Kobe Port Tower Revisited 2018 - Hyogo

Located at 5-5 Hatoba-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe City in Hyogo Prefecture, Kobe Port Tower  (神戸ポートタワー) is probably the most famous landmark of the port city. 

Kobe Port Tower  (神戸ポートタワー)

Kobe Port Tower History

Probably the most photographed as well, Kobe Port Tower was designed by the Nikken Sekkei Company and was constructed in 1963. The tower stands 354 feet and 3.97 inches.  Its hyperboloid design is said to be patterned from the Tsuzumi which is a Japanese drum. It is famous for its red color which stands out from the blue skies and white and grey buildings around it. 

Kobe Port Tower (神戸ポートタワー) - Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture

Kobe Port Tower

Finally, we reached the entrance!

My family and I first visited Kobe Port Tower way back on January 11, 2015. During our first visit, we were only able to visit its ground floor level where souvenirs are sold. Sadly, since we were pressed for time then, we did not head up to the sightseeing level or the observation area. However, since it was a beautiful sunny day then, we were able to take pictures of its facade before heading to Shin-Kobe Station to ride the shinkansen to Himeji. 

Views from Kobe Port Tower:

Northern view...

...The Hanshin Expressway, Kaigandori area of the city, and the Southwestern side of Mt. Rokko

Eastern view...

...Kobe Maritime Museum, Meriken Park, and the Port of Kobe

Western view...

...Kobe Bay Cruise, Konan Harborland, and Hotel La Suite

Southern view...

...Mosaic, Anpanman Museum, and Port of Kobe

They should clean the glass floor panels

Leave a lock if you brought your partner along with you.

We got to revisit Kobe Port Tower last June 6, 2018, during the 21st day of our second time in Japan. This time, we made sure that we'd get to visit the sightseeing levels. This level has five floors. The first floor has an aerial viewing area which is 75 meters above the ground. The second floor has more observation decks which give it a different and higher vantage point than the first floor. A cafe that rotates 360 degrees per 20 minutes is found on the third floor. On the other hand, the fourth floor has a great view of Awajishima and Osaka Bay while the fifth floor provides a picturesque view of Mr. Rokko and Kansai International Airport. 

The rates as of 2019

Kobe Port Tower Admission Fee:

To be able to visit this area, one has to pay 700 yen per adult and 300 yen per child. Visitors can also avail of the multi-use ticket for just 1000 yen. This ticket allows you entry to both Kobe Port Tower and Kobe Maritime Museum.

Thank you, Mr. Toshi and Ms. Taeko for this experience

Overall, I could say that revisiting Kobe Port Tower was totally worth it. It gave me a chance to see the city and the bay from a different and more beautiful perspective. The best part of it was that we managed to visit Kobe Maritime Museum as well as we availed of the multi-use ticket.

 

Look who enjoyed her visit...

Kobe Port Tower Plushies are one of the best things to bring home

If you want to read my previous article about the Kobe Port Tower, you may click this LINK.

If you want to read about how our day went during our first visit, you may click this LINK. 

Kobe Port Tower Opening Hours:

Kobe Port Tower is open from 9AM to 8:30PM every day.

Why visit the Kobe Port Tower?

Kobe Port Tower is a symbol of Kobe City. It offers an amazing panoramic view of the city and the surrounding bay and mountains. It's best to include it in your itinerary when visiting Kobe City.

Getting to Kobe Port Tower:

From Kansai International Airport, ride the limousine bus going to Sannomiya which is about 65 minutes away. From there, ride the train from JR/ Hanshin Sannomiya Station and board down at Motomachi Station. Kobe Port Tower is a mere 15-minute walk away. 

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