This is Omori, the representative of KRM.
On Saturday, April 11, 2026, we were able to hold jewel of Kobe ~2026spring~ safely at Takahama Wharf, Kobe.
More than 120 Roadsters gathered from 27 prefectures across Japan and lined up on a wharf that is normally closed to vehicles. I think that sight will stay with all of us on the organizing team, and with everyone who took part, for the rest of our lives.
First of all, to every participant who came, to our volunteer staff, to our sponsors, and to that clear blue sky. Thank you so very much.
The Extraordinary Idea of "Lining Roadsters Up on a Wharf"
Takahama Wharf, Kobe. Right next to Kobe Harborland, in that spot where you can take in the sea, the city and the mountains all at once, 120 open-top cars stood in a row.
It is easy to say in words, but getting here took repeated discussions with the City of Kobe and the various authorities involved, the strength of all our volunteers, and the encouragement of many people who believed that "Roadster owners will absolutely enjoy themselves with good manners."
On the morning of the event, the sky was gloriously clear. The sea breeze was a little strong, but conditions for driving with the top down were perfect.
At 9:00 AM, everyone in the volunteer slot (⓪) began arriving one after another, and setup got under way.
How the Day Ran
To avoid congestion, we split arrivals into five time slots and had everyone enter in turn, following the marshals' instructions.
- ⓪ 9:00 AM Volunteers assemble and set up
- ① 11:45 AM General entry begins
- ② 12:30 PM Second group enters
- ③ 1:15 PM Third group enters
- ④ 1:45 PM Fourth group enters
- 2:55 PM Opening ceremony
- 3:00 PM Performance by the Suma Shofu High School Taiko Club "Daichi"
- 3:30 PM onward: free mingling, photo time, and a rock-paper-scissors tournament
- From sunset onward: staggered departures by time slot
Splitting the day into time slots let us keep congestion on entry, and the impact on nearby roads, to a minimum. To everyone living in Kobe and to the drivers who passed through, thank you for your cooperation.
Suma Shofu High School Taiko Club "Daichi" Shakes the Wharf
The guests we most wanted to welcome this time were everyone from the Kobe Municipal Suma Shofu High School Taiko Club "Daichi".
At 2:55 PM, with the opening ceremony still hanging in the air, the sound of taiko drums came rolling in on the sea breeze. Behind them, 120 Roadsters; beyond that, the sea of Kobe.
In that moment, the wharf really did shake.
The scene after their performance was also featured in the following day's Asahi Shimbun article, which carried a comment from club president Saora Kawakami: "It was so cool that I got completely carried away" (quoted from the Asahi Shimbun / reporter Yuki Chai, published April 12, 2026).
The gratitude is all ours: to have such a wonderful performance given in such a special setting left all of us at KRM deeply moved. To the club's advisor and to every member, thank you so much.
We Were Covered by the Asahi Shimbun
This event was covered by reporter Yuki Chai of the Asahi Shimbun's Kobe Bureau. On the morning of the following day, April 12, the article was distributed across a number of outlets, including Yahoo! News.
Asahi Shimbun Coverage
"120 Roadsters in a Long, Glittering Row: The Wharf near Kobe Harborland"
Reporter Yuki Chai / published April 12, 2026, 10:45 AM
The article carries a comment from Yasuo Yagino (56), who came all the way from Beppu in Oita Prefecture.
"This is my first time in Kobe since before the earthquake. I'm so glad it has been rebuilt so beautifully."
To be honest, reading that one line brought a lump to my throat.
Through a car called the Roadster, KRM cares about sharing the appeal of the city of Kobe with the whole country, and about letting people see the Kobe of today, rebuilt after the earthquake. That Mr. Yagino, who drove all the way from Beppu to Kobe, received that message. And that reporter Chai delivered it to the whole country in the form of an article. For both, we are sincerely grateful.
Voices from Participants
At the venue, on social media, and by email, we received so many happy messages. Let us share a few of them.
Voices from Participants (a selection)
- "My first time in Kobe since before the earthquake. I was moved to see how far the city has recovered."
