Kobe’s waterfront is the city’s most relaxed and photogenic area. Meriken Park and the adjacent Harborland combine the iconic red Port Tower, a giant Ferris wheel, shopping malls and wide promenades along the water, making them ideal for an afternoon and evening by the sea.

Meriken Park

The park is home to the lattice-framed Kobe Port Tower and the maritime museum, plus a moving memorial to the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake that preserves a section of the damaged quay. The open lawns and harbour views make it a favourite for a leisurely walk.

Harborland

Just across the water, Harborland is a lively shopping and dining complex centred on the umie mall and the Mosaic boardwalk. As the sun sets, the Ferris wheel and waterfront buildings light up and reflect off the harbour, one of Kobe’s signature evening sights.

Getting There

Both areas are a short walk from JR Kobe and Kosoku-Kobe stations, or about 15 minutes on foot from Sannomiya. A harbour cruise from the piers is a fine way to see the port and the surrounding mountains from the water.

The waterfront is where Kobe feels most at ease. Time your visit for dusk to catch the city lights, then head into town for dinner.

More Kobe Travel Guides

• Kitano Ijinkan: Kobe’s Historic Foreign Quarter
• Mount Rokko and Kobe’s Famous Night View
• Kobe Beef and Nankinmachi: Eating in Kobe

See our Kobe Travel Guide for the full overview. Planning the whole trip? Visit The Complete Kobe Guide for every guide and hotel in one place.