KOBE MARITIME MUSEUM
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KOBE MARITIME MUSEUM
English
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About

About KOBE MARITIME MUSEUM
CONCEPT
The role KOBE MARITIME MUSEUM aims for

A museum where you can experience the history and future of the sea, ships, and ports of Kobe.




The "KOBE MARITIME MUSEUM", which features a large roof with a white space structure evoking the image of sails of a sailing ship running through the vast ocean and sea waves, opened in 1987 to commemorate the 120th anniversary of the opening of the modern Port of Kobe. Then reopened in 2020 under the theme of "the journey of Kobe and its port". Here visitors can explore the structure of ships, the charm of cruise ships, port facilities, and by seeing how the port has been transforming through “exhibition of real objects”, “diorama models”, “videos” and "graphics", they‘re introduced in an easy-to understand manner to the "past", "present" and "future" of the sea, ships and ports. Adjacent to the museum is the “Kawasaki Good Times World” which opened in 2006, a corporate museum of Kawasaki Heavy Industries Group that has worked hand in hand with the port of Kobe since its opening.

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OUTLINE

Outline of the KOBE MARITIME MUSEUM


Facility name   - KOBE MARITIME MUSEUM


Address   - 2-2 Hatoba-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0042


Opening hours   - 10:00~18:00 (admittance until 17:30)


Admission fee   - For details go to the “Opening hours / Fees” page


Days closed   - Every Monday (or the following week day if Monday is a national holiday), and New Year’s holiday


E-mail   - info@kobe-maritime-museum.com


Access   - For details go to the “Access map”


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Museum Guide

A museum walking hand in hand with Kobe, international harbor city

In addition to the history of the international harbor city of "Kobe", exhibitions feature ships, structure and role of the port, and vessels that incorporate various advanced technologies. Adjacent to the museum is the “Kawasaki Good Times World”, a corporate museum of Kawasaki Heavy Industries Group that has worked hand in hand with the port of Kobe since its opening.

1st floor “Explore the Port of Kobe”

A journey to the past and the future.

■The Port of Kobe 150th Anniversary Theater
One of the main features of the Kobe Maritime Museum.
Making use of the entire entrance hall, visitors will be caught up in the content of 2 videos that show the history of the British warship Rodney arriving at the Port of Kobe across the great ocean and the 150-year journey since the opening of the port.


■Diorama model of ships
Displayed in chronological order, the diorama models show the evolution of ships from western sailing ships to modern passenger ships and cargo ships.


■Ships coming and going from the Port of Kobe
Visitors will learn about the port as an international trading point, by understanding through interactive displays the global maritime network of the Port of Kobe and its active ships. Also, the large murals that show the most impressive container ships and cruise ships of the port, will fascinate visitors and increase their interest on ships.


■Ocean 3D Photo Spot
A photo spot where visitors can take photos to commemorate their visit with 2 trick-art sets related to the sea, port and ships.


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large murals
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Media Table
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1st floor “History of the Port of Kobe”

Learning from ancestors’ wisdom and effort

■Progress and functions of the Port of Kobe
We foster future maritime human resources by diffusing the history of the Port of Kobe from its opening to the present day, the role it plays and its functions, and having children understand the importance of the work done on the sea, ships and port through interactive exhibitions such as the ship handling simulator.

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Gantry Crane Simulator

A simulator in which visitors can pretend operate a gantry crane with 2 levers, they experiment how to lift a container loaded on a ship and move it to a truck. Learn by playing, the job of a gantry crane operator.

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Ship Handling Simulator of the Port of Kobe

In this simulator, visitors can pretend control a cruise in a video that recreates the Port of Kobe. Go around the set points and aim for the goal within the time limit. Conditions such as weather and point of view can be changed as desired, so visitors can fully experience the job of a ship navigator.


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History of the Port of Kobe

An interactive exhibition that provides an overview of the history of the Port of Kobe from its opening to the present day. Visitors can see how the Port of Kobe has evolved in chronological order.

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Experimental Puzzle. The role of the port

A puzzle-styled interactive display, where visitors place the pieces representing the facilities of the Port of Kobe in the right place within the time limit and, learn about the role that each of them play.


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Jobs on the Sea, Ships and Ports

The jobs are divided into 3 categories: "at sea", “sea protection" and "logistics", and real comments from the people working are featured in the interview videos.

International Exchange

We present various aspects of international exchange between the Port of Kobe and countries around the world, including passenger ships that have visited the port, sister cities and sister ports, the first gondola imported to Japan, along the history of the KOBE MARITIME MUSEUM.

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2nd floor “Maritime Theater”

Take a break while learning

With a capacity of 33 seats (including 2 wheelchair locations), the theater is equipped with a large 180-inch screen and a stereophonic sound system. Visitors can watch an interesting video focusing on the history of the Port of Kobe, sea, ships and port. It is repeatedly playing during opening hours, so visitors can watch at their best timing while going through the indoor exhibitions. Equipped with comfortable seats, the Maritime Theater makes a great place to take a break while learning some more. Contents designed for adults and children are fun and easy to understand, perfect to enjoy with the whole family.

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Maritime Theater
Adjacent to 1st floor “Kawasaki Good Times World”

Enjoy exploring the land, sea and air

"Kawasaki Good Times World" is a corporate museum of the Kawasaki Heavy Industries Group, which introduces its latest technologies on ships, rolling stocks, aircrafts and motorcycles domestically and internationally. Here you can enjoy learning by “seeing” and “touching” about the history behind the foundation of Kawasaki Heavy Industries Group, and the history, present and future of the technologies on land, sea and air that Kawasaki Heavy Industries Group developed since the opening of modern Port of Kobe in 1868, walking hand in hand with the port for over a century, evolving from shipbuilding to a general heavy enterprise.

