Here are the best museums in Kobe for you. For a relatively small city, Kobe is a cultural hub with a surprisingly high number of museums to explore, covering topics ranging from art and fashion to traditional crafts like glassmaking. and carpentry.
One of Japan’s trendiest cities and once home to wealthy European merchants, Kobe has evolved into a cultural hub, boasting a thriving jazz scene, art galleries and art, fine dining restaurants and fashion boutiques.
To better understand Kobe’s history and culture, there are countless museums to explore covering the history of the city, from ancient artefacts on display at the Kobe City Museum to the story of Hanshin-Awaji Great War Earthquake Memorial Museum.
Art lovers won’t be disappointed by the vast collection of contemporary works at the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art, while fashion junkies can peruse vintage copies of Vogue from early 20th century at the Kobe Fashion Museum. See our recommendations for the best museums in Kobe.
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A Guide to the Best Museums in Kobe, Japan
Earthquake Memorial Museum
The Kobe Earthquake Memorial Museum details one of the most important events in local history, the Great 1995 Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake that killed more than 6,000 citizens and destroyed much of the city. Kobe’s location at the epicenter of this tragic event was the one that suffered the most damage, and the museum’s goal is to educate visitors about it through a screen-transmitted reconstruction of the earthquake. projection, special effects and sound imaging. Volunteers are on hand to guide non-Japanese speakers around the exhibits, and many of the staff include earthquake survivors.
Takenaka Carpentry Tool Museum
Traditional Japanese carpentry is known for the unique pieces of wood that are put together like an intricate mosaic to form intricate temples and homes without the use of nails, screws or other tools. other tools. any power tool. At the Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum near Shin-Kōbe Station, you can learn more about the history of this fascinating craft and see large-scale models of carpentry examples and tools used used to create them. On weekends, the museum also hosts open workshops where you can try your hand at making small wooden items like chopsticks and pencils.
Kobe Fashion Museum
Kobe Fashion Museum is Japan’s first public museum dedicated to fashion and is located in the Rokkō Island area southeast of Kobe, a short walk from Island Central Station. The first floor of the museum houses an extensive collection of costumes, including 18th-century evening gowns, folk costumes, shoes, jewelry, and accessories. On the third floor, an extensive library of 40,000 fashion books and magazine archives features volumes from the early 20th century and includes early editions of Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar. Admission is ¥500 (£3.76) per adult, with an extra charge for special exhibits.
Miho Museum
The Miho Museum features interestingly designed structures that are integrated into the natural surroundings. The museum is captivating with its contrasting theme of warm steel, glass and stone, complemented by panoramic views of the surrounding valleys. The museum’s exhibits include works from ancient civilizations such as Egypt, Rome, and various Asian cultures.
Mori Art Museum
Located on one of the top floors of Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, the Mori Art Museum is one of the best museums in Kobe. It hosts interesting rotating exhibitions of contemporary art. The exhibits nicely complement the amazing aerial views that can be seen from the observatory located downstairs.
Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum
In the past, it was a traditional sake brewery, but today it functions as a museum. The main purpose of the Hakutsuru Museum is to introduce Japan’s long and iconic sake-making tradition. Visitors can witness the creation of this delicious drink. you can taste many different types of sake, and if you like you can also buy it here.
The museum is open from 09:00 – 04:30 daily, except for public holidays and summer holidays. Their phone number is 078-822-8907. Hatsuru Sake Museum’s address is 4-5-5 Sumiyoshi-minami-machi, Kobe. This museum is one of Kobe’s most traditional icons.
Kobe Science Museum
If you are interested in science, this museum is a must-see for you. The most important attraction of this museum is the sky itself. Several telescopes are available to visitors and they can view the stars and even the Milky Way. The Science Museum includes the Gallery and Planetarium.
Each area has its own entrance fee: admission to the Gallery is 600 yen, and entry to the Planetarium is 400 yen. For children and students, the price is halved. Address: Minatojima Nakamachi 7-7-6, Chuo-ku, Kobe, 650-0046. On weekdays, the restaurant is open from 09:30 to 16:30, on weekends from 09:30 to 19:00 and closed until Wednesday. Their phone number is 078-302-5177.