Nippon Journey - Kobe NightLights

The next leg of our journey was Kobe, we actually stayed in Kobe but commuted to the various places in the Kansai area. Kobe has a slight western flair about it, It is also Brisbane's sister city. Kobe is also a major producer of sake, coincidentally there was a factory behind where we stayed.

The entries to most breweries here are free, and we could sample almost all the sake at this brewery called "Hamafukutsuru" . This man there is one of the brewers, and the bottle beside him is his own recipe. He speaks of his sake like he speaks of his children, with great pride.

Location : 658-0025 Uozakiminami cho 4-4-6, Higashinada-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture

A place which is a must when in Kobe is the Port area, I some how stumbled upon a flock of seagulls standing in a row by the port, the camera quickly came out and SNAP! This is one of my favorite shots of the trip .

We were quite lucky to catch a glimpse of The Kobe Luminarie which is a light festival held in Kobe between mid December till Christmas. The Light festival is to commemorate the Great Hanshin Earthquake which happen back in 1995.

Walking by the port area, we stumbled by a small stall selling snacks and also steamed buns and other small condiments. The smell and aromas coming out from here was quite intense which lead me to get all the three types of buns sold. The best one there for me was the Butakakuni Man i.e Stewed Pork Bun) the juices and melt in your mouth meat was just delightful.

One of Yoshi's friends brought us to a Prison themed restaurant called "The Lockup". The restaurant's policy is that when you come in you would be arrested in Hand cuffs and brought to your prison cell. The Lockup offers a wide variety of cocktails/mocktails which is served in laboratory equipment, the even had one which was called the bomb making kit. The food was not too special but the you come for the experience.

Location : Tokyu Kids Plaza Boomin Kitano B1 1-7-9 Yamamoto Dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe-shi, Hyogo 650-0003

Taste : moderate

Atmosphere : Never had so much fun in a prison

Have you been to any interesting restaurants like this?