KOBE, JAPAN INFORMATION PACKET
This packet is intended as a brief introduction to Japan and the city of Kobe. We
recommend that you do additional research on your own regarding Japan, as it
will make your stay more enjoyable.
KANSAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Kansai International Airport, which opened in 1994, was built to service the city
of Osaka and the surrounding Kansai area (home to approximately 20 million
people). It is located on a man-made island in Osaka harbor, and offers
convenient access to Osaka and Kobe, the two major cities in Kansai.
For more information on arrival and departure terminals at the Kansai
International
Airport,
please
visit
the
following
web
site:
http://www.kansai-airport.or.jp/index-e.html.
DIRECTIONS FROM KANSAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO KOBE
To get from the airport to Kobe, one will first need to either ride an express bus
from Kansai International Airport to Sannomiya in downtown Kobe or take an
express train and transfer at Shin-Osaka station, then transfer to a monorail to
reach site of the Pro Tour.
Bus
At the airport, follow the signs to the ground transportation center, where tickets
for the bus to Sannomiya can be purchased. The trip lasts approximately 70
minutes and costs ¥1,800. Staff at the ticket booth can assist with the ticket
purchase.
Upon arriving at Sannomiya station, follow the signs to the monorail (Port Island
line) ticket booths. Purchase a ticket to Shimin Hiroba-mae station for ¥240.
Shimin-Hiroba is the 5th stop on the monorail line, and closest to the Kobe
International Exhibition Hall, site of the Pro Tour.
Train
Persons arriving at Kansai International Airport should follow the signs to the rail
station and take the Haruka Express on JR Nishi-Nihon Kansai Kuukou Line to
Shin-Osaka station, transferring there to a JR Tokaido line express train. The trip
lasts approximately 90 minutes and costs ¥3,320. Staff at the ticket booth can
assist with the ticket purchase.
Upon arriving at Sannomiya station, follow the signs to the monorail (Port Island
line) ticket booths. Purchase a ticket to Simin-Hiroba station for ¥240. Shimin
Hiroba-mae is the 5th stop on the monorail line, and closest to the Kobe
International Exhibition Hall, site of the Pro Tour.
TOURNAMENT LOCATION
Pro Tour—Kobe will be held at the Kobe
International Exhibition Hall on Port
Island.
6-9-1 Minatojima Nakamachi
Chuuou-ku, Kobe-shi
TEL: 078-302-5200
CULTURAL INFORMATION
Hyogo Prefecture is situated in the western part of the Kinki region (midwestern
Japan) facing the Seto Inland Sea to the south and the Sea of Japan to the north.
The prefecture contains many scenic places like Seto
Inland Sea National Park, San-in Kaigan Coast National
Park, the Rokko Mountains and Awaji Island. It also has
numerous cultural heritage sites, the most famous of
which is the Himeji Castle, which is a designated World
Cultural Heritage site.
The Seto-naikai coastline enjoys sunny, moderate
weather and it has big cities such as Kobe, one of the
leading trading ports in Japan, the Kobe Port, and the
castle city Himeji, as well as the Mt. Rokko area, known
as a health resort. Kobe, the largest city in the prefecture
and the location of its administration, is an exotic port city. On Port Island, an
artificial land floating in the Kobe Port, is the International Convention Center.
Japanese Standard Time is measured by the meridian line at 135 degrees east
longitude, which runs through Akashi.
The coastline on the Japan Sea side that belongs to San'in Kaigan National Park
reveals complex and varied scenery. At the Tajimamiho-ura and Kasumi
beaches you can see formative arts of intricate coastlines, washed reefs, and
cave mouth created by the rough waves of the Japan Sea.
The Kobe Bay Area
The Bay Area is dotted with sightseeing spots and spots
for shopping, gourmet food and evening entertainment.
JR Kobe Station area is close to Kobe Port, the second
largest trading port in Japan. Nearby Kobe Harborland
has nice stores to enjoy shopping and gourmet food.
Nightspots and recreational facilities, such as amusement parks, attract people
day and night.
On the seaside of Harborland is "Mosaic" town, a very
unique place. A big Ferris wheel and carousel, Mosaic
Garden and restaurants, boutiques and movie theaters
form an almost mosaic-like effect in this commercial park
complex. An open air mall and square with a view of the sea make this park a
very popular area.
When the 80 zelkova trees on Kobe Gasu-to-dori (Gaslight) Street are decorated
with 80,000 lights, they a re like a fantasy world. The illumination has become a
symbolic winter scene of Kobe Harborland. Modern buildings line the waterfront
and visitors can enjoy the open atmosphere of this place.
