Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress will be visiting Kobe. They are scheduled to attend the “30th Anniversary Memorial Ceremony for the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake” on January 17, and also view the progress of reconstruction efforts.
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The Motorcade Route and Welcoming Along the Roadside
Here is the route of the motorcade that Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress will take.
From Hyogo Prefectural Police 20250117.pdf
According to the notice, Their Majesties’ motorcade will not necessarily pass through every section where traffic restrictions are in place. Highway traffic restrictions are available here
If you would like to welcome Their Majesties along the roadside, please keep the following points in mind:
- Please refrain from bringing placards or banners.
- Please place your belongings in a clear plastic bag and put them on the ground.
- Please do not step out into the roadway or chase after the vehicles.
- Please cooperate with baggage inspections and metal detector checks.
For more details, please check the official Hyogo Prefecture website.
Their Majesties’ Schedule
Thursday, January 16
- Arrival at Kobe Airport
- Visit to Hyogo-no-Tsu Museum
- Briefing on reconstruction progress and an overview of Hyogo Prefecture at Hotel Okura Kobe
Friday, January 17
- Attendance at the “30th Anniversary Memorial Ceremony for the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake” held at the Hyogo Prefectural Guest House. （It was previously written incorrectly as Higashi Yuenchi. We apologize）
- Visit to the Disaster Reduction and Human Renovation Institution
About the “Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake 1.17 Gathering”
On January 17, 2025, marking 30 years since the earthquake, the “Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake 1.17 Gathering” will be held at Higashi Yuenchi in Chuo Ward, Kobe. As a place to mourn the lives lost in the disaster and foster “bonds” for the future, activities such as lighting bamboo lanterns and paper lanterns are planned.
- Date and time: Thursday, January 16, 2025, 17:00 to Friday, January 17, 21:00
- Location: Higashi Yuenchi, Chuo Ward（south side of Kobe City Hall）
Main Schedule
- January 16, 17:46: Moment of silence
- January 17, 5:46: Moment of silence and flower offering
- Bamboo lanterns and paper lanterns will be relit in the evening
For the detailed schedule, see [Official] Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake 1.17 Gathering
Finally
January 17 this year is a special day marking 30 years since the earthquake. Lately, I’ve been struck by the obvious fact that people under 30 didn’t experience it firsthand. In Nishinomiya, a moment of silence and flower offerings are scheduled from 5:46 a.m. at Nishinomiya Earthquake Memorial Park, and from 7:00 a.m. at the Rokutanji Park venue.
