Kobe’s million-dollar view

In April this year, I'll be off to Japan. Hooray :)

One thing I'm considering to do, is to take a ferry from Takamatsu to Kobe. My goal with that is to get to see Kobe's "million-dollar" skyline by dawn, as the ship is coming into Kobe's harbour.

The ship I'll be taking to do that, is the Jumbo Ferry (http://www.ferry.co.jp/pdf/jumbo-ferry-guide-book.pdf) and I was hoping the 14:30--19:00 service would provide me with said view. I looked up sundown times for Kobe in April, and sundown is around 18:30. But civil twilight is at 19:00, which, if memory serves, is still quite light. I guess sundown means "the sun hits the horizon", which indeed isn't dark at all.

I was wondering what would be the best course of action. Risk it, and hope that Kobe will be lit up, and then just underexpose my pictures... Or take the next ferry that arrives at midnight, which may pose a problem with my hotel check-in... Or perhaps a different approach is possible? Maybe another ferry that arrives later? Or a totally different way to see the skyline by darkness?

Any advice?

I find that Kobe looks interesting from Rokko but coming in from the sea won't give much of a view.

It depends on the season. If in summer you won't get anything. But in winter lights would be all lighted up.

Don't risk it. You've already taken the trouble to get all the way to Japan. Unless you are certain, I.e. going in winter

Mind you, the guide I linked specifically says "million-dollar night view", which I why I got interested in the ferry option.

During winter might be a better option perhaps. It'll be a few years before I visit Japan during winter again (I have before, it's great!) so I'll have something more to look forward to I guess.

I'll be visiting Mt Rokko as well, so I'll trust you on that one. And I'll hike to Nunobiki Falls as well (well, I'll try to) which might also provide a nice lookout at the Kobe skyline.

I'll stay in Kobe for 3 or 4 nights (not sure yet) so I do have some other options to consider. Perhaps there's a sightseeing ferry that provides a nice evening view onto Meriken Park?...

The so-called million dollar night view is from Mt. Rokko, not the ferry. You've been hyped. :)

If I understand it correctly Thany is looking for a view towards an illuminated Kobe from the sea around sunset. While the view from mount Rokko is definitely a million dollar view, it is quite a different view than the one you have approaching Kobe by boat. I found this website with interesting and beautiful night views of Kobe http://feel-kobe.jp/kobe-yakei/_en/area/sea_side/
Can't make any suggestions as to which ferry to take, but I'm sure you can find out once you are in Kobe.
Several years ago we had lunch at a restaurant overlooking Kobe, it was either Granite Cafe or Garden Restaurant Fusha, the views from their terrace was breathtaking as well! As long as you have a clear day all the pictures, no matter from where you take them, should turn out perfect!
Best of luck with your pictures and have a wonderful trip!
Goede reis ;-)

I've been to Kyushu at night, and I have to say those pictures aren't all that truthfull.

It only looks nice at certain angles and on clear days. As the lights changes colors, you have to stand there waiting with a camera to get a good shot.

If you've been to Hong Kong, you can understand how Kobe night view is like.

In my opinion, besdies the view from Rokko, Kobe is just another metropolitan city. It's only unique feature being the skyline near a body of water, which is not that unique.

Been to Kobe twice and a day exploring Sannomiya and Kobe harbor land and a night at Rokko is the best use of time. Sad to say, Osaka has better night life and food, and Kyoto has more culture. (Note: You can get Kobe beef in Osaka)

This is the view from a boat during the day:
http://www.kobe-meriken.or.jp/english/img/terminal/main-img.jpg

and a night view from 1/2 way up Mt Rokkohttp://www.japan-ryokan.net/kobeherb/en/images/img_1_1_l.jpg
another night view:
http://us.123rf.com/450wm/2nix/2nix1402/2nix140200020/25631765-10-mill...

I may be jaded as I have lived in several cities by the sea with view points from mountains, hills or a high building, but never found the night views that spectacular, UNLESS someone lives in a very small town..

Mind you some towns have some clever light shows during a festival: http://www.hotel-alizes-bordeaux.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Place-...

http://imagescorp.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Bordeaux-f%C3%AAte-le...

This is the view from a boat during the day:
http://www.kobe-meriken.or.jp/english/img/terminal/main-img.jpg

That must be a flying boat, since those two views are obviously taken from the air. :)

Remeber, if you are going to shoot it from a boat, you won't be able to use tripod. It will have to be handheld shots with relatively high shutter speeds to compensate for the the boat movement. So, the darker it will get, more difficult it will be to get a good picture. You can push the ISO up, but then you will get noise. So, I think around sunset is the best time. The sky will have some light and color, while most of the lights will be turned on for the commercial buildings.

Good luck.

Dick H...glad you and the other readers had a good laugh at my expense...
It was after midnight in my town, and my brain was "flying" I guess..