Kobe Port Tower

Kobe Port Tower

Kobe Port Tower is an observation tower located in Motomachi, Chūō-ku, Kobe City, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan. Designed by Nikken Sekkei and completed in 1963, it is the world’s only tubular-structured observation tower, a renowned attraction in Japan, and one of the most recognizable landmarks of Kobe.

Kobe Port Tower has a total of eight floors and stands 108 meters tall. Its design is inspired by the Japanese drum, and the structure is wrapped in 32 red steel ribs, symbolizing a welcome to ships returning to shore. The tower is divided into two main sections — the ground level and the tower body — with three and five floors respectively, and their levels are counted separately. The ground-level floors mainly house souvenir shops and restaurants: the first floor features a souvenir shop and the ticket counter for the observation deck, while the second floor includes both a souvenir shop and a restaurant. The top three floors of the tower body are all 360-degree observation decks: the third floor is a rotating café that completes a full rotation every 20 minutes; the fourth floor offers views as far as Awaji Island and Osaka Bay; and the fifth floor provides views stretching to Mount Rokkō and Kansai International Airport.

Starting in November 2009, Kobe Port Tower underwent comprehensive facility maintenance and renovation, reopening to visitors in 2010 with a completely refreshed look. Its vivid red exterior, illuminated at night, becomes even more dazzling.

Kobe Port Tower

Must-visit reason: The world’s only observation tower with a tubular structure

Continent where the attraction is located: Asia【Asia】

Country/Region where the attraction is located: Japan[Japan]

Prefecture/State where the attraction is located: Hyōgo Prefecture [Hyōgo Prefecture]

City where the attraction is located: Kobe City [Kobe ]