On the tenth day, we headed to Kobe (神戸市), the sixth-largest city in Japan. Kobe is also the capital city of Hyōgo Prefecture and a prominent port city in Japan with a population of about 1.5 million.
Kobe is known for it’s cosmopolitan past, being one of the first cities to open for trade with the West in Japan. It is also known for the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake which destroyed much of the city. Finally, the city is also the point of origin and namesake of Kobe beef (神戸ビーフ), the most expensive beef in the world.
The first place we went to in Kobe was Kitano Ijinkan (北野異人館). It is a historical district which contains a number of foreign residences from the late Meiji and early Taishō eras of Japanese history. Each of the individual foreign houses charge separate entry admission fees. As we thought it’s rather silly to pay to look at “foreign houses” given we are foreigners ourselves and also because globalisation has made attractions like these lose their allures, we just walked outside the street and took photos.
Btw, there are lots of bridal salons and other wedding-related shops near Kobe Kitano. It’s probably because the many old foreign architecture that make ideal backdrops for wedding photos.
![The express train we took The express train we took](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3321/3429868414_fe0636b2c4_o.jpg)
![Ladies only train cabin Ladies only train cabin](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3354/3429868134_1235e985ae_o.jpg)
![A train driver A train driver](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3389/3429059337_806ac4ef62_o.jpg)
![The train driver at work The train driver at work](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3341/3429057973_a17f186755_o.jpg)
![The train driver's name is displayed to the passengers so you can file complaints if they don't drive properly The train drivers name is displayed to the passengers so you can file complaint if they dont drive properly](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3632/3429053521_411613ec16_o.jpg)
![area map of Kobe area map of Kitano](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3565/3429869844_4fc1776b4c_o.jpg)
![In front of a bridal salon In front of a bridal salon - there are lots of wedding-related shops in Kobe, probably because the old cosmopolitan buildings make good backdrops for wedding photos](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3311/3429876166_fb5a81e223_o.jpg)
![High quality wedding kimono High quality wedding kimono](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3628/3429060653_382fbba018_o.jpg)
![Hiring ad for gigolos Hiring ad for gigolos](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3659/3429054933_40a98edd93_o.jpg)
![There are lots of buildings like this with interesting architecture in Kitano There are lots of buildings like this with interesting architecture in Kitano](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3633/3429872696_7c0cc66f19_o.jpg)
![Wooden wheel in the background Wooden wheel in the background](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3311/3429871598_efd2b22632_o.jpg)
![Weird looking ad which I do not know what it is promoting Weird looking ad which I do not know what it is promoting](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3302/3429868182_6e91d4f5b5_o.jpg)
![We spotted a halal-certified restaurant at Kitano - very rare in Japan We spotted a halal-certified restaurant at Kitano - very rare in Japan](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3560/3429874392_f427861e57_o.jpg)
![At Kitano Ijinkan (北野異人館) At Kitan Ijinkan](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3399/3429871648_36612f3c97_o.jpg)
![Cardboard Mickey Mouse Cardboard Mickey Mouse](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3632/3429056959_c7d95c47df_o.jpg)
![Nice shrubs and bushes Nice shrubs and bushes](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3549/3429871516_5039eb1138_o.jpg)
![Japanese school kids on school excursion Japanese school kids on school excursion](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3392/3429056173_f1248569c0_o.jpg)
![On a slope in the street of Kitano On a slope in the street of Kitano](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3357/3429059213_730dc58c78_o.jpg)
![Bird cage with flowers inside Bird cage with flowers inside](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3600/3429054127_bcfd4e1b1a_o.jpg)
![Wild pussy willow Wild pussy willow](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3351/3429054179_fda5f95945_o.jpg)
![A French house A French house](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3325/3429059085_1dc2c2f01d_o.jpg)
![A foreign house with two oriental statues outside A foreign house with two oriental statues outside](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3356/3429054659_147fc850ee_o.jpg)
![A Dutch dwelling A Dutch dwelling](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3592/3429056319_0de2fd094b_o.jpg)
![Kitano street Kitano street](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3545/3429060717_12bbeaa893_o.jpg)
![My comrades house My comrades house](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3318/3429057373_5c85189a17_o.jpg)
