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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.
Himeji Castle
Himeji Castle is one of the two best castles in the
Kansai area. It's worth visiting even if you have already been to Osaka Castle.
To get to Himeji Castle take the JR line to Himeji and look for the castle. It will
be obvious. It takes about 10 minutes to walk to the castle from the station.
The entrance fee for the castle is 500 yen. It opens at 9am and closes at 4pm.
It's closed from December 29-31. For more information, call 0792-85-1146.
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.
Copyright © 1998 - 2000 by Mark McCracken, All Rights Reserved