Enjoy a panoramic view of Yokkaichi's night view from Umiterasu 14♪

*This article is the Japanese version of a report written in traditional Chinese by a Taiwanese writer for the traditional Chinese website "Mie Travel Information Book."​
This article introduces the charms of Mie Prefecture for foreigners who use traditional Chinese, so your perspective may be a little different, but please enjoy it as well.

A beautiful night view is something that intoxicates the soul.

This time, I would like to recommend Umiterasu 14, a sacred place for night views, for travelers who enjoy seeing the panoramic view of the city and the night view from a high position.

This is the Yokkaichi Port Building in YokkaichiCity.

This building, which boasts the highest height in Mie Prefecture, was built in 1999 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the opening of Yokkaichi Port.It is 100m tall and is a popular building from which you can enjoy a variety of scenery. It has become a popular spot.
(The photo was taken from Kasumi Port Park.)

Umiterasu 14 is located on the 14th floor of this building, so let's get on the elevator and head there♪

When you exit the elevator, the first thing you see is this "Japan Night View Heritage Certificate".

Purchase an admission ticket (310 yen) from a nearby vending machine, hand it to the receptionist, and let's enter!

At Umiterasu 14, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the surrounding Yokkaichi area, as well as an exhibition corner and navigation theater where you can learn about the history of Yokkaichi Port.
Equipped with heating in the winter and air conditioning in the summer, you can enjoy a variety of views while sitting on the sofa, making it a recommended spot for families with children and those looking to relax.

Since we have some time to enjoy the night view, let's start with the history of the industrial complex.

Yokkaichi Port was once the largest commercial port in Ise Bay, and began importing wool from Australia in 1932. Furthermore, in the 1950s, Japan's first large-scale petrochemical complex was established and developed into a typical industrial port. Currently, approximately 80% of imported cargo is crude oil and LNG, and the crude oil is sent from two sea berths installed approximately 6 km offshore to tanks installed on land via an undersea pipeline. .

This complex produces everything essential to our lives, including crude oil, gas, car fuel, ship fuel, plastics, synthetic fiber raw materials, synthetic rubber, paint raw materials, and synthetic detergents.

It is an environmentally friendly complex, and there are two parks nearby, Sydney Harbor Park and Kasumi Port Park, as well as fishing spots.

At night, the complex transforms into a fantastical appearance. It looked like a shining castle full of stars falling from the sky.

This is Sydney Harbor Park, which can be seen from Umiterasu 14.

As the import of wool from Australia increased, Yokkaichi Port and Sydney Port became sister ports in 1968, and Sydney Harbor Park was built to commemorate their mutual friendship. The long yellow tunnel is a very popular play equipment for children.

Originally, I came to enjoy the night view of the factory, but I learned a lot from being able to see the work of the people who protect the safety of various shipping ships and ports, which are deeply connected to our daily lives.
(The photo shows the "LNG (liquefied natural gas) ship" on display.)

LNG (liquefied natural gas) ships are high-tech tank ships made of special materials for ultra-low temperature transport. Liquefied natural gas is also used as the city gas we use and as fuel for power generation in thermal power plants.

It is a "container crane" with a height of 90m.

It takes only 2 minutes to lift one container using this crane.
There are six container cranes at Yokkaichi Port, and in 2018 they loaded and unloaded approximately 240,000 containers (the most standard size is 20 feet).

If you're lucky, you can even see the container crane at work!

This is an exhibition of "container ships".

It's surprising to know that each large container ship that comes to Yokkaichi Port can hold approximately 4,500 20-foot containers!

This is a motor pool (a place where cars to be exported are temporarily stored) located at Yokkaichi Port.

In the neighboring SuzukaCity, there is one of Honda's three major factories in Japan, the Suzuka Factory, and the cars and car parts produced there are exported to the world via Yokkaichi Port. .
The large ``car carriers'' that come to Yokkaichi Port can hold up to 6,000 cars (Wow!).

In addition to the night view, one of Miterasu 14's attractions is that you can also take part in interesting social tours like this!

A disaster prevention ship was also seen protecting the safety of Yokkaichi Port.

This is a space where everyone from children to adults can enjoy the experience of driving a ship, ``You too are the captain.''

On the monitor, realistic images of Yokkaichi Port are flashing. Although it looked easy, it was more difficult than I expected, and I couldn't help but respect the people who work at ports and ships.

Next, let's take a look at the scenery outside!

From this direction, you could see a panoramic view of Yokkaichi Port, the town of Yokkaichi, and even the Suzuka Mountains.

When I changed locations, I was able to see beyond Ise Bay and even see Centrair Chubu Centrair International Airport in the distance.

The most exciting part may be waiting for the night. The sunset gradually dyes the sky red, and the scenery changes every minute and second.

The sky is colored by the sunset and the lights that are gradually turned on are reflected on the water surface.

All the customers quietly gaze at this beautiful moment. A romantic night like this is a must on your trip.

When night falls, the Nagoya Station building (on the left) and the Ferris wheel at KuwanaCity Nagashima Spaland (on the right) shine, creating an even more magical atmosphere.

Among Umiterasu 14, where you can enjoy a variety of scenery from day to night, the most highly praised is the night view of this magical industrial complex. If you want to see this night view, please come on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.

★Opening hours: 10am to 5pm on weekdays, 10am to 9pm on weekends and holidays.

★Address: Yokkaichi YokkaichiCity Mie Prefecture

★Transportation: About 15 minutes walk from Tomitahama Station on the JR Kansai Main Line.