The history of Kobe revolves around the port. In the 8th century the area was called Owada Anchorage. By the end of the 13th century, it was known as the Port of Hyogo and had become a prosperous and pivotal sea trading port for Asia. In 1868, Emperor Antoku came to the area and for a brief period of five months it became the capital of Japan. The city of Kobe was incorporated in 1889 and by 1940 it had become the sixth largest city in Japan. The port remained at the center of Kobe’s prosperity and Kobe continued to grow until the 1940’s. World War II brought devastation to Kobe. On March 17, 1945 over 300 B-29 bombers virtually destroyed the city and killed over 8,000 residents.

Over the next 10 years, city leaders in Kobe were dedicated to bringing the city back to its former status in Japan. By 1956, the population once again topped one million. and restoration was complete. Prosperity returned and Kobe became the second busiest port in the world and the number one port in Asia until disaster struck. On January 17, 1995, the Great Hanshin Earthquake destroyed most of the port, toppled freeways, killed over 6,000 people and left 300,000 homeless. Although there are few signs of the earthquake today, each year Kobe holds the Luminarie commemorative ceremony in memory of those lost in the earthquake. Today, Kobe is again one of the most important ports in the world. Vessels from 130 countries visit the Port of Kobe each year and tourism play a strong role in Kobe’s economy.