Kobe

Kobe is the capital of the Kansai region on Honshu Island, and one of Japan's most important ports. Along with Nagasaki and Yokohoma, it was among the first cities to open up to foreign trade after the isolationist policies of the Japanese government ended in the 1860's. Like many major port towns, the quantity of travellers passing through the area have leant Kobe a cosmopolitan, internationalist character. The town hit the international news networks in 1995 when an earthquake measuring 7.3 on the Richter Scale hit the port area of the city, devastating the infrastructure, destroying the elevated Hanshin expressway, killing over 6000, and making 300,000 homeless. This was the largest earthquake to hit Japan in recent years, but with significant investment from the national government, Kobe has now almost completely recovered from the event. The economic cost was well into the billions of dollars.

The city sits on a slither of land that runs between Osaka bay and the dramatic Mt Rokko in the South Eastern corner of Honshu. It is loosely divided between the port/harbour area (much of which is built on land reclaimed from the sea), the Sannomiya business district, and the suburban sprawl covering much of Osaka bay which would be of little interest to visitors.

Attractions

Mt Rokko is the impressive backdrop of Kobe city, and a cable car trip up the slopes is recommended for visitors. You can get a wonderful view of the city from the terraced rock garden a short walk from the cable car station. This is particularly impressive at night and a favourite spot for lovers enjoying a romantic evening on the mountain. There are several restaurants close to the garden, as well as gift shops.

The Halls of Rokko house a charming music box museum that houses around 80 different music boxes, as well as mechanical pianos and organs. There are demonstrations of these instruments hourly. The museum is open from 09.30 until 17.00 everyday. Admission costs 1000 Yen for an adult.

Near to the summit of the Mountain is the Rokko Alpine Botanical Garden. Around 1500 different species of wild plants native to cold regions are grown around picturesque lakes and streams.

Arima Onsen, on the slopes of Mt Rokko, is a hot spring resort that has been receiving visitors to its healing waters for 1400 years. Although the mountain itself is not volcanic, temperatures in the spring can reach an amazing 80 degrees Celsius. There are two springs, the gold contains iron and salt and the silver contains carbonic acid. Both are good for the skin, and are said to rejuvenate tired bodies.

Kitano Ijinkan is the Sannomiya area's most popular tourist destination. It is traditionally the area that foreign residents of high status built their homes. Merchants, diplomats and other dignitaries from the west brought the architectural style of their individual countries and ages, and many of the buildings have been preserved exactly as they were left. Although this is an area of great interest for visitors from other parts of Japan and the rest of Asia, it might be of less attraction to western visitors, as the novelty value of western buildings is lost on them.

The Shrine of Ikuta is an oasis of trees, shrubs and plants in the urban centre of Kobe. The area attracts many wild birds, and has a museum dedicated to the famous Kobe warrior Masashige Kusonoki.

Kobe City Zoo has over 200 different species of animals, including the extremely rare Giant Panda. The admission is 600 Yen for adults, and is open from 9.00 until 17.00 daily.

The Meriken Park is a memorial to the earthquake that devastated Kobe in 1995. It is built on reclaimed land next to Meriken harbour, which is where the worst of the damage was done. This harbour took its name from the way the locals called the many Americans that landed there. On the park is Kobe Tower, a local landmark. It is 108 metres tall, and there is a viewing deck providing panoramic views of the city. Next to the tower is the Kobe Maritime Museum, which has a collection of model ships that used to dock in the harbour. The museum itself is housed in a medium-sized sailing boat.

From the harbour area, you can take a cruise around Osaka bay, past the ferris wheel at the base of Mt Rokko, and towards the longest suspension bridge in the world, Akashi Kaikyo Bridge. Cruises can cost anything between 500 and 30000 Yen, depending on the length, and the kind of luxury you would like to enjoy.

Eating Out / Nightlife

Kobe, one of Japan's earliest international cities, is well known for the diversity of its restaurant scene. The Mosaic area in Sannomiya is the hub of Kobe's nightlife. It contains Japanese, Chinese, Thai and the ubiquitous Italian restaurants, as well as many bars and cafes. Whilst in the area, one could splash out and try the local delicacy Kobe beef. This beef is marbled and very fatty, but steaks can go for 10,000 Yen a head. The most common kind of bar in Kobe is Tachinomiya, which means literally stand and drink. The Sapporo brewery owns many of these bars, where you can get many kinds of Japanese beer, sake (naturally) and a good quality of bar meal.

Shopping

The main shopping district is in Sannomiya. You will find many small specialist shops in the narrower streets around the station. Many of these shops have been in the same families for many decades, some even more. Clothes, books, cutlery, tobacco, toy shops, all kinds of things are available if you can find them. The Centre-Gai shopping arcade leads off from the station, and many Japanese and international chain stores may be found here.

Tourist Information

6-5-1 Kano-Cho Chuo-Ku Kobe

Airport

Kobe airport reopened in February 2006, but only handles domestic flights at present, with services to Tokyo and the other major Japanese cities. The Shin-Kobe station is on the high-speed network and about 2.5 hours away from Tokyo.

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