Sannomiya Area
Sannomya is the biggest shopping quarter of Kobe, with easy transportation
access. Sannomiya is located on the west bank of Ikuta River. It is not only
popular as a place for shopping and dining, but also a very important
transportation hub for many train lines which come into Sannomiya: the JR
Tokaidou Honsen Line, the subway Yamanote Line, the Hanshin Honsen Line,
the Hankyuu-Kobe Honsen Line, and the Kobe Shin-koutsuu Port Island Line.
Underground shopping street with easy transportation access, San-chika Town
has over 130 shops, varying from boutique fashion goods to restaurants. The
open floor gives a bright atmosphere to this shopping area.
Flower Road is a 50-meter wide road that stretches southward from Sannomiya
Station. There is a Flower Clock, fountains and sculptures among the trees.
Higashi-yuuenchi Amusement Park used to be the exclusive playground for
foreigners and is the birthplace of modern sports in Japan.
The 550 meter long arcade between Flower Road and
Motomachi on the southwest of the station is called the
Sannomiya Center. Boutiques, stores selling imported
goods, bakeries, cake shops, big shopping buildings and
restaurants make Sannomiya Center one of the big
shopping areas representative of Kobe.
Sannomiya Shrine, from which the name "Sannomiya" is derived, is located in
the south of the Center.
Motomachi
Motomachi is a lively town perfect for shopping,
gourmet food and night spots in the center of Kobe.
Under Kobe Station is a maze of shopping streets and
above ground, a big shopping arcade. A unique event is
the Shunsetsu Festival at Nankin-machi, that celebrates
the Chinese New Year at the end of January or in early February. Nankin-machi
has many Asian shops and Asian restaurants.
On the sea-side of Motomachi is Kobe-kou Chuuou Tsutsumi, or the Central
Dike, on which many landmarks of Kobe are built, including Kobe Port Tower.
The Kobe Chinese Historical Museum exhibits the history of overseas Chinese
who had immigrated from the continent, and the exterior of the Kobe Maritime
Museum was inspired by an image of a sailboat and the sea. The Kobe Port
Tower, 108 meters high, has a revolving glass observation room, and on a clear
day, Kansai International Airport and Awaji Island may be seen. Many people
come here to enjoy wonderful night views of Kobe. A sightseeing cruise boat is
available that starts from the Chuuou-Tsutsumi Ryokaku Terminal at the Port
Tower.
Awaji Island
Located in southern Hyogo and in the east of the Seto Nai-kai (the Inland Sea),
Awaji is the largest island in the Inland Sea and the third largest in Japan. Facing
the Osaka Bay on the east and the Harima-nada on the west, the island is
sandwiched by the Akashi Strait on the north and the Naruto Strait to the
southwest. Its coastal area is a part of the Seto Naikai National Park.
Near Sumoto City in the eastern part of Awaji stands Mt. Mikuma, the site of the
Sumoto Castle built early in the 16th century, where some stone walls and the
keep that forms the castle's center remain. The castle tower commands a full
view of the city and the Osaka Bay. Also, Awaji boasts places worth a visit to
enjoy the natural scenery, like the Naruto Strait in which the tide regularly rises in
all sizes of whirlpools, some as fast as 10 knots, and many beaches including
the Goshiki (five color) Beach known for colorful pebbles made by the erosion of
waves.
The Akashi Kaikyou Oohashi (Akashi Strait Grand Bridge) is as the world's
longest suspension bridge: 3,910 meters long overall with two cable-braced
main towers spaced 1,990 meters apart. This bridge, which links Awaji with Kobe,
is nightly illuminated in seven changing colors to regale the eye of viewers.
Himeji Castle
Himeji Castle is located in Himeji City in western Hyogo. It was constructed in
the mid-14th century. After a three-layer castle tower was built by the order of the
daimyo Toyotomi Hideyoshi in the 16th century, Ikeda Terumasa, a feudal lord of
the castle rebuilt it further in the 17th century. Its figure was likened to a white
heron spreading its wings, and thus called the Shirasagi-jou, or White Heron
Castle. It was designated as a national treasure in 1931, and as a World Cultural
Heritage site in 1993.
The Tenshukaku, or castle tower, is the main structure
and has 5 stories visible from the outside, but actually
contains 6 stories inside and a basement. All structures
are covered with a white plaster unique to Japan. The
roofs are covered with kawara tiles and white plaster is
applied to the joints. The sturdy, magnificent structure
and elegant appearance, as well as its complex and
tactical defense devices, make the Himeji Castle the
most prominent castle in Japan.
