On October 16 and 17, I joined this year’s field excursion organized by the Ishigaki Chamber of Commerce Tourism Department to Kobe. The theme was disaster prevention.
On the first day, we attended a lecture by Mr. Watanabe, who operates a company providing port services such as tugboats and sightseeing cruises. He shared his firsthand experience of restoring sea routes in the aftermath of the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake on January 17, 1995, and kindly guided us along the Kobe waterfront, where part of the quay has been preserved as it was after the earthquake, along with related memorial exhibits.
On the second day, we learned from Professor Maebayashi, who spoke about disaster management at accommodation facilities. He emphasized that disaster preparedness should not only be seen as a safety measure but also as a way to reassure and attract travelers. His talk included practical steps for preparing for potential long-term power outages following earthquakes or typhoons. Many participants expressed their hope to invite Professor Maebayashi to Ishigaki to share his expertise with a wider audience.
In the afternoon, we visited The Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake Memorial and the Disaster Reduction and Human Renovation Institution. The exhibition offers both an insightful look into Kobe before, during, and after the 1995 earthquake, and an educational experience on disaster preparedness. With its well-organized displays, use of modern technology, and storyteller corner featuring survivors, it is a meaningful place to visit for both locals and visitors to the Kansai region.
Alongside the serious learning, we also enjoyed delicious local food. My heartfelt thanks to everyone in Kobe for the warm welcome, to the Ishigaki Chamber of Commerce, and to all fellow participants for this valuable experience. This was my fourth consecutive year joining the excursion with the Tourism Department.
