Dec 3, 2016 - 1 min read

Jazz Statues in Kobe Kitano

Reminders of Kobe's history of jazz music

By Cathy Cawood

Community writer

Saxophone player

An audience of pigeons

Flute player and cat

This saxophone player is taking a break

Kobe Kitano is famous for its Taisho Era European mansions, but the area also has associations with jazz. Jazz music first came to Japan through Kobe because it was an international port. In 1923, the first ever Japanese jazz band was formed in Kobe. Many Jazz legends have visited Kobe including Duke Ellington and Louie Armstrong. Since 1982 Kitano has been the site of a big annual jazz festival named "Kobe Jazz Street", which takes place in autumn. All that is why you can see statues of jazz musicians near Moegi House.

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Cathy Cawood

By Cathy Cawood

Community writer

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Olga

Olga 8 years ago

We have an identical flute player and a cat in Yotsuya station, Tokyo. I wonder who she is!

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