Kobe City Museum

Taking advantage of the characteristics of its location and building, this is a "museum open to the city" that will contribute to the promotion of culture in Kobe.

  • Cultural Spaces
  • The building, which was renovated from a bank building completed in 1935, is registered as a national tangible cultural property (building).

    The building, which was renovated from a bank building completed in 1935, is registered as a national tangible cultural property (building).

  • The Kobe History Exhibition Room on the first floor introduces the general history of Kobe. In the model in front of you, you can explore the inside of the model (modern Kobe) on a touch monitor like a street view.

    The Kobe History Exhibition Room on the first floor introduces the general history of Kobe. In the model in front of you, you can explore the inside of the model (modern Kobe) on a touch monitor like a street view.

  • The second floor "Collection Exhibition Room" displays the national treasure "Sakuragaoka Bronze Bells and Bronze Spears" all in one place. The bronze bells are lined up neatly against the background of brown copper plates, creating a dignified and calm viewing space.

    The second floor "Collection Exhibition Room" displays the national treasure "Sakuragaoka Bronze Bells and Bronze Spears" all in one place. The bronze bells are lined up neatly against the background of brown copper plates, creating a dignified and calm viewing space.

  • This is a special exhibition room for the "Statue of St. Francis Xavier," an important cultural property. It introduces Xavier's life and displays related materials.

    This is a special exhibition room for the "Statue of St. Francis Xavier," an important cultural property. It introduces Xavier's life and displays related materials.

  • The corridor to the second floor exhibition room features impressive linear lighting that makes use of the existing slender architectural shape. Exhibition spaces are lined on both sides.

    The corridor to the second floor exhibition room features impressive linear lighting that makes use of the existing slender architectural shape. Exhibition spaces are lined on both sides.

  • The museum shop and cafe have been reborn with a modern design. You can freely read the books in the space that makes use of the architecture from the early Showa period.

    The museum shop and cafe have been reborn with a modern design. You can freely read the books in the space that makes use of the architecture from the early Showa period.

  • The cafe's special room is a space unique to the museum, which has been recreated as the Thomsen House, a foreign-style house from the Meiji period, using lighting and furniture that was used as exhibition materials before the renovation.

    The cafe's special room is a space unique to the museum, which has been recreated as the Thomsen House, a foreign-style house from the Meiji period, using lighting and furniture that was used as exhibition materials before the renovation.

  • Kobe City Museum
  • The Kobe History Exhibition Room on the first floor introduces the general history of Kobe. In the model in front of you, you can explore the inside of the model (modern Kobe) on a touch monitor like a street view.
  • The second floor "Collection Exhibition Room" displays the national treasure "Sakuragaoka Bronze Bells and Bronze Spears" all in one place. The bronze bells are lined up neatly against the background of brown copper plates, creating a dignified and calm viewing space.
  • This is a special exhibition room for the "Statue of St. Francis Xavier," an important cultural property. It introduces Xavier's life and displays related materials.
  • The corridor to the second floor exhibition room features impressive linear lighting that makes use of the existing slender architectural shape. Exhibition spaces are lined on both sides.
  • The museum shop and cafe have been reborn with a modern design. You can freely read the books in the space that makes use of the architecture from the early Showa period.
  • The cafe's special room is a space unique to the museum, which has been recreated as the Thomsen House, a foreign-style house from the Meiji period, using lighting and furniture that was used as exhibition materials before the renovation.

Photo: Forward Stroke inc.

About the Project

Overview Kobe City Museum is located in the former settlement, lined with brand shops and cafes and bustling with Tourism and shoppers. The building is a historical structure registered as a national tangible cultural property (structure) and is said to be a masterpiece of architecture from the early Showa period. In light of this location and the characteristics of the building, and based on the concept of a "museum open to the city," the museum has completely renovated its permanent exhibition for the first time since its opening in 1982 in order to enhance its cultural exchange and cultural dissemination functions.
Issues/Themes The aim was to improve convenience for visitors by reorganizing the multiple exhibition rooms, library, cafe, shop, and other rooms that were scattered across two floors and clarifying the character and role of each floor. In addition, the exhibition stories were revamped and reconstructed to make better use of the museum's collection.
Space Solution/Realization The first floor, facing the city of Kobe, is a free-entry zone, housing historical exhibits, a cafe, shop, library and more. By incorporating the city's bustle and encouraging visitors to use the facility, while also introducing the general history of Kobe, the museum has created a space where the city and the museum can interact with each other. Meanwhile, in the exhibition room on the second floor, which requires an admission fee, one of Japan's most valuable collections, including national treasures that were only partially open to the public in previous permanent exhibits, is meticulously displayed using the latest exhibition equipment and methods. The exhibition space conveys information in an easy-to-understand manner, while also being well worth seeing.
Design for Environment Cultural property Preservation Planning: The display cases incorporate seismic isolation devices, and the exhibition room has double walls with an air gap between the exterior wall to create a stable indoor environment.

Basic Information

Client Kobe City
Services Provided Facility concept planning, Display Planning, Design, Layout, Production, Construction
Our Team Project Leader: Kenji Baba
Design Direction: Junya Takatsuji
Display Planning: Makoto Tsuda
Design, Layout: Takashi Fukuda, Kenta Takenaka
Production, Construction: Daisuke Tahara, Tomonori Abe
Models, Molding: Hiroshi Nakai, Yasuhiro Yoshida
Video Direction: Tatsuro Shiota, Tansei Institute Co., Ltd.
Project Management: Masakazu Sugiura
Location Hyogo Prefecture
Open November, 2019
Website https://kobecitymuseum.jp/
Tag
Junya Takatsuji

Design Direction

Junya Takatsuji

He has worked on numerous spatial designs for both the public and private sectors, including museums, corporate museums, Showrooms, exhibitions, etc. When creating spaces, he focuses on the social significance of the objects and events he is exhibiting, and always thinks about how to bring out the most of that significance through design.

Main Achievements

Koshien History Museum (renewal), Gifu Sekigahara Battlefield Memorial Museum, Kobe City Museum, Kochi Prefectural Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Museum, Kitora Tomb Mural Experience Hall - House of the Four Gods, Koshien History Museum (2010), Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Historical Museum, UCC Coffee Museum, etc.

*The shared information and details of the project is accurate as of the date they were posted. There may have been unannounced changes at a later date.

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