In front of JR Sannomiya Station once stood Exit A14, affectionately nicknamed the “Gulliver Tunnel” because its rounded shape resembled a gadget from the beloved Japanese manga and anime Doraemon. Built around 1933, during Japan’s early Shōwa era, it served Kobe residents for more than 90 years. However, as part of a large-scale station redevelopment project, this historic underground exit was permanently demolished in the autumn of 2025. Here we look back at its long life, its gradual disappearance during construction, and its final moments.
The Gulliver Tunnel in Use
Exit A14 was created in the early 1930s when department stores such as Kobe Sogo department store and Hanshin Sannomiya Station were being developed. For generations, it was simply part of daily life: commuters, shoppers, and students used its stairs without much thought. Its nickname, the “Gulliver Tunnel,” came later—locals thought its squat, arched profile looked like “Gulliver Tunnel,” a whimsical device in Doraemon, Japan’s most famous children’s manga and cartoon that began in the 1970s and remains a cultural icon today.
To Kobe residents, this was not just an exit but a reminder of continuity, a small but enduring symbol of the city’s modern history.
The “Gulliver Tunnel” as it was in daily use.
The exit was officially numbered “A14.”
View of the underground passage from the street level.
The entrance as seen from inside the underground passage.
During Redevelopment Works
As Kobe’s city center moved into yet another cycle of large-scale redevelopment—Japan is often said to favor “scrap and build” rather than preserving older structures—the Gulliver Tunnel was marked for removal. In early 2025, the exit was closed, then fenced off by protective walls. For a short time, pedestrians could still walk along its side and glance at its familiar outline, but by summer the entire area was off-limits. By August, it was completely hidden under construction covers, signaling that demolition was imminent.
The passage was closed and surrounded by protective walls.
At this stage, the walkway ran directly alongside the Gulliver Tunnel.
Later, the passage was also closed, leaving only the Gulliver Tunnel itself behind barriers.
After Demolition – The Last Remains
By late September 2025, the Gulliver Tunnel was gone. Only rubble remained where the arched stairs had stood for nearly a century. Seeing the debris was like witnessing the very last breath of a structure that had quietly served the city for decades.
Although demolition took only moments, the Gulliver Tunnel raised important questions: Should every old structure be torn down, or should some be preserved to keep alive the memory of the city? For those who knew it, remembering and retelling its story is one way to pass on Kobe’s living history to the next generation.
The Gulliver Tunnel reduced to rubble after demolition.
Demolition was quick, but the loss made many reflect on the importance of preserving older structures.
