About Kobe
Kobe is a city on Osaka Bay in central Japan. It is known for its multicultural population, signature marbled beef, vibrant nightlife and scenic setting, with mountains framing the harbor. Antique cable cars connect Kobe to Mt. Rokko, which offers panoramic views over the port. Just beyond the Rokko hills are the outdoor hot springs and public baths of Arima Onsen. Kobe is also a home port for certain cruise ships. Kobe was one of the cities to open for trade with the West following the 1853 end of the policy of seclusion and has since been known as a cosmopolitan port city. Kobe has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and cool to cold winters. Precipitation is significantly higher in summer than in winter, though on the whole lower than most parts of Honshū, and there is no significant snowfall. As of September 2007, Kobe has an estimated population of 1,530,295.