- "Getting to park a Roadster out on a wharf is something you simply can't do anywhere else."
- "The taiko drums together with 120 cars gave me goosebumps. It was like a scene from a film."
- "It was my first time and I was nervous, but the staff came over to talk to me and put me at ease."
- "The sea glowing in the sunset, the Ferris wheel, and my own beloved car. I got the best photos."
- "From NA to RF, seeing every generation of Roadster together was a spectacular sight."
- "I definitely want to join again. Next time I'll bring my family too."
Problems, and What We Will Improve Next Time
From here on, I want to write down the points we as organizers have to look back on honestly. Precisely because it was such a good day, we will not look away from the problems, and we will carry them into the next event.
On Vehicle Compliance
― An important notice from the organizers ―
Several participants and people involved in the event reported to us that among the cars taking part, there were some whose condition raised doubts about whether they would pass statutory inspection.
At the 1st Roadster in Tetsujin Plaza (November 2025), KRM set out the goal of "zero illegally modified cars", and with everyone's cooperation we achieved it. We run jewel of Kobe on exactly the same premise. As long as a car is driven on public roads, meeting the statutory safety standards is not just "good manners for a Roadster owner" - it is the bare minimum responsibility of an adult member of society.
As organizers we will handle this matter calmly, but with a firm stance. Where multiple accounts have been received about an individual, once we have confirmed the facts,
we intend to decline their participation
in future KRM events
This is our responsibility as organizers, and it exists to protect a place where people can enjoy themselves. This event stands on a relationship of trust with the City of Kobe, with local residents, and with the authorities. We cannot allow one inappropriate participant to bring down the enjoyment of several hundred people and the trust we have built up so far.
The overwhelming majority of participants enjoyed themselves with real consideration for others. That is exactly why, to protect the space that belongs to all of them, the organizers will draw a line. We ask for your understanding.
⚠️ Operational Improvements
- Entry flow and parking guidance: The five-slot system worked well on the whole, but at the boundaries between slots there were moments when we were briefly short of marshals. Next time we will clearly assign a lead for each slot and strengthen our radio coordination.
- The load on our volunteers: To every volunteer who gave so much over such a long day, from the 9:00 AM call time right through to teardown, thank you so much. Next time we will build a clearer rotation of breaks.
On to the Next Stage
There is no time to catch our breath: KRM's 2026 rolls on.
First comes "Roadster in Tetsujin Plaza", held on May 3 (a national holiday). It is a special day, quite different from jewel of Kobe, gathering at the feet of Tetsujin 28-go in Shin-Nagata. The lottery results have already been sent to everyone who entered.
To those who were selected, congratulations. To those who were not, we are sorry. Let us make sure to meet at the next opportunity.
And then Saturday, October 31, 2026. We are planning to hold "jewel of Kobe 2026 ~autumn~" at Takahama Wharf, Kobe. For that event, it has been decided that Kobe Mazda's head office will come on board as a sponsor.
Kobe Mazda, the official Roadster dealership, giving formal backing to a local meeting—that is a big step for KRM, and it means more than we can measure for growing Roadster culture here in the city of Kobe.
To everyone at Kobe Mazda, thank you so much. We will share the details in due course.
With Our Thanks
Finally, once more.
- To the 120-plus participants who came out to join us.
- To the volunteer staff who were on their feet from early in the morning.
- To all of our sponsors who supported the event.
- To reporter Yuki Chai of the Asahi Shimbun's Kobe Bureau, who covered us so warmly.
- To everyone in the Suma Shofu High School Taiko Club "Daichi", who shook the wharf with a superb performance.
- And to the City of Kobe and all the authorities involved, and to the local residents, for understanding our use of the wharf.
This one day was made possible by the strength of a great many people. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.
Through the Roadster, we will keep sharing the appeal of Kobe, the recovery of Kobe, and the future of Kobe.
KRM is not about to stop walking forward.
See you on May 3 at Tetsujin Plaza. And on October 31, at Takahama Wharf.