EARTHQUAKE MEMORIAL MUSEUM

As the name suggests, the Earthquake Memorial Museum is built to commemorate the lives lost in the 1995 earthquake in Kobe Japan. It was during this earthquake a lot of lives were lost with numbers going up to 5000, along with destruction of homes. This museum is a part of the Disaster Reduction and Human Renovation institutions and was opened in 2002. 

Apart from commemorating, during your Japan tour this museum continues to educate its visitors about earthquakes and what we can do to be safe. There is also a large screen theatre with realistic imagery of what an earthquake can do in terms of destruction. The Earthquake Memorial Museum is located at the epicentre of the earthquake spot and is suitable for all ages to just explore and know more about earthquakes. The museum aims to showcase the vital phase of the history of Kobe and ensure that the earthquake and its victims are always remembered. 

Highlights

• Attend a workshop about natural calamities and learn what to do in case one breaks out and how to survive.
• Stroll through the exhibits in the museum and know more about the survival stories of the brutal earthquake of 2002. 
• Visit the theatre and watch the 7 minute documentary with realistic visuals of what it is like to experience an earthquake.
• Take a guided tour of the museum to know a lot of trivia about the museum and the earthquake that occurred in 2002.
• Check out the photographs clicked during the actual earthquake that narrate a tale of survival and resilience.

How To Reach

• By Car: The Earthquake Memorial Museum is 3 km from the city centre, it will take 11 min via Route number 2.
• By Train/ Metro: Take a train to Kasuganomichi station which is 900 metres away from the museum. You can reach the activity location from the train station with a 11-minute walk.

Best Time To Visit

Earthquake Memorial Museum is open throughout the year, so you can plan your visit to this place at any time of the year. 

• The best season to visit the Earthquake Memorial Museum will be the summer season from March to June because this is the time when the climate is pleasant. 
• The best day in the week will be the weekdays due to less crowds regardless of any time of the year. 
• The best time of the day to visit the Earthquake Memorial Museum will be in the morning due to less crowds and a favourable temperature.

Other Essential Information

• You will have to walk a lot to explore the premises of the Earthquake Memorial Museum, so be prepared accordingly.
• Wear a comfortable pair of footwear to explore the premises in a hassle free way as it involves a lot of walking. 
• Download google translate to help you with the language translation when in Japan. 
• Get a JR pass if you want to get around the city at a fraction of the cost using public transportation. 
• When taking a guided tour, do feel free to ask a lot of questions to the guide to know the Earthquake Memorial Museum better.