“I’ll introduce Kobe Port Island, home to the Jun Port Island Building.”
Port Island, an artificial island located in Kobe Port in Chuo Ward, Kobe City, is commonly referred to as “Port Island” or “PI” and is connected to the city center via the Kobe-Ohashi Bridge and the Port Island Tunnel.
It gained prominence with the opening of the city in 1981, hosting the Portopia ’81 Exposition as the world’s largest artificial island.
The island is characterized by its advanced technology and environmental considerations, proposing a lifestyle that harmonizes nature and urban living. Moreover, it is known for its pioneering initiatives in education and healthcare, with campuses of universities and research facilities situated here, garnering attention as a medical industry hub.
With the development of port facilities, Port Island offers diverse urban functions including commerce and tourism.
Despite the damage caused by the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, Port Island has revived as a vibrant city through restoration and reconstruction efforts.
Now, after 40 years since its opening, initiatives for new urban development are underway.
Port Island is home to the headquarters buildings of many well-known large companies.
In the fashion and apparel industry, there are companies such as World Co., Ltd., Java Group, Shalle Corporation, ASICS Corporation, Noevir Co., Ltd., Otsuki Pearl Co., Ltd., and Tasaki Shinju Co., Ltd.
In the food and beverage sector, you can find the headquarters buildings of companies like UCC Ueshima Coffee Co., Ltd., Yuhaim Co., Ltd., and Fujicco Co., Ltd.
Additionally, there are facilities and headquarters buildings related to wedding venues. Near the JUN Port Island Building, there is another building designed by Tadao Ando, which used to be associated with Morozoff but is now the headquarters of Bridal Heart, a leading wedding company in Kobe.
Each corporate building has ample space within its premises and is situated amidst a lush natural environment, making it pleasant to take a leisurely stroll around.
ASICS and UCC, for example, have corporate museums attached, making them enjoyable places to visit as tourist spots.
(UCC Coffee Museum has been closed except for irregular events since the coronavirus outbreak, as of May 2024, so please check the opening days of each facility in advance.)
Port Island is emerging as a hub for healthcare and research development. Centered around the southern area, it boasts advanced medical facilities and research institutions.
As a research hub, it’s home to the building of the RIKEN Institute, famous for the supercomputer “Fugaku,” and even lends its name to the Port Liner station “Computational Science Center.”
Moreover, numerous companies involved in medical device development, manufacturing, and pharmaceutical research have set up shop in this area.
This growth positions Port Island as a center for innovation in the healthcare sector, with anticipated positive effects on the local economy such as the provision of advanced medical services and increased employment opportunities in the healthcare field.
Additionally, with campuses of universities and research facilities located here, Port Island serves as a hub for disseminating the latest trends in medical technology and research breakthroughs.
Adjacent to the Port Island Shiosai Park, there are the Kobe Gakuin University and the Hyogo College of Medicine Port Island Campus.
These campuses resemble expansive resort hotels with their stunning beauty, making the area around Port Island Shiosai Park a hidden gem for tourists looking to escape the hustle and bustle around Kobe Port.
Furthermore, there are research facilities of Kobe University and campuses such as Kobe Women’s Junior College. Recently, there have been cases of student dormitories being constructed on the sites of former corporate buildings, making it a lively city for young people.
On the other hand, there are also residential areas with condominiums and facilities for the elderly on the island, making it a community where people of various generations gather.
In Port Island, there are convention and event facilities like the International Exhibition Hall and World Memorial Hall. Residents of Kobe may come to see such everyday events, but another reason to visit is the two furniture stores in the area.
Firstly, the vastness of IKEA Kobe Store is quite impressive, but there’s also another furniture chain store, Tokyo Interior.
Close to JUN Port Island Building, IKEA Kobe Store is directly connected to the Minami Koen Station of the Port Liner. Across the road from IKEA, you’ll find Tokyo Interior, which is just as vast as IKEA, offering a wide range of furniture. With these two furniture stores nearby, everyone is sure to find the furniture they desire.
It’s a common trend among residents of Kobe to come here to find furniture once they’ve built a house or bought a condo in the area.
This city has everything from children’s hospitals, various schools, wedding venues, to furniture stores, workplaces, and elderly care facilities—all conveniently situated.
For first-time tourists using the Port Liner, please note that the Port Liner on the island operates in one direction only.
Additionally, the stations are generally unmanned, and even if you call for station staff, they may not be immediately available if they are not present at the station.
If you find yourself at a station close to your destination and within walking distance, it may be tempting to rush through the ticket gates to catch the Port Liner, especially if you’re feeling tired or in a hurry.
However, doing so may result in unintentionally traveling in a full loop around the island. While it might seem faster to exit the station and walk, remember that you would still be charged for a full station fare. Therefore, before passing through the ticket gates, it’s important to confirm the direction of the Port Liner to avoid any unnecessary inconvenience.
