Kobe Port in the 1970s

This is Haruki Murakami’s debut work describing the summer of 1970. “I” who got a little wiser looks back on “I” who came back to Kobe from Tokyo at the age of 21 during the summer vacation. Kobe’s ports, towns and bars are described beautifully. Friendship, love, and solitude are the themes of the book. The story about a summer spent by the protagonist in a port town impresses us even now with its unchangeable sentiment.

Gongen Shrine

Written from the perspective of Boy H, this is a story about a time when people lived resilient lives under the dark shadow of war. The time that Boy H spent in Nagata (where the writer of this book, Kappa Seno, was born and raised), Suma and Sannomiya are described in an animated way. This book makes us realize that the starting point of the writer, who wanted to be a painter and later became a stage artist, can be found in Kobe.

In a place 2 km up the Myohoji River from the house toward the mountains, stood Gongen Shrine. Children called it “Gongen-san”.
Since various show tents were set up at for the shrine’s festival, Boy H went there year after year.
”Now that I’m a 4th grader, I’ll go alone,” Boy H said as he went out. After passing under a nearby torii gate, he found a strange box with lens in which he had never seen before.

From Boy H by Kappa Seno (Shincho Paperback)

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The Kobe City Museum of Literature with its attractive red brick exterior is an atmospheric place, which uses the chapel of Kwansei Gakuin University built in 1904. You can leisurely immerse yourself in the world of literature in areas such as the Permanent Exhibition Zone for materials and beloved items of writers related to Kobe; the Planned Exhibition Zone which exhibits items by theme; the “Kobe’s Bookshelves” where works by writers related to Kobe can be found; and the Salon where you can enjoy reading books while talking and drinking coffee.

The red brick exterior reminds us of history and tradition, and now serves as a landmark.

Many precious materials are kept in a glass case.

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The Permanent Exhibition Zone shows materials and beloved items of writers related to Kobe.

The Salon is a popular spot to enjoy reading, talking and drinking coffee.

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“Literary Walking”, a brochure describing what to see in each ward, is distributed free of charge.

High ceilings, arched beams and large windows create a beautiful space.

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Kobe City Museum of Literature

• Address: 3-1-2 Oji-cho, Nada-ku, Kobe
  Open: 10:00-18:00 on weekdays, 9:00-17:00 on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.
  Closed: Every Wednesday (closed the following day should Wednesday be a national holiday) Dec. 28th-Jan. 4th
  Admission: Free
  Access:
     Approximately 600m northwest of JR Nada Station North Exit.
     Approximately 500m west of Hankyu Railway Ojikoen Station West Exit.
     Approximately 850m northwest of Hanshin Railway Iwaya Station.
     Approximately 200m west of Kobe City Bus Oji Dobutsuenmae Stop.
  
• Inquiry: 078(882)2028
• URL：http://www.kobe-np.co.jp/info/bungakukan/index.html