Kobe is the most internationalized city I have seen in Japan thus far. Maybe it's because of it's port-city status, maybe because it is the city that has been rebuilt the most recently (after the 1995 earthquake), but it has a modern, global-urban feel to it that is lacking from all the other Japanese cities I have seen. Not only does it proudly displays world brands everywhere (in a much more explicit way that other cities) but it has some flavors from all over the world - French, Italian, Indian, Turk , Chinese and some Japanese hehe. There is a small China town in Kobe, but it is a shame the restaurants are quite expensive.
Some parts of the town doesn't feel like a Japanese city at all, but rather like a part of New York! There is an animated harbor area, when we went there was a festival going on with Taiko and traditional dance. One segment of the city also replicates southern France, the illusion is quite convincing.
Kobe is certainly on my favorite Japanese city list.
No comments:
Post a Comment