History of Kobe in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: November 25, 2025

Kobe is the capital city of Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan, with a population of approximately 1.5 million. It is Japan's seventh-largest city and third-largest port city. Located in the Kansai region on Honshū's southern shore of Osaka Bay, Kobe is part of the Keihanshin metropolitan area, situated about 35 km west of Osaka and 70 km southwest of Kyoto.

1903: Establishment of Kobe Golf Club

In 1903, Japan's first golf course, Kobe Golf Club, was established by Arthur Hesketh Groom in Kobe.

1935: Construction of Kobe Mosque

In 1935, Japan's first mosque, Kobe Mosque, was built in Kobe.

April 18, 1942: Doolittle Raid Bombing

On April 18, 1942, Kobe was lightly bombed in the Doolittle Raid, along with Tokyo and other cities.

1945: Bombing of Kobe

In 1945, Kobe was bombed again with incendiary bombs by B-29 Superfortress bombers, causing significant deaths and destruction and inspiring the film Grave of the Fireflies.

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September 1, 1956: Designated City Status

On September 1, 1956, Kobe was designated as a city by government ordinance.

1956: Designated City Status

In 1956, Kobe was designated as one of Japan's cities by government ordinance.

March 18, 1975: Kobe City Council Ordinance

On March 18, 1975, the Kobe City Council passed an ordinance banning vessels carrying nuclear weapons from Kobe Port, effectively preventing U.S. warships from entering.

February 27, 1981: Coldest Temperature Recorded

On February 27, 1981, Kobe recorded its coldest temperature ever at −7.2 °C (19.0 °F).

1981: Kobe Jazz Street Festival

Since 1981, the "Kobe Jazz Street" festival has been held every October at jazz clubs and hotels in Kobe.

1985: 1985 Summer Universiade

Kobe hosted the 1985 Summer Universiade.

1991: 1991 Men's Asian Basketball Championship

Kobe hosted the 1991 Men's Asian Basketball Championship, which was the qualifier for the 1992 Summer Olympics Basketball Tournament.

1992: Qualifier for the 1992 Summer Olympics Basketball Tournament

Kobe hosted the 1991 Men's Asian Basketball Championship, which was the qualifier for the 1992 Summer Olympics Basketball Tournament.

August 5, 1994: Hottest Temperature Recorded

On August 5, 1994, Kobe recorded its highest temperature ever at 38.8 °C (101.8 °F).

January 17, 1995: Great Hanshin Earthquake

On January 17, 1995, a magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck near Kobe at 5:46 am JST, causing widespread destruction and loss of life, and leading to the annual Luminarie event.

1995: Great Hanshin earthquake

In 1995, the Great Hanshin earthquake diminished some of Kobe's prominence as a port city.

2002: 2002 FIFA World Cup

Kobe was one of the host cities of the 2002 FIFA World Cup, hosting matches at Noevir Stadium Kobe.

2004: City's Total Real GDP

In 2004, the city's total real GDP was ¥6.3 trillion, with a per capita income of approximately ¥2.7 million.

2004: Establishment of Dragongate

In 2004, the professional wrestling promotion Dragongate was established in Kobe as an offshoot of Último Dragón's original Toryumon system.

2004: Value of Manufactured Goods

In 2004, the value of manufactured goods produced and exported from Kobe was ¥2.5 trillion, with small appliances, food products, transportation equipment, and communication equipment as leading sectors.