Seniors Discover Kōbe

Kōbe, Japan.  What do you associate that with? Kōbe Beef?  At least that’s what I think of.  There is much more in Kōbe than beef. Can senior travelers name four or five large cities in Japan? Better yet, can you name the two largest cities?

Famous for its luscious beef and crisp, pure sake, the port is a thriving metropolitan city with an international feel. The sake-brewing season runs from October through April, and that’s the best time to take a tour of a kura (the Japanese word for brewery). For many, Kōbe will always be associated with the Great Kōbe Earthquake of 17 January 1995.

I liked this site a lot because it offers a wide variety of  links that seniors will find helpful as they investigate Kōbe. I found Kōbe Chinatown to be very interesting just like those in SF, Chicago and NYC.

A Great Place to Visit, Seniors

Wikitravel notes that Kōbe is one of Japan’s under-appreciated cities. A cosmopolitan port city with an international flavor, hemmed in by Mt. Rokko, it constantly comes up number one in expatriate rankings of the best place to live in Japan.  The ‘Official Kōbe Tourism Website’ is highly colorful and invites seniors to eat well, shop well and have a great time taking in the major sites in town.

Kōbe is known as a city having a unique style with the exotic atmosphere of Japan. Kōbe has been affected by foreign cultures and flourished as an international port since old days. It also boasts the Rokko Mountain, richly endowed with nature. My old standby TripAdvisor lists 124 attractions for senior visitors to check out. If you are “into” motorcycles (ships and aircraft) you might enjoy a visit to Kawasaki factory in Kōbe. Gardening runs in my family and the Kōbe Botanical Garden would be high on my list as well as Kōbe Harborland, another “must see.”

Lonely Planet notes Kōbe to be one of Japan’s most attractive cities.  Lonely Planet cut their list of things to see and do to just 25.  Virtual Tourist is always another fine resource and you’ll discover over 500 photos, dozens of tips and a nice video. If you going to be just passing through town, here’s a suggested list of sites to take in that includes a great walk. Above all Kōbe is a spectacular place for senior visitors looking to stray a bit further from Japan’s traditional culture in favor of urban life. Put this city on your list to visit when you think about travel to Japan.  You won’t be disappointed. jeb