Superyacht Base has signed a contract to develop Asia’s largest superyacht marina.
Work on the new Kobe Marina project in Kobe City, Japan, is expected to start in April 2025 and be open for yachts in 2026.
The facility is part of the Kobe harbour and waterfront regeneration, where previously industrial spaces close to downtown Kobe are being reimagined for public enjoyment.
“It’s a very exciting day. We have been working very hard planning this marina for over two years with our consortium partners and there have been many changes, especially with the fluctuating construction costs,” said Yukio Shintani, owner of Creation Marine in Japan for over 40 years and one of the spearheads of Supreyacht Base Kobe.
“We will have a superyacht marina in Japan that has the facilities of superyacht marinas in Monaco, France and Italy, and in South Florida; and that can accommodate any size yacht that has yet been built or even imagined.”
We will have a superyacht marina in Japan that has the facilities of superyacht marinas in Monaco, France and Italy, and in South Florida.
Yukio Shintani
The marina will feature more than 1.4km of usable linear superyacht quays able to accommodate any size vessel alongside essential infrastructure.
This will include two 350 metre long quays, along with three 100 meter long quays.
A newly built breakwater digue will provide an extra 200+ meters of dockage, and a liner floating dock will provide 300 meters dockage for yachts of less than 60 meters.
Long-term leases will be available as well as annual and shorter-term dockage options for all sizes of yachts.
Other marina features will include multiple 400-volt 3 phase 150-amp power pedestals installed as standard.
Larger custom shore power electrical installations will be available to lease purchasers, suitable for the size of the yacht in question.
Stern-to dockage will be available for all yachts up to around 80 meters.
Easy transport links
Further facilities will be built during 2026 and 2027 such as marine offices, boutiques, cafes and restaurants.
There are also plans to base the Kobe Yacht Club at the site.
“With Kobe City’s ease of transport links and many hotels and hospitality at all levels, Superyacht Base Kobe plans to organise events soon with international yacht industry partners, such as superyacht conferences, superyacht shows and rendezvous,” explained a Superyacht Base spokesperson.
“It will be able to provide an excellent year-round base for superyachts wishing to charter in Japan, and private yachts that wish to extend the owners’ cruising opportunities in one of the most modern and safest countries in the world.”
The new marina will provide access to an archipelago of more than 14,000 islands stretching 3,000km.
Incredible cruising potential
Kobe is located at the entrance to the Inland Sea of Japan, a 300nm long body of water with around 3,000 islands that are protected from the swells of the Pacific Ocean.
“The cruising potential in Japan is incredible,” explained Nigel Beatty, Monaco resident, Asia Pacific Superyacht Association chairman, and owner of SYL Monaco, one of the consortium investors.
“More and more international yachts are coming to Japan every year. There is 50% more coastline than the United States, so there is a massive area to explore with still many undiscovered cruising destinations.”
The Superyacht Base is a consortium consisting of seven principal investors – GLION Group, Plan Do Sea, Horizon Yachts, Setouchi Brand Corporation, Creation Co, SYL Monaco and SYL Japan.
