Minato-no-mori Park, Memorial park in Chuo Ward, Kobe, Japan
Minato-no-mori Park is a public green space in Chuo Ward, Kobe, featuring walking paths, landscaped areas, and recreational facilities throughout its grounds. The park includes spaces for both relaxation and activities such as skateboarding, basketball, and running.
The site opened on January 17, 2010, created as a memorial to honor lives lost and recovery efforts following the devastating 1995 earthquake. Its establishment marked part of Kobe's broader path toward healing and renewal after the disaster.
The nickname Minato-no-mori was chosen from public submissions, while the official name, Kobe Earthquake Recovery Memorial Park, marks the site's purpose. The park opened on 17 January 2010, fifteen years after the 1995 earthquake, on the former grounds of the JR Freight Kobe Port Station. A storytelling plaza (kataritsugi hiroba) is set aside for passing on accounts of the disaster.
The park is accessible around the clock and sits within easy reach of central Kobe. Visitors will find all facilities on-site for various activities and can explore the grounds comfortably on foot.
The park occupies the former site of JR Freight's Kobe Port Station, and its official nickname, Minato-no-mori, was chosen through a public competition. The viewing hill hides a storage warehouse underground, while a rainwater tank lies beneath the multipurpose lawn.
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