Kobe - the Move

The fun filled week of activity at Sokendai finally came to a close and the 115 international researchers departed ways. The majority stayed within the Tokyo, Kanto region, while I was doing my research in the Kansai region, specifically in the beautiful port city of Kobe. Located next to Japan’s second city, Osaka, there were quite a few researchers located in the Kansai region that I would spend much of my free time with over the next 3 months. With only having the time for a quick lunch, I grab pizza flavoured noodles. Lo and behold, they were not pizza flavoured noodles… they were noodles with a pizza on top! Only in Japan…

                                     

Outside the gates of Kobe University

I arrive in Kobe via the Hikari bullet train, which travels at speeds up to 300 km/h, a feat barely noticeable during the incredibly smooth ride. Kobe is a city built around Osaka bay, which encompasses beach-side townships, vibrant and rich city life, as well as rural residences built upon the Rokkō mountains. My apartment was located on the lush Mount Rokkō which meant I had a very serene, though secluded summer . Situated just a 10 minute walk from the Rokkō campus of Kobe University, it was the perfect location to perform my research, as well as gain valuable mountain climbing experience for my upcoming Fuji-san climb!

View from my balcony of Sannomiya

View from balcony of Mount Rokko

Mount Rokko during the day

My apartment was a 5^th floor, two-bedroom flat which offered stunning views of the Rokkō mountains as well as Sannomiya, the central city of Kobe. Kobe is a city of around 1.5 million people, sprawling all around Osaka Bay and up the mountains. Not only was my apartment an excellent size for Japan, it would have been a decent size in England! Compared to some of the other ‘flats’ my peers had to stay in (ie. a room like a cupboard with no kitchen), I think I had an amazing find.

 Wet room controls + Clothes drier function!

Small but effective wet room +  electronic bath tub

 To cap the night off, I treat myself so some local (?) sake and Kobe beef from the supermarket. Small little portions of the beef weren’t too expensive at all – however, later stories will tell of true, primo Kobe beef. The sake was buttery smooth, bright, and fresh, like a very young white wine. The beef was soft, slightly fatty, and had a creaminess. Plus, those mushrooms… I love Asian mushrooms! Mmmm…

Stay tuned as I explore Kobe and the nearby UNESCO World Heritage Site Himeji Castle.