Kobe’s Port Tower was reopened in April 2024, and Suma Sea World, a comprehensive marine resort, opened in June. Along with this, the popular photo spot “BE KOBE Monument” was newly built, becoming the sixth monument in Kobe City.
On a clear and refreshing autumn weekend, we would like to introduce a 50-km cycling tour that started at Kobe Meriken Park and took in four monuments along the sea.
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BE KOBE Monument
“BE KOBE Monument” was installed in Meriken Park in 2017 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the opening of the Port of Kobe. After that, it was installed at Port Island Shiosai Plaza, Tsukuhara Ohashi Resting Area of Kamide Yamada Bicycle Path in Kita-ku, Kobe Fruit and Flower Park Osawa Roadside Station in Kita-ku, and Azure Maiko in Tarumi-ku with different materials and designs. The sixth monument was installed in Suma Seaside Park on the occasion of the opening of Kobe Suma Sea World in June 2024.
The phrase “BE KOBE” is a civic pride message that was born in the wake of the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake 20 years after the disaster and sums up the idea that “Kobe’s charm is its people.” It is said to express a sense of pride in Kobe, which loves people and their willingness to take on new challenges.
Start from Kobe Meriken Park
The cycling tour starts at Kobe Meriken Park, where the BE KOBE monument was first installed.
Kobe Port Tower, one of the symbols of Meriken Park, had been closed since 2021 due to seismic strengthening and other construction work, but was reopened in April 2024.
From here, we will head west to Suma, about 8km away.
Kobe Suma Sea World
Kobe Suma Sea World is a comprehensive marine resort located in Suma Seaside Park in Suma Ward, Kobe City.
It opened on June 1st, 2024, including a new aquarium, replacing the long-loved Kobe City Suma Seaside Aquarium. Along with this change, the nickname “Suma Sea” has also replaced “Sumasui.
The sixth BE KOBE monument was installed in June 2024 to coincide with the opening of this Sma Sea.
The colorful rainbow-colored acrylic panels embedded in the letters were made by reusing colored acrylic panels from the “Wave Tank” used in the former Suma Aquarium. The feelings of the Sumasui era have been carried over to this new “BE KOBE”.
Several new restaurants have opened in Suma Sea.
It’s time for a drink at YURT CAFÉ & BBQ PARK.
Take a break with “Honey Lemon,” an original yogurt shake with a refreshing sweet and sour taste.
Lunch with a view of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge
From Suma Sea World, ride on National Route 2 to a café-restaurant at the end of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge (about 11 km away).
Family Mart is located about 800m before the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge.
This is the location of “Weather Report,” a very popular restaurant facing the sea, which is nostalgic for those who spent their youth in the Kansai region during the Showa to Heisei Era (the bubble generation). At that time (especially on weekends), National Route 2, which was always congested, had even longer lines of cars waiting for a parking space at this restaurant.
With the construction of the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge, the sea in front of the restaurant has been landfilled and turned into a park, so there are few traces left of those days.
After passing under the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge and riding for a while, you will find “N’OCEAN”, one of the popular seaside restaurants.
A hearty lunch of 4 kinds of appetizers, local vegetables & chicken (with bread and drink).
Seats facing the sea or on the terrace offer a panoramic view of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge. Reservations can also be made for lunch time.
Akashi Kaikyo Bridge and Hyogo Prefectural Maiko Park
Maiko has flourished as a resting place for travelers since the Edo period. Maiko Park was established as a prefectural park in the Meiji era. Construction of Akashi Kaikyo Bridge over the park began in 1988 and the bridge was opened to public use in April 1998.
With a total length of 3,911m and a center span of 1,991m, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world until March 2022, when the 2,023 m-long 1915 Çanakkale Bridge opened in Dardanelles Strait in Çanakkale, western Turkey (the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge is currently ranked second in the world).
On the east side of the park is Maiko Beach, commonly known as “Azure Maiko,” with a sandy beach stretching approximately 800m. The fifth “BE KOBE” monument was installed here in July 2023.
The foot of the monument is covered with white sand, reminiscent of a sandy beach. There is also a grass plaza on the side of the beach.
The calm Seto Inland Sea and the sandy beach make for a beautiful sight.
To Kobe Harbor Land
On the way back, avoiding the busy National Route 2 as much as possible, we will pass through Hiraiso green area and ride along Suma coast again.
Passing the Kobe Brick Warehouse, you will arrive at Kobe Harbor Land.
From here, a beautiful view of Meriken Park across the street can be seen, which is typical of Kobe.
From here, we will head for Shiosai Park on Port Island, about 5km away.
Port Island Shiosai Park
Port Island Shiosai Park is located at the western end of Port Island and is a resort-like park lined with tropical trees. Here is the second monument installed in July 2018.
This monument is designed with the letters hollowed out, and at night the letters are lit up from the inside, creating a fantastic representation of the words “BE KOBE”.
The tour ends with a return to Meriken Park.
Kobe Ride Video
Course Introduction
Distance：50km Altitude gain：149m
BE KOBE
https://bekobe.smartkobe-portal.com/
Kobe Suma Sea World
https://www.kobesuma-seaworld.jp/en/
Summary
Cycling along the seaside in Kobe has almost no hills and is a pleasant ride, so it can be enjoyed as if you are pottering around on a hybrid bike or similar.
Each of the BE KOBE monuments has a different flavor, and it is attractive to be able to spend time in combination with the surrounding scenery and stores.
It can be enjoyed as a one-day trip from Kansai, or from the Tokyo metropolitan area, it is recommended to take a bicycle trip during your trip to Kansai. The area can be enjoyed regardless of the season, so please take a look at our reports on the surrounding area and each season, and enjoy your bicycle trip around Kobe.
Cyclist: AYA
Writer/Photographer: Yasushi Hanada
