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Tadao Ando’s Kobe Phase

| March 14, 2017

Tadao Ando, a native of Osaka, is without doubt Japan’s most renowned architect. Largely self-taught, Ando was influenced by such celebrated architects as Frank Lloyd Wright, Le Corbusier, and Louis Kahn. He was the 1995 recipient of the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize. Ando’s masterpieces ranged from apartment complexes to places of worship, public museums and commercial shopping centers. Although Ando-designed buildings can be found in many countries throughout the world (Spain, Germany, Italy, Taiwan, Nepal, and the U.S., to name a few), Kobe and surrounding areas are blessed with many Ando masterpieces, particularly from Ando’s early years as an architect. His architectural tours de force speak of the spirit of …

Kobe’s Earthquake Museum-A Unique Must-See

| February 2, 2017

Kobe’s unique Earthquake Memorial Museum, which is part of the Disaster Reduction and Human Renovation Institution opened in 2002, gives you a unique opportunity to experience what an earthquake feels like and how terrible the aftermath can be. The museum includes: A large-screen theater with a multi-media documentary of realistic images of the 1995 Kobe earthquake and recovery efforts Interactive games about disaster prevention Realistic reproductions of the city and surrounding areas after the quake. Visitors to the museum can absorb vital information about disaster-prevention—definitely worthwhile for anyone living in Japan, one of most earthquake-prone countries in the world! The exhibits are extremely child-friendly and the bi-lingual staff is very …

Shake, Rattle and Roll—Earthquake Preparedness

| February 2, 2017

This month marks the 21st anniversary of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake, in which 7,400 people died, prompting a nation-wide reassessment of building regulations. Since Japan is one of the world’s most seismically active countries, minor tremors can be felt an almost daily occurrence somewhere in Japan. Even more recently, Japan experienced significant earthquakes in Kumamoto in 2016 and in Fukushima in 2011. On the up side, the Great Hanshin earthquake was a wake-up call for Japan’s national preparedness authorities, and ever since Japan has been on a mission to improve building codes, earthquake preparedness, and disaster reduction. Structural Safety-Stringent Building Codes As a general rule, residential and commercial construction …

Dear Rica, Should I purchase earthquake insurance?

| February 2, 2017

Get Answers about Owning, Renting and Living in Greater Kobe. Please submit your comments to core8eight@gmail.com. Dear Rica, We want to buy a house in or near Kobe. But after all the devastation we have seen on TV after the Kumamoto earthquake last year, we realized we needed to learn a lot more about earthquake insurance in Japan. We do not even know if it exists or not or how much it costs. Mary B. Dear Mary, That is definitely a good question! In Japan, earthquake insurance is generally an optional insurance to fire insurance. This means that you need to get fire insurance first. This is true for homeowners and …

Megamiyama (目神山)—Hyogo’s Hidden Gem

| December 4, 2016

Megamiyama (目神山), Nishinomiya’s hidden gem, is an idyllic location for those who want it all—the excitement of city life and the tranquility of country life. Megamiyama is a stone’s throw away from the expansive greenery and hiking trails of Mt. Kabuto Shinrin Park. Yet it is only a 30-minute commute to Takarazuka, Umeda, and Sannomiya. The area is served by the Hankyu train line. The nearby upscale neighborhoods of Koyoen and Nishinomiya Kitaguchi, which ranked as the best neighborhood in the Kansai in SUUMO’s 2016 survey, offer shopping convenience and a variety of trendy eateries. Bargain land prices have made Megamiyama a mecca for those interested in building their dream …

Dear Rica, How do I budget for out-of-pocket expenses?

| December 4, 2016

Get Answers about Owning, Renting and Living in Greater Kobe. Please submit your comments to core8eight@gmail.com. Dear Rica: We want to rent an apartment around Kobe, but are concerned about how much money we need to budget for. Can you give us the scoop on this? Confused in Kansai Dear Confused, Your confusion is very understandable. A tenant’s initial out-of-pocket expenses can add up pretty quickly. Below is a short list of fees that a tenant may need to pay before moving in. However, they can vary based on the location and type of apartment, so be sure to check with the landlord or real estate agent. First month’s rent—You will …

Talking to the Landlord about Repairs: Basic Japanese

| December 4, 2016

Scenario: You recently moved into the apartment of your dreams—but suddenly you can get no hot water in the Japanese bath and you have no clue how to program the timer on your A/C. Even worse, you speak no Japanese and your landlord (or the concierge) can manage a perky “HARO” at most. Below is some Japanese vocabulary to help you talk to your landlord (or the concierge or management company). Tips: Write the English meaning of buttons oe machines on post-its and affix them to the machines for easy reference. Remember to give your landlord or concierge a small gift for the New Year. Basic Vocabulary air conditioner   エアコン …

Customized Hinoki-buro—Preserving Japanese Craftsmanship

| November 7, 2016

Since the black ships first arrived in Japan, foreigners have been fascinated with the elegance and sensuality of Japan’s bathing rituals in what was otherwise an austere country with ascetic practices. Nothing exemplifies this better than bathing in a hinoki-buro, a wooden bathtub made of Japanese cypress. The passion of Italian (and Japan-licensed) architect Iacopo Torrini for spreading the gospel about hinoki-buro and preserving the integrity of Japanese craftsmanship has coincided with a boom in the West for health-related products and in Japan for restoring traditional Japanese structures such as kominka and machiya. Below is a summary of our interview with Iacopo. Preserving Architectural Heritage Soon after arriving in Japan …

Dear Rica, I’ve been told I need a guarantor to rent an apartment…

| November 6, 2016

Get Answers about Owning, Renting and Living in Greater Kobe. Please submit your comments to core8eight@gmail.com. Dear Rica, I plan to rent an apartment in Japan, but was told that I need a guarantor even though I have a job. What kind of person should I ask to be my guarantor? What happens if I cannot find a guarantor? Clueless Dear Clueless, Unfortunately, guarantors are required in most cases. This is a person or company that acts as the insurance for your rental contract, promising to cover any rent or damage costs if you can’t pay or suddenly terminate your lease. Your safest bet is your Japanese employer or a Japanese …

And All That Jazz! Kobe’s best jazz clubs

| November 6, 2016

Kobe has long enjoyed a vibrant, cultural heritage which has attracted foreign tourists and long-term expats alike since Kobe first opened its port. In particular, Kobe has long been known as a jazz mecca. In fact, the first Japanese jazz band was formed in Kobe in 1923! And Louis Armstrong, the king of jazz, visited Kobe twice with his orchestra. Kobe continues to claim fame for jazz through the annual Kobe Jazz Festival, held each fall. However, for those of you who missed out on Kobe’s jazz festival this year, consider checking out some of Kobe’s famous live jazz hot spots below: ♫ Sone The granddaddy of Kobe’s live jazz …