Kobe (pop. 1,478,000) is to Osaka what Yokohama is to Tokyo. Both are the prolongation of their respective metropolis, and in the same way as Osaka is the second economic capital of Japan after Tokyo, Kobe is its second largest port after Yokohama.
Along with Nagasaki and Yokohama, Kobe is one of the port cities which opened to foreign trade in the late 19th century. Many European and Chinese communities settled there and the architectural influence can still be seen. Although a sizeable number of Westerners (mostly expats) still live in Kobe, there isn't a particular Werstern settlement anymore. On the other hand, Chinese maintain their presence in Chinatown, Japan's second largest after Yokohama's.
Kobe is Japan's 6th largest city (pop. 1,5 million) and is famous for its beef and international cuisine.
Kobe Earthquake
Kobe suffered a disastrous earthquake at 5:46am on 17 January 1995. The Hyogo-ken Nambu earthquake, as it is known, reached a magnitude of 6,9, and was the second worst in the 20th century after the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923.
The epicenter was 20km south-west of the city, and the most badly affected areas were in the center, along the docks and port area.
The quake killed over 6000 people and destroyed about 100.000 houses, leaving 300.000 residents homeless. The local government estimated the cost to restore the basic infrastructure (roads, public buildings...) to US$150 billion
Nowadays, little can be seen of the effects of the earthquake and Kobe remains one of the most liveable Japanese city, thanks to its Western and Chinese food and great location between the sea and the Rokko hills.
For more info on sightseeing, entertainment, shopping and nightlife in Kobe, please check Kobe-City-Info.com
How to get there
Kobe is an urban prolongation of Osaka. It is easily reached from Osaka by train on the JR Tokaido or Sanyo lines (25min, ￥390). Coming from Okayama, Hiroshima or further west, you should change train at Himeji is (40min, ￥950).
The nearest airports are Osaka Itami (40min by bus from Sannomiya station, ￥1,020) and Kansai International Airport (70min by bus from Sannomiya station, ￥1,800). Both have flights to the major destinations in Japan and abroad.
