Kobe Earthquake Memorial Museum (DRI)

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.