Wow. Looks like i will be travelling to Kobe!
 

Hey everyone,

I live in London, 17 years old and am taking a gap year before i go off to university. As a result, i have managed to hook up a GREAT deal with my school. I will be going to Kobe,Japan from September 08-May 09. It will be a homestay, where there will be a guy my age who i will travel to the Konan Boys High school with (where i will learn Japanese language) and in the afternoons i will going to Konan University, where i will take part in other activities such as calligraphy etc.

I think this should be an incredible experience. The whole trip is only costing me £1000 which is astoundingly cheap compared to other external schemes. For example, one company tried to charge me £6000 for 5 months in Tokyo to learn Japanese which didnt even include a homestay.

All food and accomodation will be paid for by my school, so the only thing i am paying for are the university tuition fees and flight.

Has anyone here ever been to Kobe? What is it like? Anyone have any tips for me while i am out there? Any places i should definitely check out? Konan university organise trips to Hiroshima and Kyoto.

Thanks. I just wanted to let everyone know of my plans!

Sounds great! I visited Kobe for a few days, as the JET Renewer's Conference was held there. Nice city. It's mostly laid out in a narrow strip between the sea and the mountains. They had a branch of the Old Spaghetti Factory there, easily the best Italian food I had during my 2 years in Japan (besides what I made myself at home :) )

You'll be in the Kansai area, close to Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Wakayama, etc, so take advantage of the location and see sights on the weekends. There are several threads about what to see in the area on these forums. How long will you be there?

I lived just outside of Kobe for 3 years, and it is one of my favorite cities in the world. There's lots to do, shopping and food are great...it is a very cosmopolitan city with an interesting history. Lucky you!

i love the city, its calmer compared to osaka..

Pictures of Kobe
 

I have been there many times. In fact, my cousins are residents. A close friend of mine is also working there.:vsign:

Konan University is here.

You can take a look at pictures of Kobe at SkyscraperCity. Aerial views of the city are here at Rokkomichi.com.

Life science, health care, supercomputing, and fashion are hot industries in Kobe.

Akashi Kaikyo Bridge
 

Meriken Park
 

Downtown
 

Luminarie
 

Kitano Ijinkan