Kobe Redevelopment: The Rebirth of Kobe – Kobe City Appraisal Office / Takahiro Ogasawara

A few years ago, I posted about Kobe here. At that time, the long-term impact of the earthquake was still evident, population decline was striking, and the gap with Kyoto—once on par in urban vitality—had widened, leaving little positive news. However, since then, Kobe’s central-area redevelopment has taken shape, and the city is regaining its brightness. While the development north of JR Osaka Station currently draws much attention, Kobe’s efforts are equally impressive.

Regarding the waterfront, a major waterfront plan is underway. In the coastal area near Sannomiya and Motomachi, the western side—Harborland and Meriken Park with the Port Tower—has long been bustling with tourists. In contrast, the eastern New Port Pier area, formerly dotted with warehouses, did not attract general visitors. Under the current waterfront plan, the eastern area is heating up. Chaotic warehouses are being torn down to make way for modern facilities. In 2021, the Kobe Port Museum—housing an aquarium—opened on New Port Pier. Just last month, a distinctive arena was completed along the coast, where basketball games have already taken place and concerts by well-known artists are scheduled. Plans are also underway for a pedestrian deck to ease movement between the western and eastern waterfronts, and rumors of an east–west ropeway linking the coastal areas are circulating.

Through these initiatives—aimed at reactivating Kobe from its post-earthquake slump back to its pre-earthquake era, and even further to the vibrancy of Port pia ’81—Kobe will look completely different in about ten years. Among Kansai residents, Kobe has always been a highly popular city. It will surely transform into an equally attractive destination for people outside Kansai and inbound tourists, captivating even more visitors.