Until 1868 Japan was a closed country, yet opened 5 ports to foreign countries. Kobe port is one of them and opened for all over the world.
After that, ‘people’, ‘things’, ‘information’, ‘culture’ etc. coming into Kobe from all over the world. People came from overseas live and go into business, and schools for their children are made. Now there are 9 schools (English, Hangul, Chinese, German and Norwegian) for foreigners from the age of 5 to 18.
“The Former Foreign Settlement of Kobe”, which Communica Institute is in, is established as the same year of opening Kobe port and diplomats, traders, cultured people, newspaper reporters etc. lived. They brought European life style, culture, construction and industry. Culture characteristic of Kobe are made by them. These history of Kobe and great natural environment (around sea and mountain) make nice town to live for foreigners.
In addition, Kobe is the prefectural capital and the population is one and a half million. We have nice view consisting of artificial island as if future city, such as Port Island and Rokko Island. Neighboring cities of Kobe is high technology area which symbolizes modern Japanese industry such as shipbuilding, steal manufacturing, heavy chemical(s) industry, electronics and so on.
Not only nature and industry, also shrines of Nara and Kyoto, temples, castles, racial performing arts and industrial arts having history and tradition are equal to a Buddhist temple. There are a skiing ground, which has good facilities such as the Kannabe highlands, and famous hot springs (e.g., Arima, Kinosaki, Yumura, etc.).