Pay a Visit to Kobe’s Anpanman Children’s Museum and Mall

ByJustin Hanus

Hyogo Prefecture, Kobe City, Kobe Day Trips, Kobe with Kids

Dec 20, 2022

Pay a Visit to Kobe’s Anpanman Children’s Museum and Mall

Looking for some entertainment the whole family can enjoy? Well, your kids will likely enjoy it more, but who doesn’t love a day spent with the little ones entertaining themselves with some of their favorite Japanese characters? If you’re near Kobe, making a trip to the Anpanman Kids Museum and Mall promises to be a real treat.

The building is divided into two floors, the first being more of a mall with shops and restaurants, and the second is dedicated to the museum. You could easily do so if you want to spend a few hours exploring the character-related shops downstairs for toys and memorabilia. There are around 20 shops to check out, including some favorites like “Uncle Jam’s Bakery” and “Anpanman Salon,” so be prepared to come home with some tasty treats and sweet souvenirs. If you head to the bakery, try one of the adorable and delicious Anpanman baked goods, which the merchants do an entertaining job marketing!

One great thing about the first-floor mall area is that the characters often make surprise or timed guest appearances, so you might get a photo opportunity with one of the members of the Anpanman crew! Even if you don’t see a character wandering around, many cute and fun permanent characters are conveniently displayed for striking a pose on the first floor!

Heading up to the second floor will bring you to the unique exhibits and attractions available in the museum. If you or your children are interested in Anpanman, it can be a fun and exciting way to spend some time. Exploring the different attractions will bring you information concerning the history of this widely-known cartoon character, as well as random fun facts regarding the creation and legacy of the brand. The museum experience also offers many opportunities to take photos of the exhibits and the characters.

Anpanman is one of Japan’s most popular anime series from 1973-2013, giving it cross-generational and international notoriety. Due to this, the Anpanman Kids Museum and Mall can get quite crowded regardless of the day of the week. Luckily, due to the location’s proximity to the harbor, if the crowds become unbearable for you and your family, you can always opt for a stroll along the marina or get a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants.

Kobe Anpanman Kids Museum and Mall

From Harborland Station, walk 8 minutes or walk 10 minutes from Hankyu/Hanshin/Kosoku Kobe Station
1 Chome-6-2 Higashikawasakicho, Chuo Ward, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0044 (map link)
Tel: 078-341-8855
Website: Anpanman Children’s Museum (anpanman-acm.co.jp)

Photo by 663highland (Own work) [GFDL, CC-BY-SA-3.0 or CC BY 2.5], via Wikimedia Commons