Opened in 1868, Kobe Port is one of Japan's three major trading ports, handling an average of over 2.1 million TEUs annually. The modern port began to take shape in the early 1900s, with significant developments occurring until 1940, focusing on the new and central wharves.
Kensuke Kitagawa, a representative from the Kobe Port Authority, explained, "From 1965 to 2005, we expanded the port's logistics capabilities by reclaiming land from the sea."
The period from the 1960s to the 1980s is characterized by a focus on containerization in port logistics. Until 1963, smaller vessels were used for transportation, but the introduction of container ships transformed maritime logistics. As a result, the existing port logistics area began to transition into urban functions.
Since 1970, the development of Meriken Park Harborland has added entertainment features to attract tourists. The redevelopment of a former national railway container base has created a vibrant area combining food, attractions, and leisure activities.
The port redevelopment faced a significant setback due to the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake in 1995. Although port facilities were restored within two years, the recovery process incurred substantial debt, negatively impacting Kobe's finances and delaying redevelopment projects.
With debt repayment completed in 2011, redevelopment efforts have gained momentum. Kitagawa noted, "You are currently in the G-Lion Hours building, which houses a museum, aquarium, food court, and residential spaces." He added, "Across the way is the G-Lion Arena Kobe, a next-generation arena with a capacity of 10,000, operated through private investment on city land."
Kobe Port Tower, established in 1964, is another key tourist attraction. Following renovations to enhance earthquake resilience by 2024, the tower has opened some outdoor observation areas. Visitor numbers, which had previously plateaued at around 300,000, have more than doubled to 600,000 annually since the reopening.
Kobe City plans to continue its redevelopment efforts with a focus on "creating new value that connects history and the future" by 2030. Naoki Sekiguchi, a section chief at the Kobe Port Authority, stated, "We will operate the port primarily for logistics while enhancing tourism and entertainment functions. Given that the port has a history of over 100 years, we aim to preserve as many of the historical buildings as possible during redevelopment."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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