The Castle hosts the Himeji Castle Cherry Blossom Viewing Fair, cherry
blossom viewing drum music performance and Princess Sen-hime Peony
Festival in spring, Hithe meji Port Festival in summer, a Moon Viewing Fair in
autumn, and the Himeji All Japan Ceramics Market in winter. Visitors never
cease throughout the year. In the surrounding areas, there is a Japanese garden,
the Otokoyama Sen-hime Tenmangu Shrine and the Hyogo Historical Museum.
CLIMATE
Japan lies in the Temperate Zone and the climate is generally mild, although
winter in the north and western Japan (near the Japan Sea) can experience very
heavy snowfall. There are four distinct seasons and also a rainy season (June)
and a typhoon season in early autumn (September). The average rainfall is quite
high.
Spring and autumn are the best seasons of the year with balmy days and bright
sunshine. The average temperature in Kobe during October is around 18°
Celsius (65° Fahrenheit), generally ranging from 15.5° (60°) – 21° (70°), with an
average of 13 rainy days.
CURRENCY/BANKS/ATMS
The unit of Japanese currency is the yen (indicated by ¥). Coin denominations
are 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 and 500 yen. There are four denominations of paper
money: 1000 yen, 2000 yen (rarely seen), 5000 yen, and 10000 yen.
Current exchange rates can be found at http://www.xe.net/ucc/. As of this writing
(September 2006), the yen is hovering around 115-116 yen to the dollar.
Money can be changed at major banks, exchange booths at airports and major
hotels. The exchange of money is a regulated business, thus the rates are
almost identical everywhere. Banks are open from 9:00 to 15:00 on weekdays.
They are closed on Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays.
Credit cards are not widely used. Many shops accept major credit cards,
although some do not. Please inquire before making your purchase. Traveler’s
checks are accepted only by leading banks, and major hotels, and the use of
traveler’s checks in Japan is not as popular as in some other countries.
POST OFFICE
Most neighborhood post offices (indicated by the symbol
) are open Monday
through Friday from 9:00 to 17:00. However, some larger post offices are also
open on Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays. The weight and the country
of destination determine postage fees. It costs 70 yen to send a post card
destined to any country in the world.
SHOPPING
Japan is a shopper's paradise, and not just for electronic gadgets. Of course
Japan's watches, cameras, and other optical goods have the highest reputation
for quality. But you may prefer a more low-tech, human touch. For example, you
can find in Japan the sheerest of silks, the highest quality pearls, fine ceramics,
world famous lacquer ware, colorful and historic wood block prints, and hand
crafted bamboo ware. The bargain seasons are usually in July and December.
WATER
Tap water in Japan is treated by the city and is safe for drinking. However, if your
stomach were sensitive, mineral water would be recommended.
ELECTRICITY
In Kobe, the current is 50 hertz and 100 volts. Please be careful in using
electrical appliances brought from overseas which may not meet Japanese
requirements.
PUBLIC PHONES
Public telephones can be found throughout the city. There are several types of
different colors, which are different in their usage. They take coins and/or
telephone cards.
Gray Public telephones are equipped with ISDN modular jacks and can be
connected to both analogue and digital modems. In recent years, telephone
booths located in the center of the city usually contain ISDN phones.
International Calls
International calls can be made through any private telephone or a pay phone
with an international mark. For international pay-phone calls, use telephone
cards or 100 yen coins (phones with credit card marks can be found in the city
center). Calls made using the KDD Super World Card (available in 1,000 yen,
3,000 yen and 5,000 yen units), which can be purchased at most convenience
stores, are slightly discounted.
International call access numbers are 001 for KDD, 0061 for IDC, and 0041 for
ITJ. For more information, call the following toll-free numbers: KDD: 0057, IDC:
0120-03-0061, ITJ: 0120-44-0041.
Most hotel rooms are equipped with analogue telephone lines. Direct
international telephone calls are usually possible. Network access is possible
from many locations; however, modular jacks are not always provided.
Telephone Cards
To make local and domestic long distance calls, it is recommended to use
telephone cards. These cards are usually available at vending machines
installed beside public telephones, at kiosks, department stores, and
convenience stores. Two different cards are available: a 500 yen card having 50
call units, and a 1,000 yen card having 105 call units. The rate at which a public
telephone consumes the call units depends on the distance of your call. There is
no refund for unused call units when you leave Japan.
Emergency Calls
To contact the police, dial "110," For an ambulance, dial "119." These numbers
are valid anywhere in Japan. Some public telephones have a special red button
for making emergency calls without having to insert coin slot.
