Kobe Crystal Tower, Skyscraper in Chūō-ku, Japan

The Kobe Crystal Tower is a skyscraper directly in front of the east exit of Kobe Station in Chūō-ku. Its facade is a sheer curtain wall of sky-blue glass panels, rising as a single unbroken vertical block above a lower white domed glass structure. A recessed rectangular opening, darker than the surrounding glass, is set into the upper part of the front face. Because Kobe's 1984 fire prevention ordinance blocks new high-rises with glass curtain walls, the tower has an exterior rare among the city's tall buildings.

The Kobe Crystal Tower opened on 9 September 1993 directly in front of the east exit of Kobe Station, becoming the station's landmark. Its all-glass curtain wall is rare in Kobe because a 1984 city fire-prevention ordinance has blocked permits for such high-rise facades since then.

The tower's design incorporates Chinese feng shui, which is why a wind hole opens in the upper centre of the facade. Its main tenants include Kawasaki Heavy Industries' registered head office, Kawasaki Life Corporation, and a Hyogo Prefectural Government office for Harborland.

The building is located near the harbor area and is easy to spot from the surroundings. Visitors can enjoy views of the city and bay from certain public areas within or near the structure.

The tower's design incorporates Chinese feng shui principles, which is why a rectangular opening, or wind hole, is set into the upper centre of the facade. This recessed gap in the blue glass is easy to miss when looking up from Kobe Station's east exit.