![Beautiful flowers Beautiful flowers](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3647/3429874288_6c0147345b_o.jpg)
![Strange looking mini truck we spotted Strange looking mini truck we spotted](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3364/3429055701_820ba5082f_o.jpg)
![Someones little statue outside the house Someones little statue outside the house](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3330/3429875438_e74cda3f1e_o.jpg)
![Sherlock Holmes' house Sherlock Hormes house](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3392/3429869606_c179d77051_o.jpg)
![One of the few free admission attractions in Kobe Kitano One of the few free admission attractions in Kobe Kitano](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3580/3429875632_368988ee6a_o.jpg)
![Description of the museum house Description of the museum house](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3298/3429867832_89b86f960b_o.jpg)
![Photos depicting the devastating Hanshin Earthquake which ravaged Kobe in 1995 Photos depicting the devastating Hanshin Earthquake which ravaged Kobe in 1995](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3339/3429872146_125a652027_o.jpg)
![A closer look at one of the earthquake photos A closer look at one of the photos](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3358/3429870082_b58a2bd359_o.jpg)
![Window view from the free museum Window view from the free museum](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3315/3429058955_c7807a7383_o.jpg)
![Lots of beautiful flowers like these Lots of beautiful flowers like these](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3352/3429059415_7c6b291beb_o.jpg)
![Cabbage flower Cabbage flower](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3334/3429870010_f7829be363_o.jpg)
![Bottle-shaped flowers Bottle-shaped flowers](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3661/3429059741_dc42575181_o.jpg)
![Petit bottle-shaped blue flowers Petit bottle-shaped blue flowers](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3369/3429057599_1f7ac65e9a_o.jpg)
![Blue flowers with long petals Blue flowers with long petals](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3342/3429868008_92676e46ab_o.jpg)
![Purple and white flowers Purple and white flowers](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3325/3429873370_2c06397609_o.jpg)
![Petit red flowers Petit red flowers](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3628/3429872894_4d48fba499_o.jpg)
![Rachel likes to look at flowers Rachel likes to look at flowers](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3336/3429054431_c22f141e0c_o.jpg)
![Pretty red flowers Pretty red flowers](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3591/3429055845_ff97fc8876_o.jpg)
![Stalks of tiny pink flowers Stalks of tiny pink flowers](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3329/3429054887_974dc17cbe_o.jpg)
![Outside a cat-themed cafe Outside a cat-themed cafe](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3608/3429057287_543c932148_o.jpg)
![A vintage poster on Kobe beef A vintage poster on Kobe beef](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3088/3429060165_830e71f203_o.jpg)
![Vintage poster depicting Kobes cosmopolitan past Vintage poster depicting Kobes cosmopolitan past](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3354/3429058053_3ccfe231fb_o.jpg)
![Another exotic vintage poster Another exotic vintage poster](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3657/3429054317_a88d6d9de6_o.jpg)
![Vintage European wadrobe Vintage European wadrobe](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3564/3429870234_d277aa2ece_o.jpg)
![Hello Kitty dressed up as a Kobe cow Hello Kitty dressed up as a Kobe cow](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3555/3429869206_fde2912507_o.jpg)
![Kobear - a Kobe mascot Kobear - a Kobe mascot](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3612/3429869252_e912990b36_o.jpg)
![Residential park in Kitano Residential park in Kitano](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3377/3429055963_12bbdc81a9_o.jpg)
![One of the many foreign houses One of the many foreign houses](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3383/3429870176_40a1f23b46_o.jpg)
![Decorative Kitano Ijinkan shields Decorative Kitano Ijinkan shields](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3328/3429868802_912f1ed298_o.jpg)
![A clubhouse for foreigners A clubhouse for foreigners](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3369/3429874900_147e7a9d13_o.jpg)
![Oranges spotted in someones house Oranges spotted in someones house](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3302/3429867686_79fda3bea2_o.jpg)
![Grand looking foreign house Grand looking foreign house](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3624/3429059555_a01991401d_o.jpg)
![Another majestic house Another majestic house](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3541/3429054469_e359045524_o.jpg)
For lunch, we split way with Mark and Meiyen who went to eat a luxurious Kobe beef meal. Rachel and I find the price tag for Kobe beef a tat too steep. Hence we headed to a nearby small restaurant serving charcoal-grilled beef with rice. It was delicious! In fact, we came back here to eat it again on our second last day in Japan.