GETTING AROUND KOBE
Japan's public transportation system is one of the most developed and efficient
in the world. Most major cities, including Kobe, are home to numerous rail
companies and subways. English maps of the train system are available at any
station. Tickets are available for purchase from automated vending machines
found at train stations.
Taxis are also convenient for intra-city transportation. To flag down a taxi, look for
a red light in the lower right corner of the windshield as you face it. Any other
color means the taxi is reserved or occupied. Passengers enter the back door on
the left side, which the driver opens and closes automatically. If you are visiting
someone's home or company, be sure to have its location on a map, as an
address is not enough, given the complicated street layouts in the big cities.
Tipping is not practiced. Pay only the metered fare.
TIME ZONES
Japan operates on a single time zone: GMT+0900. There is a 17-hour time
difference with Seattle during Daylight Savings Time, meaning that if it is 12:00
noon on Wednesday in Seattle, it is 04:00 Thursday in Japan.
PRESCRIPTIONS/MEDICAL SERVICES
There are some hospitals and medical clinics where you can have a consultation
in English. Japan Help Line also provides 24-hour counseling in English; call toll
free 0120-46-1997.
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Units of measure: metric. Meters and kilometers are used to measure distances;
liters used to measure quantity; and grams and kilograms used for weight.
BUSINESS HOURS
Most museums are open on Sundays and national holidays and closed on
Mondays. Restaurants close early at night. The last order accepted is often
around 9:00 p. m.
Weekdays
Saturdays
Sundays & Holidays
Banks
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Closed
Closed
Post Office*
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Closed
Closed
Department Stores** 10 a.m. - 7 or 8 p.m. 10 a.m. - 7 or 8 p.m. 10 a.m. - 7 or 8 p.m.
Stores
10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Restaurants
Lunch and dinner times 7 days a week
10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Private Companies 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
9 a.m. - 12 noon*** Closed
Gov't Offices
Closed
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Closed
TIPPING
Tipping is not a common practice in Japan. A 10 to 15% service charge will be
added to your bill in some hotels and restaurants. For the most part, however, no
gratuity is required.
LANGUAGE
The official language is Japanese. English is a mandatory subject of study in
high schools and most junior high schools. Although the majority of Japanese
cannot speak English or understand spoken English, they can read and write it
to some degree.
BOWING
The Japanese way of greeting is bowing. The way one bows depends on the
social status of the person he or she is greeting. If this other person has a higher
status, one should bow lower and longer. The formal way of bowing is slightly
different for women and men. If the greeting takes place on a tatami floor, the
people go down on their knees in order to bow. In Japan, bowing has other
functions besides greeting. When thanking or apologizing it is also common to
bow. Shaking hands, on the other hand, is not popular among the Japanese;
however, they often do so when greeting a foreigner.
SUPERSTITIONS
In Japan there are certain things one does not do because they are thought to
cause bad luck. A few examples are:

The number four:
The number four is considered inauspicious because it is pronounced the
same as the word for death (shi). Therefore, one should not make
presents that consist of four pieces, etc. In some hotels and hospitals
there is no fourth floor or room numbered "4".

Stick chopsticks into the rice:
Do not stick your chopsticks into your food generally, but especially not
into rice, because at funerals, chopsticks are stuck into rice which is put
onto the altar.

Give food from chopstick to chopstick:
This is taboo because the bones of cremated bodies are passed between
relatives at funerals this way.

Whistle in the night:
If you whistle in the night, a snake will come to you.
In many shrines, temples and souvenir shops, amulets are sold that are
supposed to bring luck, safety or good fortune. There are amulets for money,
health, love, success on exams, safety on the streets, etc. Small pieces of paper
(omikuji) that predict your future are also available. These pieces of paper are
tied around the branch of a tree after reading; either to make the good fortune
come true or to avoid the predicted bad fortune.
FOOD
In Japan, you start eating after saying "Itadakimasu" (I will receive) and finish
with "Gochiso-sama deshita" (Thank you for the feast).
When eating noodles or soups, it is Japanese style to slurp. However, it is
considered bad manner to burp. Blowing your nose in public, and especially at
the table, is also considered very rude.
When drinking beer or sake, it is good manner to pour the alcohol into each
other's cups, i.e. one does not pour it into his or her own glass. You should
always check if your friends' cups are getting empty, and then give them more. If
someone wants to give you more to drink, you should hold your glass towards
that person.
How to eat ...
... Rice:
Take the rice bowl into one hand and the chopsticks into the other. Do not pour
soy sauce over white, cooked rice.
... Noodles:
Lead them with the chopsticks step by step into your mouth. Keep the distance
between the bowl and your mouth small, and do not hesitate to slurp.