■Main exhibitions
・"Kawasaki World Theater" introduces Kawasaki Heavy Industries’ land, sea, and air products through dynamic images on a 14-meter-wide curved screen
・"Motorcycle Gallery" exhibits a number of the Kawasaki’s most iconic racing bikes
・"Monozukuri Theater" introduces through footages the launching ceremony of ships and the production processes of Shinkansen and aircrafts with a powerful triple-screen audiovisual system
・Actual exhibition of the "Series 0 Shinkansen" and "Kawasaki-Vertol KV-107Ⅱ helicopter" available to explore from the inside as well
・"Flight Simulator", where visitors can experience being a pilot controlling a plane takeoff and landing at Kobe Airport
・"High-Performance robots" take various actions to introduce the company’s robotic technology and features

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Outdoor exhibition area

Legacy to the future

Overlooking the Port of Kobe in the Meriken Park, an autonomous underwater vehicle that allows unmanned observation and data collection, and a trigger used at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries - Kobe Shipyard & Machinery Works are on display. In addition, a part.

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Trigger device

A device that plays a non-slip role connecting the ship and the slipway at ship launching ceremonies. This trigger device was actually used at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries - Kobe Shipyard and Machinery Works for about 60 years, and ended its role at the launching ceremony on March 9, 2012.

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Steam turbine engine mounted on the container ship "Rhine Maru"

A part of the ship steam turbine engine installed in the container ship "Rhine Maru" of Osaka Shosen Mitsui Shipping, which was built at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries - Kobe Shipyard and Machinery Works in 1971. An exhibition that exposes the internal mechanism.

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Autonomous underwater vehicle "Marine Bird"

An autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) manufactured by Kawasaki Heavy Industries in 2000. It is an underwater robot able to perform various observations and data collection unattended.



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Opening hours/Fees

NEWS
  • Opening Hours and Admission Fees of “KOBE MARITIME MUSEUM” and “Kawasaki Good Times World” have been revised from April 2020.
Opening hours and days closed


Opening hours Opening hours: 10:00~18:00 (admittance until 17:30)
Days closed Every Monday (or the following week day if Monday is a national holiday), and New Year’s holiday
General fee


Adults Children (elementary/ middle /high school)
KOBE MARITIME MUSEUM・Kawasaki Good Times World 900yen 400yen
  • 50% of the general fee for those who bring “Sukoyaka” Cards (Elderly Welfare Books, only those issued by Kobe City), Physical Disability Certificate, Medical Rehabilitation Handbook or Mental Disability Health and Welfare Certificate.
  • ” KOBE MARITIME MUSEUM” and “Kawasaki Good Times World” accepts the "Nobi-Nobi Passport".*Japanese only
  • Students may be asked to show their student ID card or other kind of identification to certify their age.
Groups

Group visitors are admitted at a group discount fee. If you plan to visit our facility in groups or tours, please apply from the "Group Application Form".*Japanese only



Adults (more than 15 people) Children (more than 15 people; elementary/ middle/ high school)
KOBE MARITIME MUSEUM・Kawasaki Good Times World 720yen 320yen
School group fees


High school  Elementary and middle school
KOBE MARITIME MUSEUM・Kawasaki Good Times World 300yen 150yen
  • School group discounts are limited to school events led by teachers.
Floor map

The museum is equipped with various facilities so people who need wheelchairs, the elderly, and parents with strollers can use it without problem. Slopes are installed around the exhibits, and handrails on stairs and toilets. A nursing room is also available on the 1st floor. Please use the elevator when heading to the 2nd floor exhibition room.


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Barrier Free Information

Kobe Maritime Museum is fully equipped to be comfortably visited by persons using wheelchairs, elder people and parents with strollers.

Slopes, elevators, handrails

Slopes are installed at the entrance and around exhibits, and handrails on stairs and toilets. When heading to the 2nd floor exhibition room, please use the elevator.

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Wheelchair rental

Contact the Information Counter on the 1st floor *Up to 2 wheelchairs, rent-free *Only for indoor use

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Baby and nursing room (1st floor lobby)

A nursing room equipped with a baby crib and a water place is available.

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Museum Shop

KOBE MARITIME MUSEUM SHOP

KOBE MARITIME MUSEUM SHOP

A wide selection of souvenirs and commemorative goods from your visit to the Kobe Maritime Museum and Kawasaki Good Times World.

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Access Map

2-2 Hatoba-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0042

Address


Opening hours: 10:00~18:00 (admittance until 17:30)
Days closed: Every Monday (or the following week day if Monday is a national holiday),and New Year’s holiday

By public transport


From the Sanyo Shinkansen
about 15 minutes by car from Shin-Kobe Station


From the JR/Hanshin lines
about a 15-minute walk from Motomachi Station


From the Hankyu line
about a 15-minute walk from Hanakuma Station


From the Municipal Subway Seishin-Yamate lines
about a 20-minute walk from Kencho-mae Station


From the Municipal Subway Kaigan line
about a 10-minute walk from Minato Motomachi Station


By car


From the Hanshin Expressway Route 3 Kobe line, about 5 minutes from Kyobashi Exit and about 10 minutes from Yanagihara Exit.

Municipal Parkings


For regular-sized cars
Meriken Park parking (Hotel Okura north)
Meriken Park south parking (Kobe Port Tower east)


For buses
Kamomeria bus parking (Naka Pier Central Terminal)
Meriken Park provisional parking (Koba Port Tower south)


For motorcycles
Meriken Park parking (Hotel Okura north)