After lunch, we did some light shopping at the Kobe shopping district. We did not buy much stuff as the exchange rate for the Japanese yen was at an all time high and we found most of the stuff too expensive. In fact, some brands like Agnès B. and Porter bags, which were supposed to be cheaper in Japan than in Singapore were more expensive due to the pathetic exchange rate.
![The restaurant Mark went to for his Kobe beef The restaurant Mark went to for his Kobe beef](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3303/3429061591_b34b453659_o.jpg)
![Entrance to the restaurant Entrance to the restaurant](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3404/3429870352_f42d912601_o.jpg)
![Restaurant interior Restaurant interior](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3306/3429869432_3e85854ccd_o.jpg)
![The chef who prepared Marks Kobe beef The chef who prepared Marks Kobe beef](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3402/3429061169_37845bb23f_o.jpg)
![Slicing up the meat Slicing up the meat](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3351/3429056595_335fec0b78_o.jpg)
![Close-up of the Kobe beef Close-up of the Kobe beef](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3555/3429867638_6871906de9_o.jpg)
![Preparing the vegetable side Preparing the vegetable side](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3348/3429869760_e2971444db_o.jpg)
![Marks Kobe beef meal Marks Kobe beef meal](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3555/3429055603_760b42097b_o.jpg)
![Rachel and I are less wealthy, we had lunch at this small restaurant Rachel and are less wealthy, we had lunch at this small restaurant](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3365/3429059481_f84aecc35a_o.jpg)
![The chef who cooked our delicious beef The chef who cooked our delicious beef](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3611/3429058439_5d4ef7fbee_o.jpg)
![Close-up shot of the beef Close-up shot of the beef](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3541/3429056221_d06dfcdc56_o.jpg)
![The beef bowl Rachel and I had for lunch The beef bowl Rachel and I had for lunch](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3582/3429868228_eceaefe680_o.jpg)
![Indoor flowers Indoor flowers](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3596/3429871322_03912a58fd_o.jpg)
![Caramel pudding flavour Kit Kat - exclusive in Kobe Caramel pudding flavour Kit Kat - exclusive in Kobe](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3541/3429869294_59208cf374_o.jpg)
![Weird-looking Indian bath salt Weird-looking Indian bath salt](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3372/3429871722_f275550147_o.jpg)
![Ghostly bath salt Ghostly bath salt](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3586/3429868456_b3b3f10498_o.jpg)
![Bath salt for dirty people who work in coal mines Bath salt for dirty people who work in coal mines](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3386/3429872734_60e87fcba2_o.jpg)
![Glue boy lip balm Glueboy lip balm](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3562/3429871276_ecc3ce98ed_o.jpg)
![Anime soft drink Anime soft drink](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3606/3429055173_3f8a114edb_o.jpg)
![An interesting store that sells just merchants vouchers and coupons at values lower than the printed rates An interesting store that sells just merchants vouchers and coupons at values lower than the printed rates](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3337/3429875506_1f5cfd632e_o.jpg)
![Some pet charity group in Japan - Rachel made a small donation Some pet charity group in Japan - Rachel made a small donation](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3653/3429061133_54884b1663_o.jpg)
![Entrance to a long shopping street in Kobe Entrance to a long shopping street in Kobe](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3394/3429058103_321626486f_o.jpg)
![Shopping street Shopping street](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3367/3429875350_6757e69842_o.jpg)
![Interesting looking buildings which look like water colour paintings Interesting looking buildings which look like water colour paintings](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3570/3429872970_ea99fda862_o.jpg)
![Seen outside an expensive looking Japanese western restaurant - I seriously do not know what the text is trying to say Seen outside an expensive looking Japanese western restaurant - I seriously do not know what the text is trying to say](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3259/3429059255_765379186c_o.jpg)
![Meat shop specialising in Kobe beef Meat shop specialising in Kobe beef](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3404/3429054511_0c7a200d41_o.jpg)
Thereafter, we headed to Kobe Chinatown, Nankin-machi (南京町). If you were to ask me, I find the name quite ironic, given the atrocity committed by the Japanese soldiers during the Nanking Massacre in WWII. The place is actually quite cheesy. It looks like the kind of stereotypical “Chinatown” you find in western video games and movies with lots of touristy nonsense perpetuating the notion of the mystical Orient.
