Guide
The Kobe Maritime Museum is a comprehensive museum dedicated to the themes of the sea, ships, and ports, located in Meriken Park, Chuo-ku, Kobe. Opened in 1987, it showcases the development and history of Kobe Port through various exhibits and video displays. The building itself is an architectural marvel, featuring a white space-frame roof that resembles waves or the sails of a ship. At night, the structure is beautifully illuminated with blue lights, creating a stunning silhouette. Inside, you will find 'Kawasaki World,' a corporate museum by Kawasaki Heavy Industries, which offers fascinating exhibits regarding land, sea, and air technologies.
The predecessor to the current museum was the Kobe International Port Museum, which opened in 1963. The current museum was established in 1987 to commemorate the 120th anniversary of the opening of the Port of Kobe. The exhibits trace a deep historical path, from the history of Fukuhara-kyo to the construction of Odera-da Harbor by Taira no Kiyomori. Visitors can learn how Kobe Port developed into a vital hub for Japanese trade and culture through these historical layers.
The museum houses a massive collection of over 200 ship models. This includes a 1/8 scale model of the British sailing ship 'Rodney,' as well as depictions of Chinese envoy ships (Kentoshi), Kitamaebune merchant ships, and even naval vessels like the battleship 'Yamato,' the 'Nagato,' and the aircraft carrier 'Zuikaku.' Inside the building, you can also see a large-scale replica of a 6-person Venetian gondola.
At the adjacent Kawasaki World, visitors can experience real-life exhibits, such as the cockpit and passenger area of an original 0 Series Shinkansen (bullet train) and the seating of a KV-107 II helicopter. The facility also features interactive spaces like flight simulators, marine sports simulators, and model train running events.
The museum is open from 10:00 to 18:00, with the last admission at 17:30. The building's white frame is illuminated with blue lights in the evening, making it a beautiful sight to behold alongside the night view of Meriken Park. Since it is an indoor facility, it is an excellent destination regardless of the season or weather.
Kawasaki World offers various interactive experiences, including quiz games themed around land, sea, and air, the 'Densha de GO! 2' high-speed rail simulator, flight simulators, and marine sports simulators. These allow visitors to experience the cutting-edge technology and mechanisms behind Japan's famous vehicles and transport systems.
Located within Meriken Park, the museum is surrounded by several iconic Kobe landmarks. You can easily visit the Kobe Port Tower, the Fish Dance monument, the Kobe Port Earthquake Memorial Park, Nankinmachi (Chinatown), and the Harborland shopping district. A walking tour through the waterfront area is highly recommended.
The museum is fully accessible with ramps and elevators, making it suitable for wheelchairs and strollers. Up to two wheelchairs are available for free loan at the facility. Baby rooms and nursing rooms are also available.