“Taira no Kiyomori” the Historical Museum

The NHK drama, “Taira no Kiyomori,”has proven very popular in Japan since it was first aired.

We introduced “Taira no Kiyomori: the Drama Museum”, which opened on 21^st January, in our last issue. Another new exhibition pavilion, “Taira no Kiyomori: the Historical Museum,” opened on the same day in the same area. 

This historical museum is located near the Shinkawa Canal in Hyogo Ward, Kobe.

Once there was an old and historical port which was repaired and improved upon by Taira no Kiyomori. This port was called “Owada-no-Tomari.” The modern port of Kobe was developed on the foundations of what used to be “Owada-no-Tomari.”

Kiyomori used this old port as the base to establish and expand a trade relationship between Japan and the Sung dynasty of China. He is inseparable from this area when we think about the history of Japan.

“Taira no Kiyomori: the Historical Museum”

The museum consists of displays focusing on areas such as the customs and habits of his time, the development of the Port of Kobe, and ruins and excavated articles of “Fukuhara-kyo (the temporary capital of Japan during his time).”

Displays of the people’s lives in Heian Period

Kusuhoki-Aratacho Ruins 

Kiyomori and Sino-Japanese trade at the time

 Many entertaining stage events are put on by “Team Kiyomori,-Kobe” every Saturday, Sunday and on national holidays. This team is a promotion group who give various performances (music, dance, flyer distribution and etc.) to encourage tourism in Kobe.

"Team Kiyomori Kobe"

"Team Kiyomori Kobe"

An outlet of “Hyogo Furusato Kan” in the museum sells specialty Hyogo foods (sea products, handmade pickled mountain vegetables, miso, soy sauce etc.) and elaborate arts and crafts. Pick up good souvenir of Hyogo here! Sake of reputed and well-accepted sweets are recommended.

“Hyogo Furusato Kan” outlet

“Hyogo Furusato Kan” outlet

 “Taira no Kiyomori”: the Historical Museum (Owada-no-Tomari)

Venue: West of Chuo Oroshiuri Ichiba (the Kobe City Central Wholesale Market, Nakanoshima, Hyogo-ku, Kobe)

Date: January 21st (Sat), 2012 – January 14th (Mon), 2013

Time: 9：00 - 17：00（Last admission at 16：30）

Access:  1 minute walk from Chuoichibamae Stn., Municipal Subway Kaigan Line

             18 minute walk from JR Hyogo Stn.

Admission: Adults ¥600 (the Drama Museum only),  ¥700 (a ticket set for both the Drama Museum and the Historical Museum); Primary & Junior high school students  ¥300 (the Drama Museum only),  ¥350 (a ticket set for both the Drama Museum and the Historical Museum)

Useful links:
KOBE de Kiyomori: the Historical Museum: http://kobe-de-kiyomori.jp/dorama/#rekishi (Japanese)

Official blog of the “Team Kiyomori Kobe”: http://ameblo.jp/kobe-kiyomoritai/ (Japanese)

Information page for the Drama Museum and the Historical Museum : http://www.hyogo-tourism.jp/english/whatsnew/index.php?id=339 (English)

We will introduce “Taira no Kiyomori,” Osettai (the team of hospitality and performance) in Café Kiyomori and Nofukuji Temple in our next issue. Look out for it!

Ping（Hyogo Tourism Association)