The Drum-Shaped Symbol of Kobe Port
The Kobe Port Tower (神戸ポートタワー) is a harbour observation tower of 1963 in Hatobacho, Chuo Ward, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on December 19, 2014 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a steel and reinforced-concrete tower 108 metres high, covering 479 square metres, with observation rooms; registration number 28-0601.
A Steel-Pipe Tower on the Central Pier
The Kobe Port Tower was built as a harbour museum on the central pier, chosen because it commands a view of the whole of Kobe, an international trading port (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
It was the first steel-pipe frame structure in Japan, and its straight members together form a curved, hourglass drum shape (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Why It Was Registered
The Agency calls its graceful drum shape, a curved surface made of straight members, a design that still looks new today, and notes that the tower remains a well-loved symbol of the port; it was registered for its contribution to the historic landscape.
What to Look For
Look for the hourglass shaft, where straight steel pipes combine to make a curved surface (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
According to Kobe City, the tower is open from 9:00 to 23:00 (last entry 22:30). Admission to the observation floors is 1,000 yen for adults, or 1,200 yen with the rooftop deck. It is 15 minutes on foot from JR Motomachi Station.
Q&A
- When was the Kobe Port Tower built?
- In 1963 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- How tall is it?
- 108 metres (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What is special about its structure?
- It was the first steel-pipe frame structure in Japan, with straight members forming a curved surface.
- How much is admission?
- 1,000 yen for adults to the observation floors, or 1,200 yen with the rooftop deck (Kobe City).
- When was the Kobe Port Tower registered?
- On December 19, 2014 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Kobe Port Tower (神戸ポートタワー) |
|---|---|
| Location | 7 Hatobacho and others, Chuo Ward, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2014/12/19 (Heisei 26) |
| Quantity | 1 structure |
| Dimensions | Steel and reinforced concrete, 108 m high, 479 m², with observation rooms |
| Owner | Kobe City |
| Public Access | 15 minutes on foot from JR Motomachi Station (9:00 to 23:00) |
References
- Kobe Port Tower (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00010322
- About Kobe Port Tower (Kobe City FAQ, Japanese)
- https://faq.city.kobe.lg.jp/faq/show/3794?site_domain=default
Last verified: 2026.10.19