What other travelers are saying about Kobe Earthquake Memorial Museum
It was an extremely humbling experience and I do not regret adding this place to my list to visit. You are first brought through some experiences and videos about first hand accounts of the devastating earthquake. If you took the train from Osaka to Kobe, there would be some place names that you recognise along the way.
The volunteers in there were also very cheerful and fun-loving. Special shout out to the lady at the emergency kit department who made me feel extremely welcome and was more than happy to speak simple Japanese to me. We had an absolutely wonderful chat.
Another memorable staff was the one at the tsunami simulation station - due to the complexities of the things he had to explain, he had to use English instead of Japanese so I could understand it. He's such an expert at it too!
The people here define this place and while the accounts of the earthquake were depressing, the cheerful people of the place has definitely made the visit extremely memorable..
This exhibit immortalises the 1995 earthquake which almost leveled the city. There are artefacts, eyewitness testimony, as well as interactive exhibits targeting children. There were multiple theatres showing films about emergency preparedness. They provide translators which you can wear, but it can be difficult to hear over the Japanese dialogue being played at full volume throughout the room. If you’ve been to the museums in Hiroshima or Nagasaki, you will have a good idea of what to expect. There is an immersive experience at the beginning of the tour which I didn’t enjoy; as it had a lot of flashing lights, loud noises, and blurred imagery (but everyone is different). There are two buildings, with the second containing exhibits which largely target Japanese children. Worth having a look if you’re interested in contemporary history, or don’t know much about the science behind earthquakes. Admission is inexpensive. Paid parking available nearby.
If you're traveling to Japan, I would recommend going to Kobe to see this memorial museum. The Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake Memorial museum was stark and humbling experience of what impact earthquakes can have on us. They had a plethora of video recordings, recollections and interviews of survivors, simulation areas, suggestions on how to better prepare for natural disasters, and more. We stayed for almost three hours and would have spent longer if not for an engagement we had to make thereafter. Highly, highly recommend this.
It was more interesting and entertaining than most memorials. They have a short movie 🎥 to watch, Interactive activities and simulation.
PS - They also have a cafeteria on the first floor. The menu is shown in the last picture.
