Relocating to Kobe?
Destination Guide for Kobe, Japan, including a brief overview of Kobe-city with some pictures and information about expat-related facilities.
We hope this information will be a valuable resource to expats coming to or currently residing in Kobe, as well as the HR department of foreign companies.
Kobe Destination Guide
Here is some useful information for expats moving to Kobe, including information about schools, housing, hospitals, communities, and more.
Since the opening of Kobe Port in 1868, soon after the end of the isolation period of Japan, Kobe has prospered as a port town like Yokohama. Placing the residential area for foreigners near the port and accepting various foreign cultures, Kobe has grown as an international port city now having about 42000 foreign residents from about 123 different countries and a well-established environment where foreigners find it easy to live.
Kobe has a prosperous housing environment as well as a sufficient functioning city. Kobe has many attractive attributes such as larger housing spaces, reasonable prices, fewer traffic jams, less crowded trains, shorter commuting time, and well-maintained public safety. There are various foreign communities in the city such as social and athletic clubs, and religious facilities, which are well-established having old histories. Most foreign expats live in the tower apartments in and around Chuo-ku, where many of these foreign communities gather.
As for children’s education, there are 8 international schools in the city including; Canadian Academy, St. Michael's International School, and German School Kobe, where students study hard in a relaxed environment. There are about 200 medical facilities that offer services in foreign languages. The City of Kobe’s plan for attracting foreign companies and various support programs are well-established and the life support services for the foreign expats are well developed.
The stylish cityscape in the city is well-known. You can enjoy walking around the city to find many famous brand boutiques lined around Sannomiya and Motomachi area. You can experience the latest trendy fashions in the Bay area. There are many delicious restaurants sharing the flavors of various countries in many places around the city, including Nankinmachi. You can also enjoy Kobe’s famous night views from many recommended spots in the city. The natural environments around the city are rich and luscious. There is the Seto Inland Sea in the south, and the mountains of Rokko in the north, where you can enjoy seasonal leisure activities such as mountain climbing and skiing at the Mt. Rokko, or walking and sea bathing in Suma and Maiko. You can also enjoy traditional Japanese culture by visiting Shinto shrines, Buddhist temples, and hot springs dotted within and around the city.
Useful Links for Expats in Kobe
- Kobe City Website
- The official homepage of Kobe City
- JETRO Invest Japan Business Center
- Jetro IBSC supports foreign companies to enter the Japanese market.
- English Speaking Dentists in Kobe
- Here is a list of practitioners who provide dental care with English speaking staff or dentists who are frequently visited by foreign residents.
- Climate & Weather in Kobe
- For foreign expats moving to Kobe from overseas countries as well as ones moving to Kobe from other areas in Japan, we here provide the guidance on Kobe weather.
- English-speaking Hair-Salons in Kobe
- There are many hair salons in Kobe and they offer the same extensive collection of services as salons in most other countries.
- English Maps of Kobe
- Maps of Kobe - English-written or Recommended maps for foreigners
- Guidance on garbage collection in Kobe
- Here we inform you, how to dispose trash, how to get rid of over-sized garbage, and how to dispose or sell furniture and home appliances when leaving Japan for foreigners residing in Kobe-city.
- Nail Salons in Kobe
- In Kobe there are some English-speaking nail salons and ones that foreigners frequently visit. We recommend you experience and enjoy Japanese nail art during your stay in Kobe.
- Arima Onsen
- Did you know that Japan’s oldest hot spring is located in Kobe City? Arima Onsen, known as one of the three famous oldest hot springs in Japan, is located in the mountain side area of Kobe City’s Kita-ku.
- Visiting Sake Breweries in Nada Gogo
- Nada-Goro (Five villages of Nada,) called “Japan’s Best Sake Brewing Area,” is located along the coastal area in Kobe City and Nishinomiya City.
- Rental Apartments & Houses in Kobe
- MAEDA REAL ESTATE's selection of rental apartment and houses in the wide range of areas in Kobe city, Nishinomiya city and Ashiya city where are chosen by most of Expats & Diplomats.
- Serviced Apartments in Kobe
- MAEDA REAL ESTATE's selection of serviced apartments are available for short-term stays, fully furnished, and include amenities such as concierge service, 24 hour security and more.
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