KOBE CITY

Kobe was brought to the world's attention during the 1981 Portpia exhibition. Easily accessible, It is a convenient and worthy site for The World Transplant Games. It is less than twenty five minutes by ferry from Kansai International Airport that offers direct flights from more than fifty countries, and less than thirty minutes by train from Osaka. It is also close to the ancient capital cities of Kyoto and Nara.

Like Yokohama, the city is renowned as a great port. The Rocco mountain range rises behind the city to the north, sheltering Kobe which enjoys a mild climate even in winter.

Like San Francisco in the U.S.A., Kobe is known as a lovely town of hills. From it, narrow paths meander up and down the mountain backdrop. On a stroll through the old foreign residential area you may wonder if you are really in Japan. Looking down on the sea-girt city from the hills at night is a magical experience. It is as though millions of colourful stars lie twinkling on the ground.

Kobe is also renowned as a gourmet's Mecca, offering a wide variety of delicacies. If you get the opportunity to dine in Kobe you will never forget the experience. The best Sake, Japan's special rice wine, is made in the Nada district of Kobe, and as for Kobe beef, once tasted never forgotten.

There's a lot of fun there!.

Useful Information

Telephone

{Public Telephone} When you can call from a public phone, life the receiver, insert a telephone card or coins. The area coad for Kobe is 078, though this should be omitted when making local calls.

{Telephone Cards}Telephone cards are available at station stalls and convenience stores in units of \500 or \1,000 per card.

{International Telephone Calls}You can make international calls using green public phones or gray phones.

Emergency Calls

In case of accident, theft, or crime Tel 110(Police car and policeman will be dispatched.) In case of sudden illness, injury, or fire :Tel 119(Ambulance or fire engine will be dispatched.)

Bank

Service Hours of Most Banks Teller Windows : Open from 9:00 to 15:00 from Monday through Friday. ATMs : Open from 9:00 to 19:00 from Monday through Friday, and from 9:00 to 17:00 on Saturdays and Sundays.

Postage

Airmail : 70yen for a postcard (to anywhere in the world) ; amount of postage for letters varies by destination.