Kobe
The port city of the Seto Sea
Kobe is the capital of Hyogo Prefecture on the island of Honshu, and has a population of more than 1.5 million.
Since the 15th century, when it was the hub of maritime traffic in the Seto Inland Sea, Kobe has been one of Japan’s most important port cities.
Throughout its history, the city of Kobe has suffered many damages, whether during the Second World War, when it was hit by destructive bombardments, or during the earthquake of 17 January 1995, which ravaged a large part of the city.
Despite this, Kobe is one of the largest cities in Japan, and one of the most popular among tourists. Connected to Tokyo by Shinkansen, but also to Osaka in 25 minutes, it has two major stations (Sannomiya station and Shin-Kobe station) and is therefore easily accessible.
Kobe is also famous for its beef, one of the best and most tender in the world. Kobe meat is almost a luxury dish: it represents less than 1% of beef consumption in Japan.
Among the most interesting districts of Kobe is Kitano, located at the foot of the mountains, where there are many mansions called ijinkan (“foreigners’ houses”). These manor houses were built during the Meiji era to accommodate Western diplomats. The Nankinmachi district (Chinatown) and Motomachi Trade Avenue are also not to be missed.
The most emblematic place in Kobe is Meriken Park, built around the iconic 108-metre high Kobe Port Tower. The Kobe-Ohashi bridge is also worth seeing, especially at night. For the best view of Kobe, you should go to the Kikuseidai observation platform on Mount Maya, or to Mount Rokko, accessible by cable car.
On the cultural side, Kobe hosts the Hyogo Prefectural Art Museum, a museum of modern art designed by the famous Japanese architect Tadao Ando. The city is also famous for hosting many fashion events.
Finally, Kobe is also a city with many natural areas, including the Nunobiki and Odaki waterfalls, which can be reached by following the Ikuta River from Shin-Kobe Station. The Arima-Onsen hot spring is also a must in the city: these thermal baths with therapeutic properties are one of the most famous in Japan.
General informations
In japanese : 神戸
Region : Kansai
Prefecture : Hyogo
Population : 1.5 million inhabitants
Density : 2,740 inhab/km²
Link : Official Website