The Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake Memorial Disaster Reduction and Human Renovation Institution in Nishiwaki

A great experience. I learned a lot about this terrible disaster... Also I know more about Japan geography and how they educate their population to face this problem. Je recommande très vivement la visite. Très instructifs !

A good place to learn about Hanshin earthquake and how Kobe residents overcame. The volunteer is very nice and supportive.

I spent 3 hours because Im in rush, but if I visit slowly maybe it takes more than 4 hours, and if Im fluent in Japanese, maybe Ill learn more abd take more time. However, the English explanation is great, and the staffs are very helpful. The ticket is ¥450 for college student and for me its very worthy!

A fascinating memorial and educational museum built around a fault that appeared following the 1995 Great Hanshin-Awaji earthquake. Lots of useful educational resources which clearly describe and demonstrate what happens in an earthquake and how it affects infrastructure and land. A house has been preserved next to the visible fault and visitors can sit in a simulator which recreates the feeling of the 1995 earthquake. Most of the exhibits feature translations in a variety of languages including English. Highly recommended.

Science aspect is good, the historical and lived history is good and the modern day emergency education is good.A very good museum and exhibition.

Fantastic museum/centre. Many interactions and visual activities and a great part of them are in English.First of all, I can’t highlight enough how helpful and professional the people that work there are. While buying my ticked, I informed that I didn’t speak Japanese. The staff at the ticket counter changed to English and explained me regarding the museum. When I reached the first attraction, another person gave me a paper in English regarding the movie that we were going to watch. After that another person gave me an audio aid for the next movie. Although many people of the staff didn’t speak English, they tried at their best to assist me and make my experience as pleasant as possible.Regarding the areas, they have a lot of information regarding the Kobe earthquake and also regarding natural disasters, how to prevent them and what to do after an accident. They also have another building with science information regarding natural disasters with many visual aid and games that you can play to understand better how an typhoon or earthquake works.

Place to learn more about Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake. You can watch the video about the past natural disaster.

An absolute must-see ! A great museum which helped us understand the extent of the tragedy but also be better prepared.Our kids loved it.You really love Kobe even more after spending a few hours in this museum.

Very good place to learn about the 1995 earthquake and the 2011 tsunami in Japan. The exhibition props are made to let you dive deep into the exact situation.

Nice place to experience the history of Kobe during earthquake.

You can learn a lot about what happened on 17 January 1995, the time when kobe was hit by strong earthquake. There is an english explanation also. It was a bit difficult to go there, you must walk from the nearest station for around 1 km.

Impressive exhibition. Its main goals is to educate about earthquakes and to reflect on what could have been done better. It start with some movies which are in Japanese, but they provide English translation devices.The staff is very friendly and there were some elders explaining, in good English, about the earthquake and also the causes of why this earthquake was so devestating.Furthermore there was a hall about the tsunami of 2011 where you could also experience how its like to try to run away during a tsunami.

Costs 600 yen to enter and the museum tells the story of the 1995 earthquake which affected Kobe. Note that I would not bring small kids less than 10 here.

Very great place to learn earthquake in Japan, especially in Kobe. Many dioramas can be enjoyed by kids and adults.

What a start for the day. For stirring me up in my body, mind and soul. Earthquake and coming with it mental and physical suffering and pain I beckon is really not a nice thing. Merciless earthquakes can wreck you by taking away your loved ones permanently forever, lets not even speak about building back our lives thereafter. Kobe Earthquake Museum, trust me, you must wholeheartedly, indeed knocked aplenty sense into me. Not to take anything for granted because natural disasters can take it all and leave none behind. Having said that, the Japanese have since come a long way. They, primarily the great Japanese brains, not all Japanese, mind you. are the cream of the crop, stop arguing with me, I have met some who are living under their own nut shells as well, so, stop debating that only Malaysians are pathetic cases, I guess Japanese people on the whole have been constantly learning and improvising their resilience on earthquakes. Well, experience is the best wisdom I suppose.

It shows some nice videos, of how everything looked like after the earthquake in both Japanese and English languages. One english speaking stuff member was very kind and showed us around the museum saying a lot of interesting information. And even more, he made that we could enter movie screening than it was already started, so that we didnt need to wait. It was a shorter than usual, but concentrated visit.

