In October 2021, a years-long project to renew the Sannomiya Station area came to an end. The Remm Plus Hotel, built on top of the Hankyu building, is now the most prominent feature of Sannomiya’s skyline. Its sleek, modern, and stylish design offers a glimpse into Kobe’s future, while the appearance of brick in its facade seems to be a nod to the Meiji-era Western architecture of Kobe’s Kitano and Kyukyoryuchi areas.
One wonderful feature of this new building, which many Kobe locals have happily discovered, is the free observation room on the 29th floor. After a swift elevator ride, visitors are treated to a panoramic view of Kobe’s mountain side.
This birds’-eye view of the mountain side is something quite novel for most Kobe residents, who are already used to looking south over the city from the top of Mt. Maya or Mt. Rokko.
From this vantage it is interesting to see the tree-lined Kitanozaka-dori stretching toward the foothills of the mountains, and visitors with good eyesight will be able to spy Kazamidori (the iconic Weathercock House) at the northern terminus of the street. You should also be able to spot the famous Uroko House just to the east.
Looking west, you can see Sorakuen Garden (the square of green) and Mt. Takatori in the far distance.
Although the views from the 29th floor are breathtaking during the day, the night view must be spectacular.
This free observation area is just one of the highlights of the renewed Hankyu Station building. Won’t you come and take in this new view of Kobe for yourself?
