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The green lawns and courtyards of Meriken Park make it one of the most enjoyable places in Kobe for strolling along the waterfront. Look for notable examples of contemporary architecture, shopping and dining, as well as museums that explore this area’s maritime history.
The park’s name comes from Meriken Wharf, built by Japan in the late 19th century after the country opened its ports to the world. According to local lore, when Japanese people first met Americans, they misheard their nationality as “Meriken” and chose this as the name of the new wharf in Kobe. In the 1980s, the watery area between Meriken Wharf and the pier was filled to create Meriken Park.
Watch for Earthquake Memorial Park, a modest memorial dedicated to the victims of the Great Hanshin Earthquake of 1995. This area was devastated by the earthquake. The memorial preserves a small section of the damaged wharf. View the display of photos in remembrance of this destructive event.
Explore the Kobe Maritime Museum and learn about the significance of this historic port. The white-steel framework on the museum’s exterior is designed to resemble a ship’s sails. The museum has models of ships, exhibits explaining port operations and retired ships on display both inside and outside the building.
Discover the interactive exhibits at Kawasaki Good Times World, a corporate museum adjacent to the Kobe Maritime Museum. This museum highlights the various machines produced by Kawasaki Heavy Industries over the years, including shinkansen (bullet) trains, planes, motorcycles, ships and helicopters. Don’t miss the hands-on exhibits, where visitors are free to pose on some of the well-known vehicles.
For a break from sightseeing, head to the small entertainment area found between Meriken Park and Kobe Harborland. Stop at one of the numerous restaurants and cafés and sip a drink while people-watching in this lively area. Take a scenic sightseeing cruise around Kobe Bay and the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, with departure points found at the nearby Nakatottei Chuo Terminal.
Meriken Park is about a 10-minute walk from Motomachi Station. The museums charge admission.
Make the most of your time at Meriken Park. Here is a list of the most popular activities:
Want to experience this famous attraction is an unique and memorable way? Then you must try out a Kobe Sightseeing and Nada Sake Brewery Tour from Osaka.
If you'd like even more options, check out our Kobe things to do page.
Per night/room
Dec 16 - Dec 17
Located in Kobe City Centre, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Port of Kobe Earthquake Memorial, Kobe Tower, and Meriken Park. Kawasaki Good Times World and Motomachi Shopping Street are also within 10 minutes. Minatomotomachi Station is 6 minutes by foot and Hanakuma Station is 9 minutes.
Per night/room
Dec 16 - Dec 17
Located in Sannomiya, this hotel is within 1 mi (2 km) of Kobe City Hall, Kobe Tower, and Meriken Park. Kobe Harborland and Kobe Anpanman Children's Museum & Mall are also within 2 mi (3 km). Sannomiya Hanadokeimae Station is only a 5-minute walk and Kyukyoryuchi Daimarumae Station is 6 minutes.
Per night/room
Dec 15 - Dec 16
Located in the heart of Kobe, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Minatogawa Shrine, Kobe Anpanman Children's Museum & Mall, and Kobe Harborland. Kobe Tower and Meriken Park are also within 1 mi (2 km). Kobe Station is only a 2-minute walk and Kosokukobe Station is 4 minutes.
Per night/room
Jan 6 - Jan 7
Located in Kobe City Centre, this luxury hotel is steps from Kobe Maritime Museum, Kobe Tower, and Meriken Park. Kobe Harborland and Kobe Anpanman Children's Museum & Mall are also within 15 minutes. Minatomotomachi Station is 8 minutes by foot and Hanakuma Station is 11 minutes.
Per night/room
Jan 13 - Jan 14
Located in Kobe City Centre, this hotel is within a 15-minute walk of Motomachi Shopping Street, Kobe Tower, and Meriken Park. Kobe Harborland and Kobe Anpanman Children's Museum & Mall are also within 1 mi (2 km). Kyukyoryuchi Daimarumae Station and Motomachi Station are within a 5-minute walk.
Per night/room
Jan 13 - Jan 14
Located in Sannomiya, this hotel is within 2 mi (3 km) of Ikuta Shrine, Kobe Tower, and Meriken Park. Kobe Harborland and Kobe Anpanman Children's Museum & Mall are also within 2 mi (3 km). Sannomiya Hanadokeimae Station and Kobe Sannomiya Station are within a 5-minute walk.
Per night/room
Jan 13 - Jan 14
Located in Kobe City Centre, this hotel is within 1 mi (2 km) of Kobe Tower, Meriken Park, and Kobe Harborland. Kobe Anpanman Children's Museum & Mall and Port of Kobe are also within 3 mi (5 km). Kyukyoryuchi Daimarumae Station and Motomachi Station are within a 5-minute walk.
Per night/room
Jan 5 - Jan 6
Situated in a shopping district, this luxury hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Shin-Kobe Ropeway and Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum. Nunobiki Falls and Kobe Oji Zoo are also within 2 mi (3 km). Shinkobe Station is 5 minutes by foot and Sannomiya Hanadokeimae Station is 20 minutes.