Totally up to date very detailed account of the earthquake, the destruction and the reconstruction, plus a 3d film of the 11.3 Tohoku tsunami. A bit regimented progression through the exhibits. A somewhat odd building, not really evocative of its subject, according to this viewer.

Its really necessary to know what is a effects of before Earth quake n after Earth quake,here is also a mark of tsunami water level height.its building design itself also appropriate of whats the purpose of the building,means well-planned n extraordinary management as expected as u r in JAPAN

Great exhibit about the Hanshin-Awaji earthquake. Besides the expected scientific information, there is also a lot of details about how the locals cope with the situation. I find the latter most valuable for visitors.

Its a great site to visit and study the great earthquake tragedy that has befallen this part of Japan in 1995. The site has a video tour that shows video recordings at the time the quake happened, an aftermath room that shows a collection of debris depicting the ruins the quake left behind, and finally you will be taken to study materials available. Its reassuring to know that the Japanese building foundations have become stronger as a result, learning from this experience.

I understand it was a bad earthquake. I lived in California and always in fear of shaking. I do not like to dwell on someone elses pain in the past. I wont go to 911 memorial either. making me stand in front of models of damaged houses was simply macabre. not interested in propaganda

The museum includes a collection of personal artifacts from earthquake survivors. Looking at things like a broken flute, burnt coin collection, and many other small treasures puts a human face on this terrible disaster. Prior to this, my understanding of this disaster was limited to statistics and maps. The museum also includes interactive events for kids and useful information on disaster preparation.

It started out really well. Movies, pictures, stories of the survivors were all very touching and informative. The only thing is that after the first part, everything was in Japanese and no-one could explain me in English. But I got the impression that it is a really good museum and also very enjoyable for children (if they can understand Japanese). It might be possible to get an English guide or such, but that was not available when I was there. But it was still enjoyable.

Fantastic, informative and evocative museum - definitely visit if youre in Kobe or even consider a trip from Osaka. You start with two short films detailing the 1995 earthquake and its aftermath, before walking through some exhibits yourself. At this point, an English speaking guide came up to us and then gave us a personal tour of this floor of the museum - really interesting to get some first hand information from someone who was here during the earthquake. Theres a final 25 minute film about the 2011 earthquake which is definitely worth watching. All films are available with an English audio guide or subtitles.For ¥450 for a student ticket, this was amazing value for the quality of the museum content, not to mention the personal tour thrown in!Only downside was there were a few small exhibits that were only in Japanese, although most of the museum is available in English.

far away from a metro station, we were taking a taxi. entry fee free on 17th every month. there is a cafeteria on 1st floor but all reserved. In front of this building there is a huge shopping center Hat

The museum tour began with a chilling walk-in replica of the Kobe earthquake disaster area. There are many detailed exhibits on social and scientific aspects of earthquakes, with many points of interest spanning two whole buildings. Many of the exhibits were, however, available Im Japanese only. Still, worth a visit if youre in Kobe.

Very interesting place. The tour was 600 per person that included a somewhat guided movie what was available with an English voice over. The 7.3 magnitude earthquake that struck in 1995 destroyed most of the city. This location houses the records from that time and acts as a monument. Additionally, the buildings exterior looks to be designed to withstand future disasters.

This place has educated very well about the earthquake situation. Elderly staff has tried to explain in Japanese, really impressed.

Excellent. Lots of interesting information. Be warned of the compulsory introductory movie, which is excessively loud. Bring some earplugs, or just earphones, if you think you may need them.There is parking 100m from the building.

Informative museum demonstrating the history and recovery proces of hanshin awaji earthquake and other earthquakes, plus some information on what measures have been planned and done to reduce the casualties due to natural disasters. It is true that we cant prevent natural disasters, but we can do something like building architecture design to reduce the devastation. There is a lovely old lady who very passionately trying to explain to us. Great 2 hours spent here.

We got to the museum a little after 11 and essentially had a personalized tour with the English speaking guides. The docents were all very helpful and informative. A great way to escape the crowds and be informed of the effects of earthquakes and tsunamis through interactive exhibits and video footage.

Reach in time a must visit to experience the great Japanese spirit

Excellent museum showing how the 1995 Kobe earthquake affected the people there, and how they came together to rebuild the city. There’s some interesting interactive simulation of a tsunami. A third of the museum is all in Japanese so I couldn’t read it, however there are many nice guides there who speak English and showed me around.Would definitely recommend!