... Soup:
Drink the soup out of the bowl as if it were a cup and fish out the solid stuff with
your chopsticks. That is also true for eating noodle soups (e.g. Udon, Ramen).
Sometimes a ceramic spoon will be provided for eating soups.
... Sushi (Nigiri, Maki):
Pour some shouyu (soy sauce) into a special little plate. The correct way of
dipping nigiri sushi is to dip it upside-down with the fish part into the sauce. A few
kinds of nigiri sushi should be eaten without shouyu. In general, you eat a sushi
piece in one bite. Hands or chopsticks can be used to eat sushi.
... Sashimi:
Pour some shouyu into a special little plate. Add wasabi into the shouyu and mix
it. Use the sauce for dipping the sashimi pieces. Some types of sashimi are
eaten with ground ginger instead of wasabi.
... Big pieces of food:
(e.g. tempura prawn, futo maki, tofu) Generally, you either separate the piece
with your chopsticks, or you just bite a piece off and put the rest back onto your
plate.
RESTAURANTS
The following is a description of a visit in an average Japanese restaurant, for
example, in one that you can find on the restaurant floors of department stores:
A Japanese restaurant usually presents its dishes with the prices in a window
just in front of the entrance. The presented dishes are made of wax and look
very similar to the real ones.
When you enter the restaurant, the staff will welcome you with the word
"Irasshaimase" as it is usual in any Japanese store. The waitresses and waiters
are trained for efficiency, politeness, and attentiveness.
After sitting down, green tea or water will be served for free and later refilled.
You also get a wet towel (o-shibori) to clean your hands.
In some Japanese restaurants you may eat sitting on tatami mats. In such
restaurants you must also take off your shoes before stepping onto the tatami
floor.
If chopsticks are not already put on the table, you can find them in a box. Often
they are wooden chopsticks that must be separated into two chopsticks before
usage.
The bill will be given you upside-down right after you get the meal. You will pay
at the exit when you leave. Do not give a tip. Tipping is not done in Japan. In
some restaurants, you may have to pay first at the entrance and get a coupon,
which you then exchange, for the meal inside.
USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS
Note: Most organizations have English-speaking personnel.
* Indicates Japanese-speaking personnel only.
Emergency
Police
Urgent 110
Lost and Found * (03)3814-4151
General Information (03)3501-0110
Fire / Ambulance 119
Hospital Information (03)3212-2323
The Japan Help line (0120)461-997
Toll-free, 24 hour, 7 days a week service.
Communications
Telegrams
Domestic 115
Overseas (03)3344-5151
Calls to the Bullet Train 107
Tourist Information
Tourist Information Centers
Kanto 03-3201-3331
Transportation Information
Flight Information
Kansai (0724)55-2500
JR East Info line (03)3423-0111
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS/CUSTOMS
A passport and an onward/return ticket are required. For information about the
Japanese visa requirements, travelers should consult the consular section of the
Embassy of Japan at 2520 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20008, tel: (202) 939-6700, or the nearest Japanese consulate. In the United
States, there are Japanese consulates in the following cities: Agana (Guam),
Anchorage, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Honolulu, Houston, Kansas City,
Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Portland (Oregon), Saipan
(Northern Marianas), San Francisco, and Seattle. Additional information is
available via the Internet on the Embassy of Japan home page at
www.embjapan.org/
U.S. citizens transiting Japan should take care to ensure that their passports and
visas are up to date before leaving the U.S. Many Asian countries deny entry to
travelers whose passports are valid for less than six months. Make sure you
have a signed, valid passport (and visas, if required). Also, before you go, fill in
the emergency information page of your passport!
Familiarize yourself with local laws and customs of the countries to which you
are traveling. Remember, the U.S. Constitution does not follow you! While in a
foreign country, you are subject to its laws.
Make 2 copies of your passport identification page. This will facilitate
replacement if your passport is lost or stolen. Leave one copy at home with
friends or relatives. Carry the other with you in a separate place from your
passport.
Leave a copy of your itinerary with family or friends at home so that you can be
contacted in case of an emergency.
Do not leave your luggage unattended in public areas. Do not accept packages
from strangers.
If you plan to stay abroad for more than two weeks, upon arrival you should
notify by phone or register in person with the U.S. embassy in the country you
are visiting. This will facilitate communication in case someone contacts the
embassy looking for you.
To avoid being a target of crime, try not to wear conspicuous clothing and
expensive jewelry and do not carry excessive amounts of money or unnecessary
credit cards.
In order to avoid violating local laws, deal only with authorized agents when you
exchange money or purchase art or antiques.
If you get into trouble, contact the nearest U.S. embassy.