Kobe Port Tower Is Busier and Brighter Than Ever

Japan Forward

3 days ago

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Known as the "Red Lady" for its distinctive shape and bright red exterior, Kobe Port Tower is a landmark in the Kobe Port area of Chuo Ward, Kobe City.
After about two and a half years of renovations, the tower reopened. April 2025 marked the first anniversary of its renewal. Since then, annual visitors have exceeded 640,000 — more than double the roughly 302,000 visitors recorded before the COVID-19 pandemic (FY 2019). This growth has strengthened the tower's role as a key tourism hub in Kobe.
"The introduction of LED lighting has added a new appeal through dynamic light shows," said Toshiya Mori, redevelopment section chief at the Kobe Waterfront Development Organization (KWD), which manages the tower. He proudly highlights the tower's nighttime illumination as one of the main features of the renewal. The renovated observation floor and the newly added rooftop deck.
Kobe Port Tower originally opened in November 1963 as the world's first sightseeing tower built with a pipe-structured design. Since then, the tower has been illuminated at night. Mori explains that it was "the first tower among all members of the All Japan Tower Federation to be lit up after dark." The rotating-floor café and bar "Ready go round," where guests can enjoy a meal while taking in 360-degree views of Kobe — Chuo Ward, Kobe City.
During the renovation, the lighting system was upgraded from traditional white lamps to LED lights. Previously limited to red lighting only, the new LEDs can display a wide range of colors. They can also switch colors instantly, enabling light shows synchronized with music and other nighttime events.
The renovation also included a major overhaul of the observation floor at the top of the tower. New additions include a gallery, a rotating-floor café and bar, and a museum featuring interactive light exhibits.
A new rooftop deck was added above the observation floor. It is a glass-walled, open-air sky corridor located about 100 meters above ground.
Hiroyuki Tomita, head of the Kobe Port Tower Business Department at FELISSIMO, the major mail-order company that operates the observation floor, says, "Because the floor is glass right down to your feet, some visitors feel a bit dizzy at first. But we want everyone to enjoy the full 360-degree panoramic view of Kobe." Hiroyuki Tomita, Head of the Kobe Port Tower Business Department at Felissimo.
Kobe Port Tower has long stood as a guardian over the city. After the Great Hanshin Earthquake on January 17, 1995, the tower's lighting was restored about a month later. Its bright red glow in the darkness served as a symbol of hope and courage for the people of Kobe.
The waterfront area surrounding the tower continues to develop. This spring, a large arena with a capacity of 10,000 opened. Further redevelopment aimed at revitalizing the district is also underway.
Mori says, "Although the tower has been around for over 60 years, we want it to remain an enduring landmark of the Kobe waterfront for many years to come." Kobe Port Tower reopened after renovations in April 2024.
One of the highlights of the renovation is the café and bar called "Ready go round," located on the third floor of the observation deck. The doughnut-shaped floor rotates a full 360 degrees automatically. Guests can enjoy their meals while taking in ever-changing views of Kobe through the windows at the counter seats.
Rotating restaurants like this were once common on upper floors of hotels, towers, and mountaintop observation decks. At their peak in the 1970s, there were about 50 such locations across Japan.
However, many have stopped rotating or closed down due to maintenance costs and other challenges. Today, only two remain in Hyogo Prefecture: Kobe Port Tower and the rotating observation pavilion at Sumaura Sanjo Amusement Park in Suma Ward, Kobe City.
In fact, the rotating restaurant at Kobe Port Tower has been in operation since the tower first opened around 60 years ago. Mori explains, "The floor rests on several tires connected to a motor. It's a simple setup, and the rotation speed is controlled by a control panel." However, because the equipment is quite old, "daily inspections are essential."
Tomita from FELISSIMO adds, "The café feels nostalgic to older visitors and fresh and exciting to younger ones. That retro vibe is part of its charm." The café offers a variety of menu items that change throughout the day, including original French toast made by a popular local bakery. It has become a favorite spot in the tower, where visitors can relax and enjoy Kobe's scenery and cuisine.
Author: Hirotoyo Kozai, The Sankei Shimbun
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