Kobe Harborland

What to know

Kobe Harborland (神戸ハーバーランド) is a lively shopping and entertainment district located between JR Kobe Station and the waterfront of Kobe's port area. With a wide array of shops, restaurants, cafes, and attractions, plus a romantic evening ambiance, it has become a favorite destination for couples and tourists.

The most prominent shopping complex in Kobe Harborland is Umie, which comprises three sections: Mosaic, South Mall, and North Mall.

Mosaic runs along the waterfront and features a diverse selection of restaurants, many offering harbor views of Kobe Port Tower and the Kobe Maritime Museum across the water. These views are especially enchanting at night when the landmarks are illuminated. At the southern end of Mosaic, you'll find a Ferris wheel and the Anpanman Museum, a museum dedicated to the popular manga and anime series about the bread-headed superhero.

South Mall and North Mall are enclosed shopping centers housing a department store and numerous smaller shops.

Additional shopping and dining options are scattered throughout the district's other buildings, all connected by a network of underground and surface walkways, promenades, and a waterfront boardwalk. One of the main thoroughfares, Gaslight Street, is lined with old-fashioned gas street lamps and electric lights that create a charming glow in the evenings.

Other attractions include Renga Soko, a small cluster of 19th-century brick warehouses that once belonged to a former dockyard. These low-rise brick buildings have been renovated and now house a restaurant, shops, and an event space. Additionally, a Manyo Club hot spring occupies the top floors of the Puromena skyscraper, offering panoramic city views from some of its baths and operating 24 hours a day.