Kobe (Japan)

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Kobe is the capital of Hyogo Prefecture and is a modern city by Japanese standards. Kobe has been a prominent harbour city throughout Japanese history and is today one of Japan's major ports. The port area is dominated by the red steel Kobe tower and the giant ferris wheel that offers spectacular views of the surroundings. Kobe is also famous for its hot springs with The Arima Hot Spring being the oldest hot spring resort in Japan. Other famous attractions include Mt Rokko that overlooks Kobe with an elevation of 931 metres. It was originally developed as a vacation resort for foreigners and is designated as part of the Seto Inland Sea National Park. The view of the Kobe and the port after dark from the top of the mountain is spectacular as is the rich change in colours of its forests during autumn. Kobe is also home to the world's longest suspension bridge, Akashi Kaikyo that was opened in 1998. It is one of a series of bridges linking Honshu with Shikoku and has been nicknamed the "Pearl Bridge" as it looks like a string of pearls when lit at night.