Mt. Rokko
Tired of city life? Visiting Mt. Rokko gives you a chance to experience country living without traveling far from Osaka or Kobe. In the summer, people go to Mt. Rokko to enjoy its cool breezes, and romantic evening views of the city lights below. You can also see horses and cows and stuff. Most people drive to the top. It usually takes about 45 minutes from Kobe, but if you drive on a Sunday, in the middle of summer, be prepared to spend several hours in yourcar trying to get up the hill. You can also get to the top by cable car. Take the Hankyu lineto Rokko, and take a taxi or city bus to the Rokko Cable station.
Harborland
Harborland is a big shopping area in Kobe. If you are going to stay in Kansai for over a week, you mightvisit Harborland, but don't bother if you are just in town for a few days. You can see a nice ocean view of Kobe (left) To get there take the JR line and get off at the Kobe station. Follow the signs.
Takarazuka Review Some people are nuts about The Takarazuka Revue. They know all the women in the cast, collect their pictures like they were baseball trading cards. Me? I don't get it. None the less, for over 80 years this all-woman cast has been doing dramas, dance and musicals. Tickets run between3500 and 7500 yen. The theater is a 5 minute walk from the Hankyu Takarazuka Station on the Hankyu Takarazuka line. Reservations can be made up to one month before the show. Call the ticket office, in Japanese, at 0797-86-7777.