Meet Kobe’s Sister City – Seattle, Washington
Jul 24, 2017 By Justin Hanus
The idea of international "sister cities" began in 1947 as a way to promote friendship and cross-cultural understanding after World War II. There was also an economic component to the concept to encourage trade and tourism. In the 1980s the Japanese government created the Council of Local Authorities for International...[ Click to read more ]
The Lighthouses of Kobe
By Justin Hanus
Being an island nation, lighthouses are an important feature of the Japanese landscape. The history of Japan's lighthouses meanders back more than one thousand years when signal fires, the "Noroshi," were lit during the day and bonfires, the "Kagaribi," were built at night to signal to fishing boats on the...[ Click to read more ]
The Orix Buffaloes – It’s Baseball, Japanese Style
Jun 28, 2017 By Justin Hanus
Baseball is considered the biggest spectator sport in Japan but if you find yourself at a Nippon Professional Baseball league game do not expect to merely sit and watch. In most of the Japanese professional sports there are “performance" sections where at the very least you will be expected to...[ Click to read more ]
Suma Aqualife Park: A Full Day of Fun at Suma Beach in Kobe
By Justin Hanus
Kobe is a city built on the water and Suma Seaside Park is the people's link to the sea. Suma Beach stretches for two kilometres and offers white sand framed by pine trees; it is a fixture on the annual list of the country's best beaches. Summer means sunbathing and...[ Click to read more ]
Kobe Love Port or the Minato Matsuri 2017
Jun 27, 2017 By
The Kobe Love Port (Minato Matsuri) is an annual festival held on Dainitotte (the 2nd Pier) east of Meriken Park close to the Port Terminal station on the Portliner. The festival celebrates Marine Day, express gratitude for the blessings of the ocean, and hope for prosperity in the coming year. This festival has a distinct nautical...[ Click to read more ]
Hydrangea Walk in the Kobe City Forest Botanical Garden
May 25, 2017 By Admin
The Kobe City Forest Botanical Garden, is a massive botanical garden and arboretum located near Mount Maya in Kobe, Japan. Despite its close proximity to the city, the "garden" is an oasis of nature where you can immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of the forest. There are several hiking...[ Click to read more ]
Animal Rescue Kansai (ARK)
Apr 25, 2017 By
ARK is a non-profit, non-governmental private organization with the aim of forming a network of people who love animals, believe in sharing their lives with them, and who work actively to rescue them from suffering. ARK was established in 1990 and became officially recognized as an NPO (Non-Profit Organization) in...[ Click to read more ]
Take a Tour of Hakutsuru Sake Brewery in Kobe
Apr 17, 2017 By Justin Hanus
In Japan, there are many ways to enjoy the tradition of sake. The rice wine has a long history in Asia, and the art of preparing it, serving it, and drinking it has been passed down across generations for centuries. Although picking up a bottle on your own or ordering...[ Click to read more ]
Welcome the Warmer Weather with 6 Natural Escapes in Kobe
Mar 27, 2017 By Justin Hanus
Situated between the sea and an impressive mountain range, Kobe boasts an array of stunning outdoor escapes located within and just beyond the bustling port city. Kobe might not be as massive an industrial and commercial center as some of its neighboring cities, but that doesn’t stop tourists and locals...[ Click to read more ]
Kobe’s International Cuisine Tour
Jan 23, 2017 By Justin Hanus
Although Kobe’s Chinatown is a major international attractor to the city, Chinese isn’t the only cultural influence worth exploring in this Kansai metropolis. Being a popular port city has brought a diverse array of international cultures to Kobe, and one of the best ways to experience this diversity is through...[ Click to read more ]
