Exchange Zones

Property

~60 square meter apartment with a small western style bedroom with a king size bed, a tatami room with Japanese style bedsofa and a table, dining room/hall with an open kitchen, bathroom with shower and bathtub, balcony and a separate toilet. No smoking, some recycling required by the city.

Strengths of the apartment are that it's spacious for Japanese standards, bright, clean, harmonious and recently renovated from inside. You can try a kotatsu, Japanese style of warming up under a heated table.

Weakness is the lack of: central heating, toaster, dishwasher, luxury furniture, TV and big fridge. Winter is cold and summer hot, but not totally unbearable with fan or heavy blankets.

House is a 7 floor flat around 15 min from the center of Kobe by a monorail, 40 min to Osaka and 1,5 hours to Kyoto. 5 minute walk to the nearest monorail station. There are two grocery stores nearby.

Attractions

Within 10 minutes there are a indoor flower and bird garden, Ikea, swimming hall, concert stadium and a coast boulevard with a brilliant night view of Kobe.

Kobe is a medium-sized Japanese harbor city with European and Chinese influences. Mountains rise to the North and sea expands to the South making the city in between compact.

Day trips by local trains are possible to Himeji castle, Arima onsen, Osaka metropolis, romantic Kyoto, mysterious Koya mountain, world's longest suspension bridge, unique Takarazuka revue and cute town of Nara.

Night view in Kobe is among the top 5 in Japan from the mountain of Rokko. Other attractions include for example sake breweries with free tastings, zoo with a panda and an aquarium. There are memorials for the big earthquake in 90's and a good possibility to learn from earthquakes or rebuilding in the museums.

You can hike, relax in an hot spring water, rent fishing gear within 15 minutes, visit Japanese temples and shrines or walk in gardens. Of course there are good shopping and dining possibilities too with Japanese, international and Kansai cuisine. If you are not vegetarian, you must try real Kobe beef.