Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture, Kinki
Kobe (神戸市, Kōbe-shi) is the capital city of Hyōgo Prefecture and a prominent port city in Japan with a population of about 1.5 million. The city is located in the Kansai region of Japan to the west of Osaka. Kobe is classified as one of Japan’s fifteen designated cities and is a part of the Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto metropolitan sprawl.
It was one of the first cities to open for trade with the West, in 1868, and as such it is known as a cosmopolitan port city. Consistent with this reputation, Kobe has a population of 45,000 foreign residents from more than 100 countries. The city hosts the Asian or Japan headquarters of a number of companies including Procter & Gamble and Nestlé, and is the point of origin and namesake of Kobe beef.
The city was severely affected by the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake, in which over 6000 residents lost their lives. Kobe has largely recovered from the damage.
Kobe is situation in between the sea and the Rokko mountain range, which makes it one of the most attractive city in Japan. It is a city that filled with arts and fashion and is widely associated with the cosmopolitan of fashion. Which is why a saying goes, “If you can’t go to Paris, got to Kobe”. Twice a year, a fashion even called Kobe Collection is held in the city while the Kobe Jazz Street is held every October in Jazz clubs and hotels since 1981.
Some of the interesting attractions of this city is the earthquake museum build to commemorate the lives that was lost in the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake in 1995. You can also visit the world’s longest suspension bridge, Akashi Kaikyo, if you’re not afraid of heights and then drop of the Arima Onsen, which is a hot spring that is located within the city.
Of course, not to forget Kobe beef, it is one of the main attractions here – so eat some where you’re in Kobe City :)
How to get there?
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June 3rd, 2007 at 4:37 pm
In 1972 – 1974, i lived in Okamoto, Japan, yet ca not find it listed anywhere on any web site. Can you tell me if the town still exists or did it become part of another, bigger city or town? When I lived there, Okamoto was two or three train stops from Nishinomiya. Any information will be greatly appreciated.
June 5th, 2007 at 1:32 am
Hi Bob,
Yes, the city still exists, it’s part of the Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto metropolitan sprawl. Nishinomiya is apparently located on the southeast of the Hyogo Prefecture between the cities of Kobe and Osaka. So you’re not very far off if you can take a train there.
From what I found, if you can go to Amagasaki Station (Hanshin line), you need to take the main line that goes westbound. It will take you to Koshien, Nishinomiya, Ashiya, Kobe, Akashi and Himeji. So three stops before you reach Kobe city. :)
I hope this helps.
May 11th, 2008 at 10:59 pm
Yes, Bob, mochiron…Okamoto still exists. I live in Okamoto.