What other travelers are saying about Kobe Earthquake Memorial Museum
While visiting Kobe I wanted to check out this exhibit after hearing about the big Earthquake back on January 17, 1995. It was a 7.3 with huge devastation. The exhibit is well laid out and the tour starts in the 4 th floor and there are a couple short movies to watch followed by a large amount of pictures and exhibits. The staff were very friendly and willing to help. They have an English headset to watch the movie as well. Really good museum I just wished they had more a simulator so you can kind of experience what an earthquake is like. If you’re in Kobe check it out. Oh yeah, today was a free admission because every month on the 17 th the admission is free to knowledge the event on that day.
More about Kobe Earthquake Memorial Museum from our blog
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the museum offers guided tours conducted by survivors of the earthquake, who share their personal experiences and insights. These tours provide a unique and emotional perspective on the disaster and recovery process.
Notable exhibits include the Earthquake Simulation Theater, a replica of a damaged street, the "Memories of the Disaster" section with personal stories and artifacts, and the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Pavilion.
The museum is located in the HAT Kobe district and is easily accessible by public transportation. It is a short walk from Iwaya Station on the Hanshin Electric Railway or Nada Station on the JR Kobe Line.
Again, it is better for you if you could understand Japanese to visit this museum, for video watching they could provide you with translation, yet for the interactive display and some games, they only provide it in Japanese.
I will highly recommend you to buy the full fare ticket for both the East and West Buildings, on the 1st floor some interactive games are provided, then you will be guided to the 4th floor, watching 2 videos about the 1995 Kobe Awaji earthquake. After that you are free to visit other floors.
You will be amazed how Japanese are preparing for the great earthquake to come, and how endurance are they in facing big natural disasters. As Japan is their home, they will not leave their country, that is why they are preparing everything so that they will continue to live here.
The Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake Memorial Disaster Reduction and Human Renovation Institution is a powerful destination that leaves a lasting impact on every visitor. It serves as a crucial archive of the devastating earthquake that struck the Kobe and Osaka region, preserving the memory of that tragic event with immense respect and accuracy.
Walking through the exhibits, you are confronted with actual artifacts and remnants saved from the disaster. Seeing these preserved objects up close brings the reality of the event to life in a way that is both heartbreaking and eye-opening. The documentary video is another standout feature; it provides a gripping, visual account of the earthquake, allowing you to witness the sheer scale of what happened.
However, this museum is not just about the past. It is also a vital place for learning. The section dedicated to natural disaster knowledge is incredibly informative, offering practical lessons on disaster prevention and preparedness. I highly recommend a visit here—not only to pay respects but to gain life-saving knowledge about the power of nature.
This is an interesting museum dedicated to the Kobe and surrounding area's terrible earthquake. Many lessons were learned about architecture and ways to make housing and buildings much stronger using braces on homes and shock absorbing foundations for buildings. It's interesting. Many school children visit this museum to learn about the earthquake.
We don’t understand Japanese, but whole building’s staff can tell we are tourist,they speak communicable English and there’s English subtitle in many display. The stories and cases are very touching too. 650 yen for 2 hours to understand the cause of earthquake to Kobe is totally worth it.
