(23 Nov 2025) The stately main reading room of a Kobe University library that survived World War II as well as the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake is reminiscent of the world of “Harry Potter.”
The university is home to nine libraries, with the oldest being the Library for Social Sciences located in Kobe’s Nada Ward. Situated on the Rokkodai Campus, which offers a panoramic view of the port city of Kobe, the library was built in 1933 and holds approximately 1.42 million books, making it a “treasure trove of knowledge.”
The main reading room on the second floor of the main building retains its original appearance. The arched ceiling includes skylights, with stained glass windows allowing soft light to filter through. Twenty large wooden desks, used since the library’s opening, line the room. The stately presence and historical significance apparently leave new students in awe, comparing it to the world of “Harry Potter.”
This series explores Japan’s architectural wonders and secrets of yesteryear. Read more Retro Japan articles here.
