Thanksgiving in Kobe
Oct 18, 2019 By Justin Hanus
With the growing community of American expats, Thanksgiving Day is starting to make its mark in Japan. This traditional American feast takes place on the third Thursday of November. Japan has its own Labor Thanksgiving Day, on the 23rd of November, but an increasing number of restaurants and food stores...[ Click to read more ]
How to See Kobe on a Budget
By Justin Hanus
Traveling around Japan can be expensive, but it’s still possible to visit any city in the country if you’re on a budget. Kobe is no exception. It’s easy to reach Kobe from Osaka or any other city in Kansai and there’s plenty to do once you get there for almost...[ Click to read more ]
Best Cinemas in Kobe
By Justin Hanus
If you're an expat living in Japan, you'll find that going to the cinema isn't all that different from what it's like in countries such as the US or UK. There is the same array of snacking options such as popcorn and fizzy drinks. You'll usually need to choose a...[ Click to read more ]
Night Clubbing in Kobe
Sep 24, 2019 By Justin Hanus
Kobe is not quite on the New York levels of “city that never sleeps” but there is plenty going on after pubs and restaurants close up for the night with something for everyone from ravers to jazz aficionados. The good news is that many decent late-night joints are within walking...[ Click to read more ]
Where to Play Pool in Kobe
By Justin Hanus
Playing pool is one of the most popular pub games and you can find bars and halls the world over with tables where you can shoot a couple of casual frames over a drink or play more competitively. More popular in America and Europe, it's starting to be played more...[ Click to read more ]
Why You Need to Pay a Visit to Himeji
By Justin Hanus
One of the smaller cities in Kansai, Himeji is less well-known than places like Osaka, Kobe, and Kyoto. The city is best known for Himeji Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most visited castle in Japan. However, there are numerous other places to see and things to do...[ Click to read more ]
Japan’s Coffee Culture is Super Caffeinated – UCC Coffee Museum in Kobe
Sep 14, 2019 By Justin Hanus
The image of Japan around the world is that of a country where the main beverages are green tea and sake. It can thus be a surprise to see a large number of coffee shops in Japanese cities. Hot and cold coffee in cans can also be grabbed from many...[ Click to read more ]
Rokko Island Halloween Harvest Festival in Kobe
Sep 08, 2019 By Justin Hanus
If you’re in the area, you should check out the Rokko Island Halloween and Harvest Festival. This festival is one of the largest in the Hanshin region, and it occurs just across Kobe on Rokko Island at the River Mall. Grab your kids, friends, and family, put your best costumes...[ Click to read more ]
Top Cat Cafés in Kansai
Aug 20, 2019 By Justin Hanus
Big cities in Japan are known for their vibrant energy, but sometimes residents and tourists want a break from all this activity. In response, cat cafés have been popping up all over the country. These are much like regular coffee shops but there are cats wandering around freely for patrons...[ Click to read more ]
Where to Learn Martial Arts in Kobe
By Justin Hanus
Martial arts activities have long been a staple in Japanese life with both children and adults enrolling in self-defense classes and learning the various different disciplines. Martial arts can be fun to learn and are also a useful way of defending yourself and others in the event of a troublesome...[ Click to read more ]
