The Meriken Wharf, where the modern port first developed, is south of these two districts. Years ago, the foreign ships unloaded their cargo there, but they later tied up at larger wharves nearby, to the east and west. Today, the area is called Meriken Park, and the boats docking here are for local pleasure cruises only. The park's Kobe Port Tower rises 108 meters, and is the symbol of the port. From the tower's observation deck, you can get a good view of the city and, far off, the city of Osaka and the island of Shikoku across the water.

Kobe's largest shopping district, called Sannomiya Center Street, lies north of the port between Sannomiya and Motomachi Stations (JR). The arcade stretches for about 550 meters and is a popular spot for shoppers. The neighborhood is also known for its many bakeries selling Western-style confectionaries. When the port opened to foreign traders, they brought Western baking techniques with them, and since then a number of expert bakers have set up shop here. Competition and the search for better techniques have given Kobe a reputation for delicious Western-style baked goods. The people here have discerning tastes, and they keep coming for more.

Disaster struck Kobe at 5:46 a.m. on January 17, 1995. An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.2 shook buildings to the ground, collapsed expressways and twisted railway tracks into wavy lines. More than 6,400 people died, and residents of almost 450,000 households were suddenly without a place to live.

But the people of Kobe quickly got back on their feet again, and began rebuilding. Relief supplies and rescuers from different parts of Japan and overseas were already on the scene. One volunteer relief worker who experienced the horror of the earthquake, but gained an appreciation of the importance of human solidarity, is Horiuchi Masami. He and some other volunteers started the "Letters of Thanks from Kobe" movement in 2000.

"After people in Kobe recovered their spirits, I thought it would be great to write to those who had helped us after the earthquake, to thank them, invite them to our city, and strengthen the ties that had been formed."

City residents have sent more than 10 million letters of thanks to date, and are offering relief supplies and donations to people caught up in disasters in other parts of the world.

Seven years have passed since the earthquake, and this year Kobe will host some soccer matches for the 2002 World Cup. The people here have regained their optimism, and their city is beautiful once more.