Meriken Park (神戸メリケンパーク)
Kobe Meriken Park was constructed in 1987 to commemorate the 120th anniversary of the opening of Kobe Port.
However, after the Kobe Earthquake in 1995, it was redeveloped and took on its present form.
A cruise ship is moored in front of the Oriental Hotel.
There are several tourist attractions in Meriken Park.
The Oriental Hotel seen in the photo is famous, but there are other notable sites such as Kobe Port Tower(神戸ポートタワー), Kobe Maritime Museum(神戸海洋博物館), and Kobe Port Earthquake Memorial Park.
Kobe Port Tower and Ship Sculpture.
Meriken Park is quite spacious, requiring a considerable amount of time to see everything on foot.
I heard that the night view is beautiful, so I took my time walking while waiting for the sunset.
Kobe Port Tower.
Kobe’s landmark, Kobe Port Tower, is a unique structure resembling a red hourglass.
Standing at a height of 108 meters, it’s about half the height of Seoul Tower in South Korea, with an observatory from which you can enjoy the view.
Kobe Port Tower Observatory: 600 yen (in 2009)
It is said that can enjoy the coastal scenery of Kobe from the observatory, but I didn’t go up to see it myself.
Kobe Maritime Museum.
In the midst of Meriken Park stands the Kobe Maritime Museum, famous more for its architectural style than the museum itself.
Kobe Maritime Museum Roof.
The most eye-catching building in Meriken Park, resembling Osaka’s Kaiyukan Aquarium, is more for showcasing different types of ships on the first floor and screening sea-related videos on the second.
However, I didn’t go inside.
Kobe Maritime Museum: 600 yen (in 2009)
Kobe Maritime Museum and Kobe Tower simultaneous admission ticket: 800 yen (in 2009)
Kobe Maritime Museum The building itself is a white steel structure, and it’s said to have beautiful lighting in the evening.
So, I decided to watch the night view from a distance.
Meriken Park Sightseeing Boat.
There was a sightseeing boat moored, but due to the cold weather, there weren’t many people outdoors in Meriken Park.
Therefore, there were no tourists using the sightseeing boat.
Kobe Harborland Mosaic Building and Mosaic Big Ferris Wheel.
I eventually got tired after wandering outside for a long time.
Planning to take a break indoors, I decided to head to Harborland’s Mosaic.
Dec. 15, 2009.