traditional drum.
The tower is illuminated at night
The 108-meter high tower was closed in 2021 for renovations, but it reopened in April 2024 with a new observation deck on the tower’s rooftop, which was previously closed to the public. From here visitors can now enjoy a panoramic view over the Rokko mountains, the city of Kobe and its harbor.
The rooftop observation deck
Inside, Kobe Port Tower has two areas: an Observation Area in the top half of the tower that you need to pay to enter, and the Lower Floors in the bottom half of the tower that are completely free to enter.
The Observation Area includes five floors of attractions that include a rotating bar/cafe, an interactive light museum, a gallery and a souvenir shop. There is also the rooftop deck that you can access above the Observation Area for a slightly higher entrance fee.
The Lower Floors have a variety of shops and a restaurant with terrace bar that can all be freely accessed during the tower’s opening hours.
Here are the highlights:
The Observation Area
The rooftop deck is a new feature on the tower: a glass-walled, open-air walkway that gives visitors a 360 degree view over the mountains and the sea and the city that lies between them.
The rooftop observation deck
A view over Kobe harbor from the rooftop deck
The 5th floor of the Observation Area is an indoor observation deck. Here you can enjoy the view over the city while sheltered from the weather outside. On windy or rainy days you may want to spend longer here than on the rooftop!
The 5th floor observation deck
The 4th floor is an interactive art gallery called the Brilliance Museum. In one section you can create flower patterns on the floor as you walk across it. In others you can color the images on the walls, or touch the walls to create a fireworks display.
Inside the 4th floor gallery
The 3rd floor is a rotating bar and cafe. Here you can watch the changing scenery passing before you while enjoying snacks, desserts and drinks.
The rotating bar and cafe
The 2nd floor is a souvenir shop selling a huge range of original Kobe Port Tower-themed merchandise.
The souvenir shop
On the 1st floor there is an art gallery with changing exhibitions that support local artists.
The Lower Floors
On the 4th floor of the Lower Floors there is an open-air terrace with a bar and cafe.
The 4th floor terrace
The 3rd floor is an indoor restaurant serving Western-style cuisine.
The 3rd floor restaurant
On the 2nd floor are some shops, which include Beams Japan: a store that sells a mix of fashion, accessories and interior goods.
Inside Beams Japan on the 2nd floor
The 1st floor is the entrance and ticket office for the tower.
Access
Once you have bought your tickets you can use the tower’s elevators, which automatically run between the ground floor and the 5th floor of the Observation Area. From there, visitors can use stairs to access the rooftop observation deck above, and the other four floors below.
Visitors who are using wheelchairs or have difficulty using stairs, can ask a member of staff on the ground floor for help before going up to the Observation Area. A member of staff can accompany such visitors and operate the elevator manually between the individual floors. Wheelchair users will not be able to access the rooftop observation deck, but they can still enjoy the views from the 5th floor observatory.
Kobe Port Tower at night. The white building beside it is Kobe Maritime Museum
Admission Fees
Observation Area + Rooftop:
Adults: 1,200 yen
Children (elementary or junior high students): 500 yen
Observation Area only:
Adults: 1,000 yen
Children: 400 yen
Toddlers: completely free
Tickets can be bought at the tower on the day, but during busy periods visitors may have to wait in line. To avoid a long wait it is also possible to buy your tickets in advance from the official Kobe Port Tower website.
Opening Hours
Observation Area: 9.00 – 23.00 (last entrance at 22.30)
Last orders at the rotating cafe and bar: 22.00
Observation Area shop: 9.00 – 22.00
Lower Floors:
3rd and 4th floor restaurant and terrace bar: 11.00 – 21.00
2nd floor shops: 10.00 – 20.00
The Lower Floors of Kobe Port Tower are open all year round but the Observation Area and the rooftop deck may sometimes be closed for inspections or private events.
Article and original photos by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved.
