Landing in Kobe

Although there has been a settlement here since about 300 A.D., Kobe was not significant until about 150 years ago. What made it so important?

It was one of the first Japanese ports to open to the outside world after American Commodore Matthew Perry demanded in 1853 that the Japanese open their ports. The area around the Kobe port is called Meriken, which comes from the word American.

Rice is grown near here so this is a major area for sake production. It is different from that rice wine made in Kyoto. There the water is soft, and it makes the sake sweeter. The water here in Kobe has more minerals in it and so that sake is very dry.

As we sailed in, Gil Dickson and I stood out on the veranda, looking at a Mitsubishi plant, which was a submarine factory in World War II. As we reached the inner Harbor, we saw the curved lines of the Oriental Hotel. From across the port, the curved lines of the Eclipse appear to be a shadow of the outline of the hotel.

This area is not only an industrial center of Japan, but the agricultural area outside the city is also the home of Kobe beef. The cattle destined for the table are fed a special diet of grain. To increase their appetite they are also fed gallons of beer. The cows regularly have their tummies massaged, and are sometimes treated to classical music as they eat. The result is a steak with unusually consistent marbling, extraordinary tenderness, and a delicious flavor.🥩Read more