Kobe is located on the island of Honshu, and is an important administrative center of Hyogo. In Japan, the city has a reputation as an important industrial and commercial sites in the country. With around 80% of the local population, which exceeds 1.5 million people working in the service sector and only 20% of them belong to the economic sector.Urban architecture is designed in contemporary style. Here prevail towering skyscrapers and buildings, built using high technology.Unfortunately, the massive earthquake in 1995, almost completely destroyed the old buildings and replace them were built today, given the likelihood and impact of future prevention of natural disasters.
Because Kobe is also a popular tourist center of the country, there is excellent transport infrastructure. In the city are active two metro lines, taxi, public ground transportation. Guests metropolis are special tourist bus services. At certain points at the stop, which for every 10-15 minutes drive up bus, departing on a tour of the most interesting city attractions.Kobe also offers a wide range of hotels to suit every taste. Depending on the price preferences, they differ in the number of services, but have a consistently high quality of service. As in all the major centers of the country, the city streets are full of restaurants, cafes, bars and all kinds of entertainment.
One of the main modern and high-tech facilities Kobe is a suspension bridge Akashi Kaikyo Bridge , which runs through the Akashi Strait and connecting city with a city on the same island of Awaji. Prior to the construction of the bridge traffic between the islands was conducted by ferry, but the road was dangerous and often leads to disaster, given the strength of Pacific storms. Building a bridge with a length of 1991 meters, was carried out for 10 years, from 1988 to 1998. Thanks to double-hinged stiffening girders used in the design, construction can withstand very high wind speeds, and thus resist the raging elements. Height of the pylons of the bridge reaches 298 meters, which is a long time making it the highest in the world amongst themselves. Immediately after construction, the Akashi-Kaikyo entered the UNESCO World Heritage List on some of its technical parameters.
No less majestic looks and Port of Kobe Tower , with a height of 108 meters. It consists of a carrier of the retina and a strong central core. At night it is illuminated and presents a fantastic sight, something resembling the famous Eiffel Tower in Paris. On the day it can go up to 3 thousand tourists, and on the top of the breathtaking views of the city and its beaches washing waters of the Pacific Ocean. Unlike most of the city’s buildings, the tower was able to withstand the devastating earthquake of 1995, thus supporting the high reputation of Japanese engineers and architects involved in its creation. Near the tower stretches magnificent park Meriken , with a memorial to the victims of the disaster. There are a lot of greenery and flowers, among which the townspeople daily walk.
The main historical attraction is the region of Kobe Kitano-cho, which was formed in the late XIX century. It is a street, with placed on it the old houses, which were home to foreign merchants, who came here in the heyday of Japan’s trade relations with other world powers. The houses were built of stone and wood, in classic Victorian style. The locals call this area “idzinkan”, considering it as a symbol of European architecture in Honshu, the last century. No less attractive in appearance and design of Chinatown Nankin-machi, where there are about 40,000 Chinese. This is the place houses, traditional Chinese restaurants, shops and elegant park, with its statues adorning the 12 animals, each of which represents a sign of the calendar year.
You may get acquainted with the history of Kobe can at the Art History Museum, where guests can see the whole timing of events since the founding of the city to the devastating earthquake in 1995 and subsequent years of recovery from the disaster.Even Kobe is known for its factories for the production of traditional Japanese drink – sake. After the earthquake, almost all the factories were destroyed, but the Japanese ability to recover quickly after a disaster of epic proportions, they came to the rescue once again. Production have been restored in the shortest possible time, and again poured sake of the country. Those who wish to admire the art technology making Japanese beer can do so by visiting the Museum Hakutsuru , where you can not only hear part of the secret of making sake, but also taste it, it is completely free. Fans carpentry crafts are always welcome at the museum Takenaka, which presents all kinds of tools since the Middle Ages, and modern facilities for hand-carving. As a great place to relax and unwind recommended hot springs Arima Onsen , located near the city limits. Also drew the attention of the local zoo, especially interesting to children.
In Kobe reigns temperate continental climate, with warm winters and hot summers. Even in the coldest months, from December to February, the temperature here does not fall below zero, with an average of 5 degrees. From June to August, are not rare days when the temperature surpasses 30. Precipitation falls evenly throughout the year. In general, favorable weather conditions here and fun to spend time in Kobe at any time of year. The city is not only for its modern architecture and colorful sights, but also for the atmosphere enclosed in this part of the Pacific coast, making it one of the most attractive large cities of Japan.