second chances in one lifetime

[26-30 nov 2007] I thought Japan would be cold and alienating like how it was portrayed in 'Lost In Translation' -- I was so wrong! I loved Kobe, and everything about it -- thanks to the warmth of the Japanese and my fellow turistas from the office!

I loved... the Japanese -- everyone's so warm yet polite, weird but funny Japanese stuff (toilets with flushing sounds, stuffed toy siomais, stress boobs, and cup noodle basketball), Kobe beef and this unidentified drink that I thought was strawberry milk, 100-yen stores, and autumn leaves (first time I've seen autumn)! I just had to try the haunted house ride at the Mosaic Garden, just to see if Japanese haunted houses were as scary as Japanese horror movies. ;)

I brought home... a Japanese tile painting I found at a cart in Mosaic, rice cakes with seaweed, boxes of mochi, and tons of stuff from the 100-yen store!

I stayed at... Hotel Okura Kobe in Meriken Park. The 80s-style decor feels a bit outdated, but it's still a grand hotel. It's a bit of a walk (or a shuttle ride) to the city center and Sannomiya station, but is a good location nevertheless, with a fabulous view of Meriken Park, the Harbourfront, and the mountains.