The city of Kobe is often introduced in guidebooks as an international trading port, the home of Kobe beef, and a city with spectacular night views, but there are much more to see and learn, especially its unique history.

The Ikuta Shrine

One of the oldest shrines in Japan. After entering the huge red shrine gate, you will be introduced to a serene forest area in the back of the shrine which was actually a battlefield for a famous civil war between the Taira and Minamoto clans that eventually resulted in the start of the samurai ruling in Japan.

The Kiku-Masamune Sake Brewery Museum

The Nada-gogo district, where historic sake breweries are located. It is still a major sake production area, producing about 25% of the total amount of sake in Japan. At an established brewery with 360 years of history, a sake specialist will privately explain the history of Nada-gogo, their method of sake production, and their passion to create sake.

The Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake Museum

Visit the Disaster Reduction and Human Renovation Institution which conveys the experiences of Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake in 1995.Its interactive displays will give you an idea of the fateful day as well as how people of Kobe strived to overcome the disaster. You will also have a valuable opportunity to hear the story directly from a local resident who has experienced the earthquake and will present the lessons learned from this tragical disaster.