![Kobe Chinatown Kobe Chinatown](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3386/3429872634_2c52d77139_o.jpg)
![Cheesy red lanterns everywhere Kobe Chinatown](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3363/3429874494_f3e14898a9_o.jpg)
![These two China doll statues are the ultimate in cheesiness! These two China doll statues are the ultimate in cheesiness!](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3643/3429058997_a7d1a3eb35_o.jpg)
![I hate Chinese-themed shops like this! I hate Chinese-themed shops like this!](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3640/3429060993_a431d64d40_o.jpg)
![Chinese snacks Chinese snacks](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3619/3429871088_1b28d9810b_o.jpg)
![Pork dumpling stall - whats with the picture of the fat Chinaman with rosy cheek? Pork dumpling stall - whats with the picture of the fat Chinaman with rosy cheek?](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3314/3429875834_84042c6624_o.jpg)
![Rabit statue - there are statues of all 12 of the Chinese zodiac animals Statue of the rabbit - there are statues of all 12 of the Chinese zodiac animals](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3553/3429875100_1ed56c8131_o.jpg)
![Famous char siew pau stall with long queue Famous char siew pau stall with long queue](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3598/3429055459_584f5d9602_o.jpg)
![The char siew pau wrapping Famous char siew pau stall in Japan](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3537/3429872430_bcf1fca515_o.jpg)
![The tiny char siew pau - It sucks! The skin tasted very rubbery and tough The tiny char siew pau - It sucks! The skin tasted very rubbery and tough](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3362/3429868044_40ccebbc50_o.jpg)
![Kobe beef coroquette - Rachel and I still tasted Kobe beef afterall :) Kobe beef coroquette - Rachel and I still tasted Kobe beef afterall :)](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3558/3429055083_332764b848_o.jpg)
![Small bits of Kobe beef inside the coroquette Small bits of Kobe beef inside the coroquette](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3562/3429868270_9290283e5d_o.jpg)
![Fugu (puffer fish) spotted Fugu (puffer fish) spotted](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3411/3429053799_4d7b7f3e41_o.jpg)
![Fugu sashimi - for foolhardy gourmet hunters Fugu sashimi - for foolhardy gourmet hunters](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3609/3429054267_0710d0c477_o.jpg)
![Exiting Kobe Chinatown Exiting Kobe Chinatown](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3412/3429869482_7754a51102_o.jpg)
After Chinatown, we went to Harborland (神戸ハーバーランド), a shopping district in Kobe to do more shopping. Harborland is located along Japan’s eastern coast and you can get a fantastic seaview from the area. It is also home to the famouse Kobe Port Tower (神戸ポートタワー).
We visited the Hankyu shopping mall and the Mosaic Garden amusement park located in the area. We managed to catch the sunset in the Mosaic Garden ferris wheel. They had a Valentine’s Day special promotion going on for the ferris wheel whereby you can get a discounted price if you ride in the cheesy pink cabin with heart-shaped cushions and lots of gay-looking pink and red feathers.
Rachel and I had dinner at Saizeriya (サイゼリヤ) which is also available in Singapore at Liang Court. The restaurant chain in Japan has a wider selection in their menu and frankly, the quality of the food is also better.
