Kobe Port Tower

Rising over Kobe Harbor, this port tower is known as the “Beauty of the Iron Tower” for its graceful hyperboloid shape—like an elongated drum—and its vivid red exterior. Loved by locals as a symbol of Kobe since its debut in 1973 (1963), it reopened after Approx. 2.5 years of seismic reinforcement and renovation, with a grand renewal in April 2024.

The biggest highlight of the renewal is the rooftop area, open to visitors for the first time. From the open-air, glass-walled deck you reach by stairs from the 5th observation floor—where the elevator arrives—you can take in a 360-degree panoramic view of Kobe’s cityscape and harbor. Enjoy spectacular views that change with the time of day, from sparkling seas and blue skies to beautifully glowing night scenery.

Other new spots include a museum displaying LED neon art on the observation floors and a rotating cafe & bar that takes 30 minutes to make one full rotation. On the lower floors—accessible without a ticket—a cafe restaurant with a newly built terrace where you can enjoy food and drinks with harbor views, plus a select shop featuring Kobe specialties, have also opened.