Click on the thumbnails below to see a larger version of the photo. Return to this page by using your browser's "Back" button.
Kobe is part of Japan's Kansai region, and is located roughly 33km west of Osaka. It is an important commercial center and port, as well as the largest city in Hyogo Prefecture. Large parts of Kobe have been largely rebuilt following the disastrous Hanshin Earthquake of 1995.
A few traditional shop fronts remain in Kobe despite natural disasters culminating in the Hanshin Earthquake in 1995. |
A familiar sight to anyone who has traveled in Japan will be the large number of noisy and smoky pachinko parlors. |
My friend Yuka lives in Kobe, and writes for a local magazine. This view is from the balcony of her apartment. |
Yuka, what sort of neighborhood do you live in anyway?! |
In Japan, the days around the First of January are passed going to a shrine or temple to make prayers for the coming year. |
You'd be smiling too after seeing all the tasty food, sake, and other interesting items sold at the shrine to commemorate the New Year! |
A short train ride from Kobe, Akashi is known for its castle, its scenic location, and proximity to the suspension bridge connecting Japan's main island of Honshu to Shikoku. |
A view of some houses in Akashi. |
|
 |
| Happy New Year to all! We celebrated it at the house of Yuka's parents in Akashi with interesting friends, family members, and loads of great food (not to mention drinks!). | |
Map of the Kansai region courtesy of Kyoto University. |
Japan map courtesy of Mapquest. |