I came to Kobe for the first time and we visited the "Earthquake Museum". I was really touched by the suffering of the Kobe people when the quake happened. One of your museum staff explains the exhibits to us in person. Very friendly of him. Thank you again for that. どうもありがとう

Great place to learn about earthquakes and Japanese building constructions to prevent future tragedies. Very informative and worth your visits

Good place to learn about the horrors and effects of the Kobe Earthquake and how it affected the people. Many videos and exhibits show the devastating effects of the natural disaster, and also tell you what the Japanese did to recover. There are also many volunteers at the site, some elderly, who are extremely friendly and answer whatever question you have for them.

Nice place to visit. They have the simulation video on the top floor where you can see what happened on the 1995 earthquake. Its really scary but they are making ways how to lessen the impact of future natural disasters.

Very well organised museum... wish we could have spent longer there! The staff were really friendly, and each of them that spoke English spent time with us and we learnt more and more about earthquakes and tsumani. Interesting videos in theatre style environments were in japanese with English translation. Highly recommended while in Kobe.

Super museum !The crew is very friendly and speak english.It was very interesting and we learnt a lot about earthquake and tsunamis.The entrance was at 600 yens

A must visit place in Kobe. A lot of things you can learn from here especially the natural disaster preparation. Priceless knowledge.

The Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake museum.One of Must visit place when you in Osaka or Kobe area. This place are one of the best learning center for great scale disaster management for personal or public.Good place for your child to learn what happen and how to handle yourself when disaster happen. There provide a mini guide leaflets for preparation before disaster, very useful.There have permanent android circulated exhibitions. Also a 3D theater.The transportation there might not easy you should take a taxi to there. But on the way back its hard to find taxi especially on evening time. Its located quite far from Kobe downtown (Sannomiya), near harbor.opposite of the museum is shopping mall -- have supermarket, restaurants, bookshop, cloth shops (Also Uniqloand more.You should spend 3-4 hours there. Should check exhibitions schedule before visit.Staffs are helpful and generous.

This was an interesting place especially if you have learned a little about earthquakes before. There is a lot of information about the Kobe earquake that will amaze you to the scale of the destruction. The city was largely inoperable and people from all over Japan came to assist with the reconstruction. This museum showcases the benefit of the human spirit and thus is a great place to visit on your next trip to the Osaka Kansai Area.

Nice exhibition which will make you feel into the great kobe earthquake. There is a 600 yen fee but definitely worth it.

This was a sobering testament to the amazing resiliency of the Japanese people in the face of disaster. The architecture of the museum is impressive. The earthquake occurred in 1995 and killed thousands and the museum literally lets you live through it via pictures video and simulations. There are also docents who survived the quake that will share their experiences and headphones you wear for English translations. After getting off at a nearby train stop you have to walk a couple of blocks to get there but worth the trip.

Definitely impresses on you the impact of the earthquake. There’s a good amount of English so you can experience most of the exhibits. Fair warning, the first video could be very anxiety provoking. Both videos had me tearing up.

Every single floor has a different feeling ,on the top cinematic 3 d video theater after that movies ends u cry and the. U have to pass a way where they actually accurate made a part in there when u walk pass by there u feel that u were there at that situation don’t take kids or any heart patients with you because it could be quite harmful for them it’s not so easy to watch such things but love japan peace

An English speaking old Japanese man kindly explained high earthquake-tolerance building structures to us, using small models built with plastic, wood and metal. Great presentation in general. Lots of students were there when we visited but that just means this country cares about education. Very well-thought exhibition.

Highly recommended. Very underrated. Must visit for us. We only had 1.5 hours to spend here and felt there was much more to see. We saw two documentaries and wish we had time for the interactive demonstrations. Volunteers are enthusiastic. Multi language support available.

Intresting and impresive museum. Very friendly staffmembers/volunteers, they took a lot of effort to inform and educate us about the earthquake in 95 and the impact it had in the inhibitants of Kobe.Weve been for about 2,5 hours in the museum

This review is a little difficult to explain. Although the museum itself was well laid out and full of information about the earthquake, we did not find much of the exhibition engaging, as an outsider. It was interesting, but we quickly became bored of the displays, where we hadnt in other similar museums.However, there are excellent facilities for travellers, providing translations and earpieces for any videos or interactive activities.I would recommend this museum for those who have spare time in the area, but it is not a must.