Ａ. The center has fixed viewing start times to reduce crowding. There are 3 start times every hour: at 10 minutes, 30 minutes, and 50 minutes past the hour. Start times remain the same for both individuals and groups.
Ａ. The West Building of the center has a one-way viewing route: 4th floor (theater) → 3rd floor (exhibits) → 2nd floor (exhibits).
Ａ. Ticket holders may re-enter the museum up to one hour before closing upon presentation of their ticket.
However, re-entry may not be possible when reservations and admissions are busy. During peak visitor season (April to June and September to December), re-entry for groups is almost always denied.
Ａ. The film “The Impact of 5:46,” which is screened on the 4th floor of the West Building, uses images, sound and lighting effects in a darkened room to recreate the intensity of an earthquake. However, these images may be shocking/overwhelming; some visitors may wish to avoid watching the video. In this case, please let us know before entering the exhibition so that we can arrange for you to enter the exhibition on the 3rd floor after passing through the theater. Please let us know at the time of reservation or before entering the exhibits.
Ａ. Yes! However, due to limitations of space, there is a limit to the number of wheelchairs that can be admitted to the exhibits at one time. Depending on the number, visitors will be divided into groups and asked to enter at different times.
Ａ. Yes! If you wish to borrow one, please inquire at the General Information Desk on the 1st floor of the West Building on the day of your visit. However, numbers are limited. Advance reservations are not possible.
Ａ. Coin lockers are available. You will be asked to use a 100 yen coin to begin using the locker, but it will be returned to you when you return the key.
Ａ. Service dogs may accompany visitors. Other animals are not permitted.
Ａ. The theater film “The Impact of 5:46,” which is screened on the 4th floor of the West Building, is shown at high volume in a dark room, which may increase the burden and stress on service dogs. Visitors with service dogs may wish to skip this tour. In this case, please check with our staff before entering the museum.
Ａ. The center has a theater where visitors can watch a video that recreates the moment of an earthquake on a large screen, but it does not provide “actual shaking experience” using a shaking table or other equipment.
Ａ. There are no professional language interpreters available to accompany visitors. However, volunteer language interpreters are assigned to explain the exhibits in English, Chinese, and Korean.
In addition, Japanese volunteers and staff will be available to assist you in multiple languages using an electronic translator. Please feel free to ask them for assistance.
Ａ. In principle, the exhibits are in Japanese.
- For video works in the “Great Earthquake Hall” (4th floor, West Building) and “Kokoro Theater” (1st floor, East Building.), electronic translators are available for free (English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese). The number of translators is limited, so please inquire at the time of ticket reservation.
- The wall display on the 3rd floor of the West Building features disaster-related materials accompanied by stories of disaster victims. This exhibit is available in both English and Japanese. Visitors can also view the translated details (English, Chinese, and Korean) of the disaster-related materials on their smartphones or tablets after scanning a QR code.
- The VTR screening on the 3rd floor of the West Building is available with English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Thai, Indonesian, and Vietnamese subtitles.
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- Taking videos of “exhibition images” is prohibited. Please comply with this rule, as it is related to copyright and portrait rights.
- There are some areas where filming is prohibited: the 4th floor of the West Building and the “Kokoro no Theater” on the 1st floor of the East Building.
- Except for the above areas, both videos and images may be taken.
- If you wish to photograph staff or volunteers, please obtain their permission beforehand. Please note that we reserve the right to refuse permission.
- Photography of other visitors is strictly prohibited. Please be careful not to disturb other visitors.
For more information, please click here.
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- We welcome public posting of information as a record of your visit (except for some items and locations where photography is prohibited; see previous question for details). Live broadcasting from the center is strictly prohibited.
- Please include our location as “Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake Disaster Reduction and Human Renovation Institution”.
- Please be careful not to include other visitors or staff members in your photos, as this may infringe on their portrait rights.
- The distribution or use of photographs or videos of the center’s exhibits, contents, publications, etc. for purposes other than “personal documentation of your visit” is strictly prohibited. For example, the use of videos or photographs taken at the center to enhance one’s own corporate image on other company web pages, pamphlets, presentation materials, product introductions, etc. is strictly prohibited.
For more information, please click here.
Ａ. If a disaster or other emergency occurs during your visit to the center, our staff will guide you to Nagisa Park, which is a “wide-area evacuation site” designated by the government. It is about a one-minute walk from the building. Please follow the instructions of center staff in an emergency.
Ａ.
- Police Station: Hyogo Prefecture Tatchiai Police Station
Address: 5-1-2 Azumadori, Chuo-ku, Kobe City
Telephone: 078-231-0110 - Fire Station: Kobe City Fire Department, Central Fire Station
Address: 2-1-19 Onoedori, Chuo-ku, Kobe City
Telephone: 078-241-0119 - Public Health Center: Kobe City Public Health Center
Address: 6-5-1 Kano-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe
Tel: 078-322-5256 - Hospital: Kobe Red Cross Hospital
Address: 1-3-1 Wakihama Kaigandori, Chuo-ku, Kobe
Tel: 078-231-6006
Ａ.
- The museum may close in response to severe weather and other conditions in the vicinity of museum facilities, or in the event of train service suspension. When a decision is made to temporarily close the museum, it will be announced on the center’s website and Instagram.
- The museum may close unexpectedly due to unavoidable circumstances. In this case, you will be asked to leave the center immediately, even if you are still viewing an exhibit.
- In the event that a severe weather event or related disaster is predicted to occur on the day of your reservation, please consider canceling or postponing your visit for your own safety.
Ａ. No. The individual ticket price will be applied to all individuals in groups of less than 20 paying visitors (college students, adults, and senior citizens). Group discounts are only available for groups of 20 or more paying visitors.
High school students and younger are free of charge regardless of whether they are a group or an individual. Please see “Ticket information” for details.
Ａ. A discount rate will be applied to the purchase of a ticket upon presentation of a certificate of disability.
One caregiver per disabled person may visit the museum free of charge.
Please see “Ticket information” for details.
Please note that there is no special discount for disabled visitors when using the parking lot other than the ones that apply to general visitors. When using the parking lot, please present your parking ticket at the ticket window.
A. Yes, you can. Payment methods are as follows:
- Cash
- Credit cards (VISA-Mastercard-UnionPay)
- E-Money(iD-Transportation-Kansai-WAON-PiTaPa)
- QR-Code(PayPay・auPAY・Mel-Pay・d・Pay・Yucho Pay・Alipay・WeChatPay)
- Coupons issued by contracted travel agencies
In the event of a malfunction of the museum’s payment system, it may be possible that only cash or travel agency coupons can be used for payment.