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Welcome
to Kobe!
 The
City of Kobe, located on the north side of Osaka-wan (bay),
is a bustling metropolis with a population of more than 1.5
million. Its port is one of the world’s largest and ranks
3rd in Japan for container traffic. By the 8th century, Kobe
had already become a center for both domestic and maritime trade
and in 1868, the Port of Kobe was officially opened. This was
also the year that Emperor Meiji ascended the throne and a new
era of international trade was established. Settlements for
foreigners were created which included both residential and
commercial areas. Kitano Ijinkan became the district for western
nationals and Nankin Machi for Chinese. The early western settlers
brought with them everything from food, to dress to art and
architecture, and it was from Kobe that western culture spread
throughout Japan. Although most of Kobe was destroyed during
the Second World War, several buildings built by these early
western settlers still remain.
Kobe is regarded as a cosmopolitan city to which many foreign
nationals frequent for both business and pleasure, and where
world cuisine is readily available. Kobe’s Chinatown is
considered one of Japan’s most prominent. Kobe maintains
sister-city relationships with Seattle; Marseilles, France;
Tianjin, China; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Riga, Latvia; Brisbane,
Australia and Barcelona, Spain.
KOBE EARTHQUAKE (Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake)
At 5:46 A.M. on January 17, 1995, Kobe was struck
with Japan’s most devastating earthquake since the Great
Kanto Earthquake of 1923. In just under 20 seconds, the powerful
jolt reduced the city to rubble - 4,571 people were killed,
14,678 were injured, more than 80,000 structures were totally
destroyed and the city’s primary industry - its port -
became inoperable. Through massive reconstruction efforts, few
traces of the earthquake can be seen today.
DOWNTOWN
KOBE
 Downtown
Kobe is a modern metropolis which is easily navigated by several
bus loops. It is composed of three main districts, Sannomiya,
Motomachi and Kobe which offer fine dining and world class shopping.
The original Kitano Ijinkan and Nankin Machi settlements still
maintain much of their original character from foreign architecture
to international cuisine.
PORT OF KOBE
 The
Port of Kobe, established in 1898, is a state-of-the-art intermodal
facility which, according to the 2002 statistics of the American
Association of Port Authorities, ranks as 32nd in total cargo
volume and 29th in container traffic in the world. Prior to
the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, the Port of Kobe was Japan’s
leading port, and through ongoing reconstruction and revitalization
efforts, it is continuing to strive for that designation again.
In addition to its mainstay of cargo-related transit, the Port
of Kobe also accommodates world class cruise liners serving
North America, Europe, Central and South America, Africa, Oceania,
Southeast Asia and China. The Port of Kobe maintains sister-port
affiliations with Seattle, Rotterdam and Tianjin (China).
In 1987, the Port of Kobe opened Meriken Park to commemorate
the 120th anniversary of the port’s opening. From here
visitors can view the bay and the great vessel traffic or visit
the Kobe Maritime Museum and the Port of Kobe Earthquake Memorial
Park, both located here.
MT. ROKKO
 Mt.
Rokko, part of the Seto Inland Sea National Park, was first
built in 1895 as a vacation home by Arthur H. Groom –
an English trader residing in Kobe. It soon became a vacation
resort for foreigners residing in the city. A golf course was
later added making it the first golf course in Japan. Located
in the mountains above the city, Mt. Rokko is praised for its
beautiful natural scenery and “ten-million-dollar night
view” of Kobe City and its port.
ARIMA HOT SPRINGS
 Dating
back to the mythological age, Arima Hot Springs is the oldest
hot spring resort in Japan. There are two types of springs at
the resort – the “gold spring” and the “silver
spring” – each composed of different mineral salts.
The baths are known for their healing properties and the resort
continues to be a popular among people from all over Japan.
JapanCorner 2005
 
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