Hyogo Prefecture (兵庫県) — Earthquake Risk & History
Kinki region · Based on HERP official data
Hyogo is where the 1995 Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake (Great Kobe Earthquake, M7.3) struck, killing 6,434 people. This event redefined Japan's urban earthquake preparedness standards. Active faults remain along the Rokko Mountains, and Awaji Island faces indirect Nankai Trough tsunami exposure.
Fault Lines & Seismic Characteristics
Active Faults & Trenches
- Nojima Fault
- Arima–Takatsuki Fault Zone
- Rokko Fault System
Seismic Characteristics
The Nojima Fault on northern Awaji Island caused the 1995 earthquake, producing visible surface rupture. The Rokko Fault System runs behind Kobe City. The Arima-Takatsuki Fault Zone traverses the border with Kyoto. Awaji Island's southern coast faces indirect tsunami risk from the Nankai Trough.
Earthquake History
- M7.3
1995
Hanshin-Awaji (Great Kobe) Earthquake — catastrophic damage across Kobe; 6,434 dead
📖 Wikipedia
※ Showing M6.5+ or historically significant events. Source: JMA database and Kobe City disaster records.
Future Probability — HERP Official Assessment
30-Year Probability (Official Figure)
Long-term evaluation by the Earthquake Research Committee. The 1995 fault is unlikely to reactivate soon, but adjacent faults warrant monitoring. Kobe has been substantially rebuilt with seismic upgrades.
Traveler Safety Information
Finding Evacuation Shelters
- ✅ Search "避難所" (hinanjo) on Google Maps to find the nearest shelter from your current location
- ✅ Install NHK World or Safety tips (Japan Tourism Agency app) — both send English earthquake alerts
- ✅ Hyogo Prefecture official disaster prevention page (Japanese) — includes shelter maps
Basic Action Rules
- ✅ At check-in, locate emergency exits and escape routes
- ✅ On strong shaking: protect your head, open a door to secure an exit, do not use elevators
- ✅ Near coasts or rivers: move to high ground immediately — do not wait for a tsunami warning
- ✅ Emergency numbers: Police 110 · Ambulance/Fire 119
- ✅ Contact your embassy in Tokyo for emergency consular assistance
Research & Official Sources AI summary
-
30 years since the Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake: Kobe's lessons
The 1995 Kobe earthquake showed the world what urban direct-strike earthquakes can do. Japanese seismic building codes were substantially strengthened afterward, though many pre-code buildings remain in Kobe.
Source: 고베 시 방재계획과 (2025) -
Earthquake preparedness for Kobe and Awaji Island visitors
Kobe has been extensively retrofitted since 1995 and is safe to visit. Kitano Ijinkan and Port Tower have completed seismic upgrades. Awaji Island's Nojima Fault Preservation Museum is a compelling earthquake education site. The southern Awaji coast faces tsunami risk from the Nankai Trough.
Source: 효고현 방재과·아와지시 (2024)
Related Guides
Seismic characteristics and research summaries on this page are AI-generated from publicly available data by JMA, Cabinet Office, and HERP. Historical earthquake data (year, magnitude, damage) is based on official records, but key figures should always be cross-checked with the latest official sources. This page does not predict future earthquakes.