After dinner, we took the train and headed back to our hotel. This ended our day tour of Kobe. We will be visiting the historic capital city of Kyoto (京都) the next day. Stay tuned for my next blog entry. 🙂
![A decorative piece at the underpass from the train station to Harborland A decorative piece at the underpass from the train station to Harborland](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3406/3429872778_f0e2d4d290_o.jpg)
![Another decorative piece Another decorative piece](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3585/3429869156_3ccc96ceb2_o.jpg)
![An interesting installation ad for the local zoo An interesting installation ad for the local zoo](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3590/3429875884_d9a86a5445_o.jpg)
![First time I ate pork from McDonalds First time I ate pork from McDonalds](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3661/3429872092_8d9bc6b2fc_o.jpg)
![We spotted a ferris wheel from afar, on our way to Harborland We spotted a ferris wheel from afar, on our way to Harborland](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3364/3429870496_5bc3aaaaab_o.jpg)
![An elegant motorbike we came across An elegant motorbike we came across](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3548/3429870892_7e93aa7862_o.jpg)
![Mosaic Garden - a small seaside amusement park Mosaic Garden - a small seaside amusement park](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3307/3429056087_942e621db5_o.jpg)
![Mosaic Garden ferris wheel Mosaic Garden ferris wheel](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3611/3429057551_1ae737a5e3_o.jpg)
![Beside the ferris wheel Beside the ferris wheel](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3310/3429875976_9feb061318_o.jpg)
![Various amusement rides available at Mosaic Garden Various amusement rides available at Mosaic Garden](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3300/3429870606_bcc8bb45ee_o.jpg)
![By the sea By the sea](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3397/3429867724_67733a7049_o.jpg)
![An expensive hotel at Harborland An expensive hotel at Harborland](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3541/3429872828_aba58f1d2f_o.jpg)
![Hankyu shopping mall Hankyu shopping mall](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3411/3429868650_42f4474d40_o.jpg)
![We bought the Valentines Day special ferris wheel tickets We bought the Valentines Day special ferris wheel tickets](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3644/3429058003_da833ce6c5_o.jpg)
![Cheesy heart-shaped cushions found in the ferris wheel cabin Cheesy heart-shaped cushions found in the ferris wheel cabin](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3370/3429060217_b916b8dcfc_o.jpg)
![The cushions are more suitable for Mark and Meiyen The cushions are more suitable for Mark and Meiyen](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3625/3429058849_484044c102_o.jpg)
![Rachel and I, minus the cheesy cushions Rachel and I, minus the cheesy cushions](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3600/3429869800_ee100ed9c1_o.jpg)
![Kobe Port Tower as seen from the ferris wheel Kobe Port Tower as seen from the ferris wheel](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3362/3429060343_f27e6e0368_o.jpg)
![Its almost sunset Its almost sunset](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3572/3429872234_f6d867759c_o.jpg)
![Sunset as seen from the top of the ferris wheel Sunset as seen from the top of the ferris wheel](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3572/3429871024_3d3d1fe1f2_o.jpg)
![From another angle From another angle](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3599/3429869118_7b358d57d1_o.jpg)
![Another angle again Another angle again](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3552/3429868106_d723f06979_o.jpg)
![Rachel and Anpanman (アンパンマン) Rachel and Anpan-man](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3568/3429061501_a8a0d36308_o.jpg)
![Me with Anpanman and his friend Me with Anpanman and his friend](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3365/3429057327_92b0e17605_o.jpg)
![Merry-go-round Merry-go-round](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3652/3429060509_a583e63348_o.jpg)
![Rachel was excited to see a specialty store selling Totoro toys and other Hayao Miyazakis stuff Rachel was excited to see a specialty store selling Totoro toys and other Hayao Miyazakis stuff](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3306/3429873178_c5d96376cb_o.jpg)
![Pandas! Pandas!](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3594/3429056445_61d6d1684a_o.jpg)
![The pandas from Miyazakis earlier work, Panda! Go, Panda! (パンダ・コパンダ) The pandas from Hayao Miyazakis earlier work, Panda! Go, Panda! (パンダ・コパンダ)](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3378/3429058189_69680e5d8d_o.jpg)
![Rachel loves this panda anime Rachel loves this panda anime](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3616/3429869022_39fec4ca81_o.jpg)
![Totoro collectible figurine Totoro collectible figurine](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3325/3429055413_c6f2ea47e2_o.jpg)
![Totoro on a plant Totoro on a plant](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3377/3429874782_70a40da529_o.jpg)
