The Kobe Port Tower was designed by the Nikken Sekkei Company and was completed in 1963.

[1] The maintenance of the whole facility began since November 2009 and the Kobe Port Tower was closed to the public from 12 January 2010 for refurbishment.

It was renovated and re-opened to public for the sightseeing deck on 19 March 2010 but Kobe Port Tower completes the installation of 7,000 light-emitting diodes (LED) lighting equipment with 40 lighting effects starting from the re-opening day of 28 April 2010.

[2][3] The facility was once again closed to the public from 27 September 2021 for renovation and seismic retrofitting.

[1][6] The Tower is surrounded by 32 red steel staves as symbolize welcome vessels return to the shore.