Very useful to gain an insight of how Kobe began as a port and melting pot of foreigners and locals as well as its importance as a major port city. Definitely useful to visit the museum first to have a better appreciation of Chinatown and buildings in the foreign settlement area where this museum is located. The first floor is a must visit showcasing the history of Kobe with nice videos and exhibits of the old and new Kobe streets and buildings and it's free too! The second and third floors are special exhibits. It's a relatively small museum and easy to visit in an hour. Photos below for your preview and do come here first before exploring the rest of the city. 👍