Kobe Maritime Museum and Kawasaki Good Times World
Two museums on the maritime and industrial history of Kobe under the same roof; combined admission ~700-900 ¥.
The Kobe Maritime Museum and Kawasaki Good Times World share a modern building with a roof shaped like unfurled sails in Meriken Park, facing the harbour. The Maritime Museum documents the history of Kobe's international trade since 1868, with models of steamships, navigation objects and panels about the port's role in the modernisation of Japan. Kawasaki Good Times World, in the same building, displays the high-performance vehicles and products of the Kawasaki Industries company, which originated in Kobe: racing motorcycles, aircraft, helicopters, bullet trains (shinkansen) and industrial robots. Combined admission to both museums costs around 900 ¥ for adults. Hours: 10:00-18:00 (last entry 17:30), closed on Mondays. It is in Meriken Park, two minutes from the Kobe Port Tower. The building with its white sail-shaped roof is one of the most photogenic in the city. Recommended for those interested in engineering, industrial design and the port history of Kobe.