Kobe Earthquake Memorial Museum (DRI)

Museum

Prefecture

Hyogo

Type

Museum

N/A

1 review

¥600

Entry Fee

English Staff Train Access

About This Destination

Powerful interactive museum documenting the devastating 1995 Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake with a realistic disaster theater and disaster prevention exhibits.

The Disaster Reduction and Human Renovation Institution, commonly known as DRI, is a deeply moving museum dedicated to preserving the memory and lessons of the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake that struck Kobe on January 17, 1995, killing over 6,400 people. The museum experience begins with a harrowing 1.17 Theater, where a large-screen film recreates the moment the magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck using computer graphics and actual footage, immersing visitors in the terrifying reality of that morning. Exhibits span two buildings and four floors, documenting the destruction, the emergency response, the long road to recovery, and the scientific research that followed. The museum places strong emphasis on disaster preparedness education, with hands-on exhibits teaching earthquake safety, emergency kit preparation, and community resilience strategies. English-speaking volunteer guides are available and provide invaluable personal context, as many lived through the disaster themselves.

Location

Prefecture: Hyogo

Address: Kobe, Hyogo, Japan

Nearest Station: Nishi-Nada Station

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Visitor Information

Credit Cards: Unknown

Food Options: A small cafe on the ground floor serves light refreshments. The HAT Kobe neighborhood has several casual dining options within walking distance.

Official Website

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get to the Kobe Earthquake Memorial Museum (DRI)?

From Sannomiya Station, take the JR Kobe Line one stop east to Nada Station, then walk 12 minutes south to HAT Kobe — or take Hanshin Line to Iwaya Station, also a 12-minute walk south. City Bus 29 from Sannomiya stops at 'Kentachi-Bijutsukan-mae' (HAT Kobe), about 250 m from the museum. By car, park at the adjacent paid lot.

What's the entry fee and is it suitable for children?

Adult admission is 600 yen, university students 450 yen, high-school students 300 yen, junior-high and younger free. The museum is suitable for older children, but the 1.17 Theater realistically reproduces the moment of the earthquake with sound and shaking effects, which can frighten very young children — preview the content with kids before entering. Allow 1.5–2 hours; English audio guides are free.

When is the best time to visit DRI?

Weekday mornings are quietest. Around January 17 (the earthquake anniversary), the museum holds memorial events and is significantly busier — meaningful but emotional. The museum is closed on Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a national holiday) and during the year-end period (December 31–January 1). Last admission is at 4:30 PM (5:30 PM on Fri/Sat from July to September).

What's nearby to combine with a DRI visit?

DRI shares the HAT Kobe complex with the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art (Tadao Ando design, world-class collection) — easy to combine for a culturally rich half-day. The Wakihama coastal park and HAT Kobe waterfront promenade are pleasant for a walk afterward. Meriken Park and Kobe Harbor are about 15 minutes away by city bus or train if you want to continue toward the harbor.