A Halloween plaza by Kobe's D51 locomotive.
On Saturday, October 31, the road beside the preserved D51 steam locomotive near JR Kobe Station will turn into a temporary lawn for a day of Halloween activities.
The D51 steam locomotive is a familiar landmark beside JR Kobe Station. For one day, part of the road in front of it will become a grass-covered pedestrian space, hosting a family-friendly Halloween programme and a preview of how the station area could change.
- Date & time
- Saturday, October 31, 2026 1:00–6:00 pm
- Venue
- Road in front of D51 and Kobe D51-PARK (under the railway)
- Organiser
- Kobe City
- Weather
- Cancelled in severe weather; moved under the railway in light rain
What can you do?
Halloween puzzle walk
Take a map and solve clues while exploring the area between Kobe Station and Motomachi. Some stops offer treats, and completing the puzzles lets you enter a prize draw.
Costume photos with D51
A photo session is planned with the preserved steam locomotive as its backdrop. Check the official event page for tickets and participation details.
Workshops, railway activities and food
Hands-on workshops, railway-related attractions and food stalls are planned. Individual activity times and registration rules may vary.
Why a lawn in the middle of a road?
Kobe City is using the event to test plans to turn the D51-front road into a more comfortable public plaza as part of its station-square renewal project.
A similar temporary grass plaza was tested in 2024. This time, the city is also examining how a future public space can be operated and maintained.
Before you go
The festival runs from 1 to 6 pm, with lawn installation starting at 10 am. Around 25 metres at the south end of the D51-front road will be closed to vehicles from 8 am to 9 pm.
In light rain, activities move under the elevated railway. In severe weather, the event will be cancelled, with notice on the official Odekake KOBE page by 11 am.
Check the official event details and weather updates ↗Make a day of it
Comfortable shoes are useful if you plan to join the puzzle walk towards Motomachi. Return to see the D51, try a workshop and explore the neighbourhood. Check capacity limits and ticket arrangements with the organiser.
Sources: Kobe City announcement and social experiment page; Odekake KOBE event listing. Confirmed October 9, 2026. Programme details may change. 神戸市・社会実験 ↗
Published October 9, 2026