![Clothes Rachel and I bought at the COMME ÇA DU MODE store Clothes Rachel and I bought at the COMME ÇA DU MODE store](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3592/3429871234_753d1a3f51_o.jpg)
![Baseball park at Harborland Baseball park at Harborland](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3578/3429058529_40c42bcf05_o.jpg)
![Mark and Meiyen beside a Valentines Day wishing tree Mark and Meiyen beside a Valentines Day wishing tree](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3595/3429873576_d757a38c37_o.jpg)
![Japanese teens excitedly writing their wishes on free red ribbons Japanese teens excitedly writing their wishes on free red ribbons](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3373/3429057425_6e212cf0a6_o.jpg)
![Tying the ribbon to the wishing tree Tying the ribbon to the wishing tree](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3347/3429056875_a6874f4082_o.jpg)
![Mosaic shopping mall Mosaic shopping mall](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3337/3429868348_0962a4db08_o.jpg)
![The Kobe Port Tower in the night The Kobe Port Tower in the night](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3618/3429876020_db98611b09_o.jpg)
![The sea breeze was freezing cold The sea breeze was freezing cold](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3630/3429059943_5099b0ac18_o.jpg)
![Me, freezing as well Me, freezing as well](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3632/3429870754_0927968400_o.jpg)
![Very beautiful seaview at night Very beautiful seaview at night](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3324/3429871176_6c54592249_o.jpg)
![Mosaic Garden from afar Mosaic Garden from afar](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3324/3429869954_773fd0163d_o.jpg)
![The lighted ferris wheel looks very different at night The lighted ferris wheel looks very different at night](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3655/3429053911_fc3c90e7bd_o.jpg)
![Rachel and I had dinner at Saizeriya Rachel and I had dinner at Saizeriya](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3611/3429873040_c7f08307b1_o.jpg)
![The Saizeriya menu in Japan has exotic offerings like mozarella cheese The Saizeriya menu in Japan has exotic offerings like cheese](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3630/3429874584_2230980ae2_o.jpg)
![Our dinner - a pizza and a hamburger steak Our dinner - a pizza and a hamburger steak](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3663/3429060773_d06fb930ac_o.jpg)
![Close-up of my hamburger steak - much better than what they served in the Saizeriya in Singapore Close-up of my hamburger steak - much better than what they served in the Saizeriya in Singapore](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3315/3429058803_2e124a88e9_o.jpg)
![Slicing up our pizza with the roller Slicing up our pizza with the roller](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3604/3429053267_7ce5999fbe_o.jpg)
![Japans Mister Donut Japans Mister Donut](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3315/3429058635_7ce167b8ef_o.jpg)
![Rachel bought a box of donuts from Mister Donut Rachel bought a box of doughnuts from Mr. Doughnut](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3626/3429059301_7a493186d2_o.jpg)
![Bee Hoon donut? Bee Hoon donut?](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3108/3429058675_cc3ce57907_o.jpg)
![Chocolate-coated donut Chocolate-coated donut](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3405/3429057883_9b2241f391_o.jpg)
![Cinnamon donut Cinnamon donut](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3328/3429872344_2e01f778f2_o.jpg)
![Sugared donut with filling Sugared donut with filling](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3648/3429871946_5bb3c48ab8_o.jpg)
![Giant kiwi that Mark bought for supper Giant kiwi that Mark bought for supper](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3641/3429871562_320bdb19c3_o.jpg)
![Bye bye Kobe! Bye bye Kobe!](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3308/3429876070_34ff50f554_o.jpg)
![Bought this soda flavour popsicle from the Family Mart beside our hotel Bought this soda flavour popsicle from the Family Mart beside our hotel](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3663/3429870990_49b7767e52_o.jpg)
Links to my previous blog entries on my Japan trip:
Day 1 – Kansai Airport, Hokkaido
Day 3 – Asahikawa, Asahiyama Zoo
Day 4 – Sledding, Shiroi Koibito, Crab Buffet
Day 5 – The 60th Sapporo Snow Festival
Day 6 – Staying with the Asai, Shōnan
Day 8 – Shibuya and Akihabara, Tokyo
Day 12 – Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan and Dotonbori
Day 13 – Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge and Mt. Rokko
Technorati Tags: alvinology goes to japan, japan travel, hua meiyen, mark tan, rachel chan, tokyo travel, osaka travel, 神戸市, kobe travel, 1995 hanshin earthquake, kobe earthquake, hanshin earthquake, kobe beef, 神戸ビーフ, 北野異人館, kitano ijinkan, kobe kitano, kobe harborland, japan haborland, mosaic garden, kobe mosaic garden, kobe hankyu, sherlock holmes kobe, kobe kitano museum, kobear, hello kitty kobe cow, japanese bath salt, kobe motomachi, 南京町, kobe chinatown, nanking massacre, nakin-machi, kobe beef coroquette, japanese char siew pau, 神戸ハーバーランド, 神戸ポートタワー, kobe port tower, サイゼリヤ, saizeriya, japan saizeriya, mosiac garden ferris wheel