Kobe Meriken Park(Kobe Port, Kobe Port Tower, Earthquake Memorial Park, Kobe Maritime Museum/Kawasaki Good Times World)

The park was built on reclaimed land between Meriken Park, which was opened in 1868 as the port of delivery for foreign goods, and Naka Tottei (the Central Pier), which was built in the Taisho Era (1912-1926).The Port Tower and the Maritime Museum are lit up at night and the view is highly recommended.

Information

• Hours : Kobe Port Tower 9:00-20:30 (March-November) 9:00-18:30 (December-February)
  Kobe Maritime Museum/Kawasaki Good Times World 10:00-17:00 (Last entry: 16:30)
• Closed : Port Tower - Open year round
  Maritime Museum/Kawasaki Good Times World - Mondays (the following weekday when Monday is a national holiday) , December 29-January 3
• Fee : Port Tower: Adults (over 16 years old) ¥600, Children (Elementary and Junior High School Students) ¥300
  Maritime Museum/Kawasaki Good Times World Adults (over 16 years old) ¥500, Children (Elementary and Junior High School Students) ¥250
• Access : 10 minute walk from JR Motomachi Station
• Address : Hatoba-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe
• Inquiries : Kobe City Information Center 078-322-0220
• URL : Kobe Port Towerhttp://www.kobe-meriken.or.jp/
  Kawasaki Good Times Worldhttp://www.khi.co.jp/kawasakiworld/english/index.html

Takeda Castle Ruins

The Takeda Castle constructed on the mountain is one of one hundred famous castles in Japan. Its base was constructed in the 15th century and the scale is 400m from north to south and 100m from east to west. Even now it has a grand and dignified appearance and a magnificent view.

Information

• Access : 30 minutes walk from JR Takeda Station
• Address : Takeda, Wadayama-cho, Asago City
• Inquiries : Takeda Castle Ruins 079-672-4003
• URL :http://www.city.asago.hyogo.jp/category/2-2-0-0-0.html (Japanese)

Awaji Yume Butai (Awaji Island Project)

To reuse the site where the earth was removed for the construction of Kansai International Airport, World-famous architect Tadao Ando designed this multi-purpose complex. Designed to represent the unity between people and nature, visitors will find fascinating facilities such as an incredible pool with more than a million scallop shells embedded in the bottom, as well as Japan’s biggest greenhouse, Kiseki-no-hoshi-no-shokubutsukan.

Information

• Access : Take the express bus from JR Maiko Station for 15 minutes and get off at Awaji Yume Butai-mae Bus Stop.
• Address : Awaj-ishi Yume Butai
• Inquiries : Awaji Yume Butai 0799-74-1000
• URL :http://www.yumebutai.co.jp/(Japanese)