Kobe Maritime Museum

The Kobe Maritime Museum opened in April 1987, to commemorate the 120^th anniversary of the opening of the Port of Kobe. The first floor (ground floor) presents “The Port of Kobe: Present and Future” and introduces the structure of the vessels, equipment, the role of the Kobe Port. The second level is called “The Port of Kobe through history” – with ship models.

Kobe Port was inaugurated on 1 January 1868. 12 British ships and 6 ships from other countries (the US and France included) entered Kobe Port on its first day. Though the port has flourished since ancient time. During the Nara Era (710-794), it was called Owada no Tomari – Owada Anchorage. As gateway to foreign trade, Kobe Port contributed to the progress of Tempyo Culture during the Nara Era. In the 15^th century, about 2,300 boats entered the port every year.

Many ships carrying Japanese emigrants left from the port of Kobe – group emigration to Canada started in 1891, and the first emigrants to Brazil left from Kobe in 1908. “Of the nearly 1 million Japanese who emigrated around the world, about 400,000 left Japan from the port of Kobe.”

Kobe Maritime Museum is located in Kobe Harborland, which I mentioned in the post on 24 July. Kobe Tower is nearby.

Sister/friendship ports of Kobe around the world:

And in Europe:

In the 12the century, the port of Kobe was repaired by the efforts of Monk Chougen.