Kobe

Kobe City is the "port city." Kobe's population is about 1.52 million. Capital of Hyogo Prefecture. Kobe Port opened 1868. One of Japan's international trade centers. For Kobe residents, "trade" is daily life. Foreign ships enter the port. Containers are loaded. Many Kobe residents are involved in "logistics." For Kobe residents, "cars" transport "cargo." Not hobby things. Kobe was hit by the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake in 1995. 6,434 deaths. Building collapses. Highway collapses. For Kobe residents, "1995" is a special year. Kobe residents recovered from the earthquake. Rebuilt. But that experience changed their view of "cars." For Kobe residents, cars are "transportation tools" and "evacuation tools." Not hobbies. Kobe has Mt. Rokko. 931m elevation. Rises behind Kobe. Mt. Rokko has mountain passes. Many curves. Some Kobe residents drive these mountain passes. But Mt. Rokko's passes have a history of illegal racing. Police enforcement is strict. For Kobe residents, "driving mountain passes" is dangerous. Kobe is about 30km from Osaka (about 30 minutes). About 70km from Kyoto (about 60 minutes). But circuits are far. About 150km to Suzuka Circuit (about 2 hours). About 140km to Okayama International Circuit (about 2 hours). Kobe residents live in a port city, but are far from motorsport. For Kobe residents, "speed" is ship speed. Not car speed.