Senso-ji Temple

Kobe Port Tower (Japanese: 神戸ポートタワー) is an observation tower located in Hatoba-cho, Chuo Ward, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. It is one of the most iconic landmarks in the area. The tower was officially completed and opened in 1963, standing at a total height of 108 meters with 8 floors. It is the only observation tower in the world featuring a tubular structure with a hyperboloid design.

The design of Kobe Port Tower was inspired by traditional Japanese drums. The tower is constructed with 32 red steel columns, symbolizing a warm welcome to ships returning safely to the port. The structure is divided into two main sections: the tower body and the ground area, with five and three floors respectively, and the floors are numbered separately.

The ground area mainly features souvenir shops and dining facilities. On the first floor, there is a souvenir shop and a ticket counter for the observation floors. The second floor includes additional souvenir stores and a restaurant for visitors.

The top three floors of the tower body serve as 360-degree panoramic observation decks. The third floor features a rotating café that makes a full rotation every 20 minutes, allowing guests to enjoy city views from all angles. The fourth floor offers wide views, including Awaji Island and Osaka Bay. The fifth floor provides views of Mount Rokko and Kansai International Airport. In 2010, the ceiling of this floor was renovated to include fiber optic lighting, creating a starry sky-like visual effect.