| Kobe is the capital of the Hyogo Prefecture and is | | | | It also boasts the Rokko Mountains which are |
| located on the island of Honshu. The city is | | | | richly endowed with nature and has flourished as |
| located almost in the centre in Japan and is also | | | | the hot spring such as Arima since old days. |
| considered one of Japan's most attractive cities. | | | | The largest of the shopping districts in the city is |
| 44,500 foreigners and over 1,800 students from | | | | the Sannomiya Shopping Centre it is a 550 |
| 117 countries including U.S.A., China, South Korea, | | | | meters long walk way, dotted with many shops |
| North Korea, and Vietnam live here. | | | | and restaurants. |
| The city is known as having a unique style with | | | | Kobe Harbour Land is a entertainment and |
| the exotic atmosphere in Japan, which has been | | | | shopping district along the water front of Kobe's |
| affected by the foreign cultures and flourished as | | | | port area, it has many cafes, restaurants, |
| the international port since old days. It is well | | | | shopping malls, a ferries wheel and other forms of |
| known for the night view of the city, from the | | | | entertainment. |
| mountains as well as the coast. Kobe is also | | | | Attractions in Kobe includes Akashi Kaikyo Bridge |
| known for having a some what exotic | | | | that is a great suspension bridge and crosses the |
| atmosphere by Japanese standards, which is | | | | Akashi Strait and connecting Kobe with Lwaya of |
| mainly a result of its history as a port city. | | | | Awaji Island. The bridge also known as the Pearl |
| Kobe was originally a good natural harbour which | | | | Bridge is part of the Honshu- Shikoku Highway. |
| has a long trading history with China and Korea | | | | Sorakuen is a traditional Japanese landscape |
| since ancient times. | | | | garden in the centre of Kobe. The garden used to |
| Kobe opened its new airport Kobe Airport on the | | | | be part of the residence of Kodera Kenkichi, a |
| 17th of February 2006. | | | | former mayor, but was opened to the public in |
| In January 1995, the city was hit by the Great | | | | 1941. All the buildings, which had originally stood in |
| Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, which killed over 5000 | | | | the garden, were destroyed in the war, except |
| people and destroyed tens of thousands of | | | | for a stable. The former home of a foreign |
| buildings. But Kobe swiftly recovered from the | | | | trader, the Hassam House, was moved into the |
| devastation only in two years | | | | Sorakuen Garden from the Kitano district in 1961. |