Negiya Ryofukaku

Mt Suwayama

by heywinks

Located north of Motomachi Station is the entrance of the hiking trails that lead to Mt Suwayama. The trails are not so bad but there are some that make you pant & catch your breath. If you go the long way, you`ll be travelling down & then up again. There is a small lake when you get to the end. It takes about 1-1 1/2 hrs to get there from the first observatory, after Venus Bridge, if you don`t make a wrong turn.
When you start on the trail you will see Suwayama Jinja (Shrine). It`s small, but very beautiful! Wear really good rubber soled shoes & bring LOTS of water with you, especially if you go in the summertime.

Meriken Park

by Rabbityama

Meriken Park is Kobe's most famous location around the harbor. It houses Kobe Tower, which is the symbol of the city, as well as a variety of other interesting things.

Walking around Meriken Park, you can see a ship, two interesting marine vessels, the Maritime Museum, and a variety of artwork. It also offers a nice view of Harborland. At night the view of Harborland is quite pretty, because the ferris wheel is lit up. Kobe Tower and some of the sites around the park are also lit up at night.

One of the most interesting features of Meriken Park is the Earthquake Memorial, which is dedicated to the victims of the earthquake that devastated the city in 1995. It is one of the only preserved damage sites from the earthquake, featuring broken concrete, railings, and lamp posts pointing in opposite directions. There is also a small area with information about the earthquake. The memorial and preserved sight are rather small, but they are still worth visiting. The earthquake that struck Kobe was quite large and a bit unusual, since the faults that run through Japan are not actually under Kobe city.

The park is free, but to enter the tower it costs 600 yen, and the Maritime Museum costs 200 yen to enter.

nankinmachi :))))

by nathasha

this is the gate leading to nankinmachi in kobe :)) its beautifully lit up in the night!!!
no matter when u go, u won`t be able to avoid the crowds. but these crowds are nice, everyone is strolling by slowly, enjoying the tastes and smells of the street stands and the clourful gift shops and decorations :))
people are not rushing like on train/subway stations....the ambience here is relaxed and exotic :))

this is the name of the restaurant which is above on the left side of the entrance gate :)) can`t read the name and did not eat there yet either, but the food sure looked yummy :)) will tell u soon how it is ;))

november happy in china!!!!!!!
(town ;)))

map of the kobe china town :)) next to this map, there is also a brief historical explanation on the town`s development, as well as a chapter on the chinese new year :))

the white line above, in the map, is the JR motomachi station, the grey building on the left is daimaru, the big department store. nankingmachi is easily accessible, there is no way to miss it!!! enjoy the stroll & the food!!!!!!