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Kobe Maritime Museum

Name: Kobe Maritime Museum
Address: 2-2 Hatobachō, Chuo Ward, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0042, Japan
Rating: 4.2

4.2 (200)・Tourist Attraction・Museum・Point Of Interest・Establishment

The Kobe Maritime Museum, situated in the bustling port city of Kobe, is a fascinating destination that offers a deep dive into the region's rich maritime history. Opened in 1987, the museum is a striking architectural landmark with white, sail-like structures symbolizing the maritime theme.

Inside, visitors can explore an extensive collection of exhibits that showcase Kobe's development as a key international port. The museum features detailed models of ships, historical artifacts, and interactive displays that illustrate the evolution of maritime technology and the vital role of shipping in global trade. One of the highlights is the life-sized replica of the 17th-century Japanese trading ship, the "Kitamaebune," which provides a tangible link to the past.

The museum also offers engaging displays about the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake of 1995, highlighting the port's incredible recovery and resilience. Additionally, the museum is home to the Kawasaki Good Times World, an exhibition hall dedicated to the Kawasaki Heavy Industries Group, showcasing innovations in transportation, including motorcycles, trains, and aerospace technology.

Hours:

10:00 AM - 6:00 PM (Last entry 5:30 PM)

Closed:

Monday, Year end and new year holidays

Available:

All year

Minimum Age:

All ages are welcome

Fees:

Adults: ¥600

University/College Students: ¥400

High School Students: ¥200

Junior High School Students and younger: Free admission

Hours

Monday: Closed

Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Thursday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Phone

+81 78-327-8983

Website

kobe-maritime-museum.com

The area

Address

2-2 Hatobachō, Chuo Ward, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0042, Japan

Hours

Monday: Closed

Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Thursday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

What other travelers are saying about Kobe Maritime Museum

This museum is spanking new and clean, and the moment you enter the door, a big impressive ship model greets you. Spend a few moments to admire it, take a few photos, and quickly move on because there are other exciting things waiting for you inside. Oh, there are lockers conveniently located on one side of the ship so you don't have to lug your heavy stuff around. Money is refundable. I enjoyed looking at the cruise ship models nearby and also the huge town replica with moving trains further in. I'm not a fan of motorbikes, but I thought those on display were quite cool. And so I took a few photos of them. The Kawasaki jet ski game was fun and there was hardly any queue. It was also a fun experience for kids to go on board the airplane and train replica. There's also an intelligent machine that can draw a few preselected pictures and you're free to take the drawings as souvenirs. Few people noticed it but on the first floor, there is a trick art section just outside the museum.There are only two pictures there, but I think it's worth a shot.

Mon Lapin

Feb 8, 2025

It was a wonderful museum. The staff was especially friendly. It featured nice models of major ships in history. There was a special Kawasaki section that included motorcycles, jet skis, as well as ships. I enjoyed my visit.

Keith Schoose

May 4, 2025

There's this old security guard who is extremely unfriendly. My son was experiencing the crate machine simulator, and he yelled at us that we could only play it once! HELLO? there's not even anyone is the museum lining behind us, and we have 2 admission tickets, why can't we play one more time? Probably the most rude Japanese person we've encounter in this trip.

Jason Hung

Feb 19, 2025

It's a good experience in total, but I expected at least *some* technical / technological content. No engines, engine-room or bridge components to be found. The "Kawasaki world" is lovely, however, it's not maritime

Shai Ben-Yaacov

Apr 11, 2025

We loved this museum! It’s a great place to go with kids of all ages (but I’ll probably go back again without kids so I can spend more time learning and reading at my own pace.) Majority of the activities, panels and explanations were also in English. There are robots, interactive hands on games and exhibits to learn about boats, shipping logistics, port infrastructure, etc Practice driving a giant 🚢 ship and operating a shipping crane. A great variety of informative and beautifully designed technology both old and new. The museum is located on the port where there are ferries and malls and events. We loved it, and will be back!