19th September 2011
First thing in the morning, we checked out from the hostel and went to train station to go to Kobe Sannomiya 神戸三の宮. Since 5 of us would stay in Sannomiya that night, we went to the hotel to put our bag, while others found locker in the train station to keep the bag.
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| Kitano Ijinkan was near the hotel |
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| Kobe signal |
First, our plan was to go back to the train station to take bus to go to Kitano Ijinkan 北野異人館 (an old foreign residences area). However, as we walked towards the hotel, we found out that the Ijinkan was not far from the hotel. So, we decided to just walk to the Ijinkan because it would be nearer than walked back to the hotel. Then those still in station took bus and met us there.
After reaching the area, we found out that the entry tickets was expensive. And there were lots of foreign residences open for viewing. Then, we decided to go to the famous one only. We went to the Weathercock House, a former Thomas Residence. Maybe I was not a architecture person, I did not think that this has any special significance. This was just an old western building, frankly, it was around the same with the 'Glover Garden' in Nagasaki. Then, we went to Moegi no Yakata 萌黄の館. A former American ambassador, Sharp Residence. Also so so only. Felt the money wasted. But for those that like this kind of buildings, maybe they will enjoy themselves.
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| Weatherclock House, restored after the Kobe big earthquake |
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| the weathercock |
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| dolls for sale in the Weathercock house |
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| the symbol of Weathercock house |
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| The weathercock house |
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| Moegi no Yakata |
Before we left the Ijinkan area, we passed a shopping street. There was a shop selling accessories at 1050 yen, all very beautiful and glittering. We girls were excited and spent so much time inside. I was ok, I bought 3 items only as souvenir for my friends back in Malaysia. One of my friend, she bought until 10 items and the bill ran up to 10500 yen. After that, lunch time. Since Kobe was famous for beef. My friend already booked a place in a restaurant that was famous for Kobe beef. The restaurant was near Nankin Machi 南京町. Since only me and another friend did not eat beef, we took set lunch in that restaurant. The beef lunch was expensive. All those that have eaten, have nothing but praise. However, they were surprised that the meat was cut up and distributed to them in small pieces, not a whole big piece. Attached is the website for that restaurant.
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| Kobe beef shop |
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| Kobe beef |
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| One of the dish for the beef course |
After that, we quickly took train to Maiko to see the world's longest suspension bridge 明石海峡橋. On the train, I kept smelling the barbecued smell on the ones that have eaten beef. So smelly. But after awhile, the smell subsided. We reached Maiko Park quite late, it was around half an hour before it closed. So, we bought ticket and walked under the suspension bridge. We could hear the sound of the vehicles passing on top of the bridge. It was a nice experience. Actually there were a course that allowed one to cross the bridge from one end to another end, but that need early booking. After that, we left. Nearby, there was a Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Musuem, the name of the building was quite weird, called 移情阁, sounds like fall in love with other person.
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| Akashi Kaikyo Bridge |
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| transparent area for viewing? |
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| the walkway for the bridge |
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| if book early, can walk on that path to other side |
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| Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Museum |
Then, we went back to Sannomiya and went to take photo with the Kobe tower. Since the day was cloudy and raining. The plan to walk around the Chinatown did not take off. We just had our dinner in a chinese restaurant and back to the hotel. While those who took bus went to the station to take bus.
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| Chinatown of Kobe |
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| Kobe tower |
The hotel we booked was cheap because we booked early from Rakuten, 1900 yen per person. Even cheaper than the backpackers hostel and dormitory. The next morning, I took Skymark flight from Kobe to Kumamoto. While others went to Hokkaido from Kobe taking the earliest flight at 6 something. Then end of my September's trip.
Day 1: Osaka City
Day 2: Universal Studio
Day 3: Kobe one day trip (this post)
For itinerary of my trip, please click the below link.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/102820312/Osaka-Kobe-3-Days-Trip-Itinerary
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