KOBE

Some people wait all week for Friday, all year for Summer and all life for Happiness, what if there is no tomorrow?

Kobe exploded onto world’s headlines with the suddenness of the earthquake that ravaged the city on 17 January 1995, claiming  a final death toll of over 6000. Since then, Kobe Luminarie, a light festival is held in Kobe, Japan, every December since 1995 to commemorate the Great Hanshin earthquake of that year.
 

 It is an art of light.

If you visit Kobe during Christmas season, Luminarie is a must to see!

The path itself is somewhat long but it can take 30 minutes or even longer to reach the first illumination due to the hordes of people, many of which walk at a slower pace than necessary.

 Beautiful illuminations with millions of lights displayed in the centre of the city.

This sea port city came into its own after American pressure forced Japan to open up to foreign trade in 1868. There has been a local community of foreigner especially the Ijinkan (foreign residences) area near Kitano.

Let's jazz the night away.

Savouring fresh sushi over the sushi bar in Kobe. Never forget to note that Kobe beef is famed worldwide for its distinctive, strong flavour.

The illuminations run from December 1 to 12. In the past they went until Christmas, but in order to conserve energy and cut costs it is now less than two weeks long.