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Learn About The Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake
The Great Hanshin-Awaji earthquake struck Kobe city and surrounding areas on 17th January 1995 killing 6434 people, injuring tens of thousands and destroying homes, buildings and towns. This disaster has left a resounding impact of the lives of those it affected. It changed the face of Kobe and brought in new architectural designs and building…
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Kobe Luminarie: A time to remember, remind and rebuild
Photos and Article by Goh Qiu Ting. When I first came across the idea of going to the Kobe Luminarie, the first thought that came to mind was the festive lightings all set for Christmas. It usually takes place two weeks before Christmas in Kobe, JR Motomachi station. The cold, dark wintry season will be…
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Only 1 Week in Japan? Forget Tokyo and Stay in Kansai.
If you are planning to stay for only 1 week in Japan, forget about heading to the capital Tokyo. The heart of Japan lies in the Kansai region. Home to some of the oldest temples & shrines in Japan, magnificent castles, gourmet delights and wonderful views. The bustling capital city of Tokyo will be perfect…
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Visiting Universal Studios Japan from Kobe
Planning to head to Universal Studios Japan (USJ) from Kobe, Sannomiya? Here are the best ways to get there so you can enjoy the world’s largest Minion area, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and all your other favorite USJ attractions! As you would expect in Japan, you can hop on a train bound for…
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Keeping cool in Kobe; Surviving summer in Japan.
Summer in Japan can be overbearing with the stifling heat reaching record high temperatures year after year we thought we would share our favorite spots in Hyogo for keeping cool and ways to survive a Japanese summer. 1. The Beach Hyogo Prefecture has some some great beaches to take a dip during the summer. The…
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Coming of Age Day in Japan: Tradition Meets Modernity
As you wander through the bustling streets of Japan’s cities on the second Monday of January, a vibrant spectacle unfolds. Young men and women, adorned in elegant suits and exquisite kimonos, dash to trains, saunter along sidewalks, and gather in purikura (print club) arcades for memorable snapshots with friends. This flurry of activity marks a…
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Experience the Thrill of a Hanshin Tigers Game at Koshien Stadium in Japan
Visiting Japan during the baseball season? There’s no better place to take in a game than at Koshien Stadium, the home of the Hanshin Tigers. Located in Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture, this iconic stadium is just around 15 minutes from both Umeda (Osaka) and Sannomiya (Kobe) and hosts games from March through October. Why Watch…