Meriken Park
Meriken Park, located at the Port of Kobe, is a waterfront open plaza featuring the Kobe Port Tower, Kobe Maritime Museum, the “BE KOBE” sign, the Meriken Park Oriental Hotel, and an earthquake memorial park. It was built in 1987 and named after Meriken Wharf, whose name came from the nearby American Consulate in the 1870s. Meriken was the translation of “American” at that time.
Meriken Park
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Best Things to Do in Meriken Park
Photography with “BE KOBE” and Other Monuments
The harbor-side monument “BE KOBE” was erected in 2017 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Port of Kobe, indicating the pride of Kobe people. Now, it is the most popular photo backdrop in Meriken Park. At night, the lit-up BE KOBE, backed by the cruise-shaped Meriken Park Oriental Hotel, looks even more attractive.There are many other uniquely designed monuments in the park. One of the most representative is the 22-meter-tall (72-foot) Fish Dance Monument, made up of iron meshes, for the 120th anniversary of the Port of Kobe. Another one is the Bell of Hortensia- more likely known as hydrangea, the city flower of Kobe. It was built in 1990 for the first Kobe Fashion Festival and is in a strange shape worth photography.
Explore Kobe Maritime Museum
The museum’s appearance is like a sailboat, with impressive nighttime illumination. It introduces the development of the Port of Kobe and Japanese shipping through authentic ships, models, videos, and pictures.Another attraction is an annex corporate exhibition hall, Kawasaki Good Times World. As one of Japan's most important heavy industrial companies, Kawasaki has almost grown up alongside the Port of Kobe. This museum is highly interactive by displaying various vehicle models available for trying, such as Shinkansen driving, motorcycle riding, jet skiing, and helicopter taking.
Opening Hours: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm, last admission at 5:30 pm
Closing Time: Every Monday, or Tuesday if Monday is a national holiday in Japan; January 1st
Admission Fee: JPY900, one ticket for both the two above-mentioned.
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Visit the Kobe Port Tower
The Kobe Port Tower is right next to the Kobe Maritime Museum. It is the world's only observation tower with a tubular structure and ruled curved surface. The Tsuzumi-like-appearance, a Japanese drum, in all red makes it the most eye-catching spot in the park. The tower's reddened illumination and the maritime museum's green illumination add beauty to each other at night.
Earthquake Memorial Park
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Visit the Port of Kobe Earthquake Memorial Park
The waterfront memorial park is to the east of Kobe Port Tower for a 10-minute walk. It displays the preserved post-disaster site of the Great Hanshin Earthquake in 1995 as if the devastation reappears in front of you.Take Part in Seasonal Festivals
The Kobe Bon Odori Festival
It is an annual Japanese traditional summer dance festival. People dance in a circle to traditional folk songs from all over Japan and Kobe's unique local tunes.Time: Usually over 4 hours from sunset on a Saturday in late August.
5 Days of Colorful Kobe
It is a fireworks display for five consecutive days to be held in late October 2024. Displaying fireworks with music is the highlight.Duration: Usually 10-15 minutes from 6:30 pm
Tip: Festivals will be canceled in case of extreme weather like heavy rain.How to Get to Meriken Park
A Port Loop or City Loop Bus is the most convenient way to Meriken Park. Both lines have two stations around the park: “Meriken Park” and “Kobe Port Tower mae.” Merikan Park Station is near the Port of Kobe Earthquake Memorial Park, northeast of other sites, and it is advisable to get off at Kobe Tower mae.
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Bus Schedule |
Port Loop |
City Loop |
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Usual Day |
First Bus |
9:25 am |
8:35 am |
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Last Bus |
7:55 pm |
7:10 pm |
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Weekend |
First Bus |
9:20 am |
8:25 am |
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Last Bus |
8:05 pm |
7:37 pm |
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One-day Ticket Pass for Port Loop and City Loop |
Aged 12 and above: JPY700 Aged below 12: JPY350 |
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