A friend once told me that Kobe Harborland reminds him of Cape Town. Now, I grew up in Jo’burg, so I have no attachment to the V&A Waterfront, but anyone who’s anyone knows we had our own version and it was ten times better. Sure, we didn’t get the mountain backdrop or two oceans, but who needs that when you’ve got mini golf, laser tag, a skatepark, and a legendary musical fountain?
Jo’burg kids who grew up in the late ’90s and early ’00s know the lore of the Randburg Waterfront. In it’s heyday, it was the pride and joy of the neighborhood and a keeper of many secrets. And even though it has long since been torn down, the memories live on. To this day, any wharf-like attraction delivers a wave of nostalgia that hits me right in the feels. So, after walking the Nunobiki Herb Gardens all day, I decided to head over to Kobe’s and grab a bite to eat.
Harborland is a waterfront entertainment district, built on the site of a former freight yard of the Japanese National Railways. It opened in 1992 and offers gorgeous views of the harbor, sea, and Kobe Port Tower. The district comprises several shopping complexes, including a huge mall called Umie. It’s also home to a giant Ferris wheel and one of five museums in Japan dedicated to the beloved TV character, Anpanman.
Kobe Harborland is great place to get some exercise or just sit and enjoy the views and sea breeze. You can even walk all the way around to the Kobe Port Tower side to see Meriken Park. It’s home to the city’s Maritime Museum and a memorial for victims of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake. Near Meriken Park is the entrance to the city’s Chinatown, which is one of just three in Japan.
Kobe Harborland hosts many seasonal events, including illuminations during winter and fireworks in the summer. There’s no musical fountain, but there is plenty to see and do in the area and it’s worth exploring until dark to catch the gorgeous night views. As I was staying in Osaka, though, and still had to get back, I just hung around long enough to catch the last of the day’s sun. Then it was off to Umie to satisfy my craving for a juicy burger—the pleb version of Kobe beef.
Visit Kobe Harborland
Kobe Harborland is a 3-min walk from JR Kobe Station. The outdoor spaces are accessible 24/7 and admission is free, but the shops, malls, and restaurants have their own operating hours, so be sure to check the website.
