I spent last Saturday in Kobe where old meets new. We started by visitng a Shinto temple tucked away within the city. The beauty of the building and the surrounding garden was framed by the tall buildings and advertisements on all sides. It's interesting to see history still represented so beautifully in an extremely advanced country. Behind the temple there was a mountain in the near distance which we travled up in order to see the waterfalls and the preserved nature. It was quite the site to behold, and fortunately I didn't pass out while climbing the endless, steep, stone staircase. Unfortunately in Kobe the beef is still as expensive as anywhere else. I plate of Kobe beef would have ran about 9,600yen so needless to say we decided to get the beef that didn't quite make the grade. Regardless it was the best meat I have ever tasted and it literally melted in my mouth. 

 

 

It is always fun to get out of the city in which you live and see something new, even if your home has only been your home for a few weeks. If you study abroad I highly encourage not stayining one place. No matter where you are every country will have something worth seeing outside of your comfort zone. In Hirakata-shi a 40 minute train ride can open the door to three terrific cities with all types of things worth seeing. This weekend I will take my first trip to Osaka City. I'll be visiting the largest aquarium in the world in one of the largest cities Japan has to offer. Pictures and experiences to follow next week.