The Kobe Port Tower is a 108-metre landmark that has defined the Kobe waterfront since 1963. Its red lattice hyperboloid structure — narrower in the middle than at top or bottom — is one of the most distinctive skyline elements in Japan and appears on every postcard of the city. The tower was extensively renovated in 2023 and reopened with an improved observation deck, a rooftop terrace, and a glass floor section for those who want to look straight down at the harbour.
The views from the top take in the full sweep of Osaka Bay, the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge to the west, and on clear days the mountains of Awaji Island and further peaks beyond. The tower stands in Meriken Park alongside the Kobe Maritime Museum and the earthquake memorial.