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The Southern Trip
We had been looking forward to this Family Trip for a long time. It got the "Southern Trip" name when initially thinking of Japan as a North-South (top to bottom) country, which it is.

Our trip, from the Tokyo/Yokohama area to Hiroshima, could have actually been more accurately described as an East-West (right to left) type trip, but it wasn't.

Anyway, our Southern Trip started out early on Thursday. We donned our backpacks, boarded the train at Jimmuji (KK-52), and headed to Yokohama. There, we would transfer into the Shin-Yokohama Station, and take our first. long awaited, ride on a "Bullet Train."

We are heading to Kobe, in the first leg of our 5 night Southern Trip.
 

Shin-Yokohama Station
Because "Bullet Trains" travel great distances, at high speeds, there are only a few Shinkansen (Shin) Train Stations along a given route. Our closest Shin Station was Shin-Yokohama. A large, impressive station within a station.

It was fun watching our first few Shin trains come into, stop, and then leave these large stations.

Like other trains, the Shins come in an interesting variety of shapes, styles, and colors.

Most Shins have 16 cars. Each car being about 25 meters (82 feet) in length. Overall, about 1/4 mile long trains. Thus, the stations are also that large so that passengers can board each car quickly. You have to know which car your seats are in, to stand in the right place when your train arrives.

 

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Our First "Bullet Train" Shin to Kobe
Our first Shinkansen (Shin) Train, is a 700 Series "Bullet Train." It will take us from Shin-Yokohama Station to Shin-Kobe Station.

The Shinkansen Train system is a completely independent, closed network. They use their own high speed railroad tracks, which are typically above ground, eliminating any road crossings or other impairments to speed. Trains often travel at almost 200 mph. For that to happen, Shins typically travel on level ground, thru many tunnels, some seemingly miles long thru mountains. 

Riding a Shin requires a reservation. There are assigned seats. It is obviously more costly than regular trains, but the amount of travel time saved and the overall comfort is worthwhile.

The seating, windows, and general feel is more like an airplane than a train.

Looking out the windows was an experience. The scenery changes so quickly it is difficult to take pictures out the window. One moment you are looking at farm land, the next its a city, then suddenly a dark tunnel for what must be miles, then back into daylight.

From time to time, you pass another 16 car 1/4 mile long Shin Train going by in the opposite direction.  It takes just seconds.

We traveled through a number of rain showers, as we sped past mountains, farms, and cities.

Our trip, about 257 miles from Shin-Yokohama Station to Shin-Kobe Station took about 2:20 hours.

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Welcome to Kobe
It was hot and humid once again in Kobe. We walked mid day through the scenic city to our hotel.

Hotel Okura Kobe
Our hotel is one of the tallest structures on the waterfront. It overlooks the harbor and a lot more.
Our rooms were on the 16th floor.

This map shows the Hotel Okura in the center.

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Lunch in Kobe
We enjoyed a nice lunch at the hotel restaurant. We all tried different things.

All yummy! Plus desert.

Desert. An assortment.

One more?!

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Overlooking Kobe
After lunch, we got settled into our rooms on the 16th floor.

The views of the harbor were amazing. The area in front of the hotel includes the Kobe Maritime Museum, the Kobe Merikan Park Oriental Hotel, a Memorial to the Kobe Earthquake, and a Be Kobe sign. All around, many things to see including bridges, boats, and a Ferris wheel.

The Kobe Meriken Park Oriental Hotel and cruise ship pier. Cool looking.

Be Kobe
 

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Japan Coast Guard - Fireboat
The Japan Coast Guard Station was visible from our room.

Soon, a large "Firefighting" looking vessel headed out of the harbor. It would be gone over night, but return in the morning.

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Kobe Fireboats
From the hotel, we could see the Kobe Fireboat Station in the distance, under the red bridge.
Papa set out to get pictures of the boats. It took a little doing, a combination of buses, trams, and walking to get there and back.

Kobe has 2 Fireboats at the Kobe Port Fire Station.

Kobe also has another Fireboat Station in another part of the city. Did not get there.

The Tram over the bridge provided a perfect view of the boats. In addition to the Fireboats, there are several Police Boats at the next pier.

The tram also passed over the Fire Station at the Port of Kobe which staffs the Fireboats.

The two boats are docked behind the station.

One of several Kobe Police Boats.

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Kobe Fireboat "Takatori"
The larger of Kobe's Fireboats.

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Kobe Fireboat "Kusuoki"
The smaller of the two Kobe boats.

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Kobe Fire Department's Water Search Rescue Unit.

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Kobe Okura Hotel
Going over the red bridge on the trams return trip. The Meriken Park Oriental Hotel and the Hotel Okura Kobe Hotel overlooking the harbor. It is getting late in the day and some weather is coming in as well.

From the tram, it was back on a bus with hopes of getting off near the hotel. There apparently wasn't a bus stop near the hotel, so we ended up at the bus station. These buildings overlook the bus station.

We walked from there to the hotel.

A Kobe Fire Station on the way back to the hotel .

The Kobe Meriken Park Oriental Hotel.

The Kobe Maritime Museum lit up in the evening. Our Okura Hotel behind it.

That would be our little buddy watching for Papa's return.

The Kobe skyline as a light rain begins.

I had been gone several hours, and missed anything resembling dinner.

After a long day, with a lot of walking in the heat, I opted for a quick and easy bag of chips.
Some Sour Cream and Onion chips would definitely hit the spot.

I grabbed a bag at the local 7-11 based on the color of the packaging.

Back at the hotel room, a closer look at the bag revealed the actual flavor.
Salt and Seaweed Flavor. Hmmm. That's a first.

Washed them down with a couple cold adult beverages. Satisfied the need.

Ferris wheels are definitely popular over here.

The view from our Kobe room at night is hard to beat.

GOOD NIGHT KOBE!

END OF DAY 17 - SEPT 21, 2023

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