Kobe is a port city located in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. It is known for its rich history, unique culture, delicious cuisine and iconic sights. In this article, we will explore the history of Kobe and the main sights to see.
History of Kobe:
Kobe has a rich and interesting history that dates back over 2000 years. The city was once a small fishing village, but it quickly prospered due to its strategic location as a natural harbor. During the Edo period (1603-1868), Kobe was an important crossing point for maritime trade with the West.
In 1868, after the Meiji Restoration, the Japanese government opened Kobe to foreign trade, thus strengthening its position as an international port. Major investments were made to modernize the city and improve its infrastructure.
Kobe experienced a difficult time in 1995, when a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck the city, killing over 6,000 people and destroying thousands of buildings. However, thanks to reconstruction efforts, the city quickly came back to life and continued to develop into a popular tourist destination.
Sights in Kobe:
- Kitano District: The Kitano district is one of the most famous districts in Kobe. It is home to many traditional houses dating back to the Meiji period (1868-1912), which have been preserved and restored. The houses have become museums, stores, restaurants and cafes, offering visitors a unique experience of Kobe’s culture and history.
- Meriken Park and Harbor: This picturesque park is located along the Kobe Harbor. It is famous for its unique architecture, including the Kobe Port Tower, which offers a panoramic view of the city. Visitors can also enjoy the statues of Kobe’s famous baseball team, the Hanshin Tigers.
- Nankinmachi Market is a traditional Chinese food market located in downtown Kobe. Visitors can experience the local Chinese cuisine and unique specialties of the Kobe area.
- Takenaka Woodworking Tools Museum: This museum is dedicated to the preservation of Japanese woodworking culture. The museum was established by the Takenaka Corporation, which is a Japanese construction company with a long history dating back over 400 years. The museum features a collection of high-quality Japanese woodworking tools, as well as exhibits on the history and culture of Japanese woodworking. Visitors can see traditional cutting tools, measuring tools and shaping tools, as well as examples of how these tools were used to make furniture and wooden objects.
- Kobe City Museum: The Kobe City Museum is an art museum located in the city of Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. It was founded in 1982 and focuses on modern and contemporary art, as well as the cultural history of Kobe City and its region. The museum houses a permanent collection of approximately 9,000 works of art, including paintings, sculptures, photographs, ceramics and decorative arts.
focus on the Nanban screens at the Kobe city museum
Nanban screens are decorative Japanese screens that were influenced by trade and cultural exchanges with the Portuguese and Spanish in the 16th century. “Nanban” literally means “southern barbarians” in Japanese and refers to the Europeans who visited Japan at that time. Nanban screens were often used to divide spaces or to serve as backdrops in Japanese theaters. The screens are usually made of wood and decorated with paintings depicting scenes from the daily life of Europeans, including soldiers, ships, exotic animals and landscapes.
Kobe was an important center of trade and exchange with the Portuguese and Spanish during the Nanban period. The Kobe Municipal Museum has an important collection of Nanban screens, some of which were acquired directly from Portuguese merchant families. The Nanban screens are considered to be an important testimony to the history and culture of Japan during the period of contact with the Western world.
