This autumn, the Moomins are coming to Kobe’s iconic red tower. “MOOMIN × KOBE PORT TOWER – Moomin × Kobe Port Tower Project, a part of KOBE,” an event that combines the world of the Moomins with a tour of Kobe, began on Saturday, October 10, 2026, with Kobe Port Tower as its base. It runs for 52 days, until Monday, November 30. Twenty-two facilities and businesses are taking part, from the hillside Kitano district to downtown Motomachi and Sannomiya and the waterfront.
Moomin art on the rooftop deck, 108 m above ground
At the unveiling the day before the opening, Kobe-born professional figure skater Mai Mihara, who became an ambassador for Kobe Port Tower and Felissimo on October 1, made an appearance. She recalled being given a Moomin plush toy by a fan at a competition in Finland during her competitive career, and brought that very toy with her. Felissimo president Kazuhiko Yazaki spoke about how well Kobe suits the world of the Moomins.
©Moomin Characters ™
On the rooftop deck, 108 m above ground, Moomin art has been drawn on the glass walls, and a special event flag flies from the lightning rod. You can take photos with the sea and cityscape behind you. On observation floor 5, there are new photo spots themed on Moomin and Little My.
Limited-edition goods and digital fireworks art
Event-only items that went on sale on October 10 were also shown on observation floor 5. They include “Kobe kawara senbei” (tile-shaped crackers) with Moomin illustrations, “mini gaufres” and a canvas tote bag. The “commemorative medal” can only be bought at Kobe Port Tower.
©Moomin Characters ™
At the “Museum of Light” on observation floor 4, a special limited-time show is running. Hold your hand up to the wall and colorful digital fireworks and Moomin characters spread out, following your movements.
©Moomin Characters ™
Hotels, a cruise and Kitano’s historic Western houses take part
The keywords are “eat, shop, snap and stay.” Venues including Hotel Okura Kobe and other hotels, the cruise ship THE KOBE CRUISE Concerto, Kitano Medium House, Kobe Kitano Museum and the former Drewell House “Rhine House” are offering original products and collaboration menus. Photo spots in each area are also planned, with details to be announced. Start at the tower and head on to the historic foreign residences (ijinkan) of Kitano or a harbor cruise, and you have an excuse to take in Kobe’s mountains, city and sea in a single day.
Also from October 10, the Kobe City Museum began “Tove and the Moomins Exhibition – In Search of Something Special.” The exhibition shows about 300 items, including oil paintings, original artwork and personal belongings of Tove Jansson, the creator of the Moomins, and runs until Sunday, December 13.
Event details
- Event: MOOMIN × KOBE PORT TOWER – Moomin × Kobe Port Tower Project, a part of KOBE
- Period: Saturday, October 10 – Monday, November 30, 2026
- Main venue: Kobe Port Tower
- Participating areas: 22 facilities and businesses in Kitano, Motomachi, Sannomiya and the waterfront (hours vary by facility; participating facilities may change)
- Co-hosts: Felissimo Corporation, Rights & Brands Inc.
- Supported by: City of Kobe, Kobe Tourism Bureau
- Event details (Japanese): https://feli.jp/s/pr261002/1/
- Kobe Port Tower website: https://www.kobe-port-tower.com/
- Related exhibition: “Tove and the Moomins Exhibition – In Search of Something Special,” Kobe City Museum, Saturday, October 10 – Sunday, December 13, 2026 (Japanese): https://tove-moomins.exhibit.jp/
