Kobe City (Hyogo Prefecture), as an international port city with 1.5 million population, has cultivated "refined speed aesthetics" distinct from both Osaka's working-class street culture and Tokyo's wealthy exhibition culture. The foreign settlement since port opening in 1868, concentration of multinational corporations, and cosmopolitan temperament generate a unique vehicle culture of "pursuing speed in gentlemanly manner." Topography with the Rokko Mountain Range backdrop (elevation 931m) provides not illegal street racing like Osaka's Loop, but semi-legal speed experiences on "weekend early morning Rokko Driveway"—the port city's internationalism demands "mannered speed" even in motorsports.
Kobe's motorsport enthusiasts hold self-perception of being "classier than Osaka, more practical than Tokyo." Access to Suzuka Circuit (110km via Meishin/Shin-Meishin, approximately 90 minutes) is nearly equivalent to Osaka, with geographical advantage of direct access bypassing Kyoto and Osaka. Imported car owners (Mercedes-AMG, BMW M, Porsche 911) living in luxury residential areas on Rokko Mountain foothills conduct weekend circuit driving—the lifestyle of "weekday Kobe port trade, weekend Suzuka" has taken root among trading company, shipping, and finance personnel. In contrast to Osaka's "used Civic on the loop," Kobe embodies economic disparity of "new imported sports car at circuit."
Mount Rokko stages Kobe's unofficial "touge culture," but organized illegal racing like Osaka's Kanjozoku rarely occurs. Well-maintained tourist roads including Rokko Driveway (toll road, ¥620 for regular cars), Ura-Rokko Driveway, and Omote-Rokko Driveway operate under tacit rule of "enjoy during empty 5-7 AM hours." Police enforcement is strict, but "legal speed experience targeting tourist road non-business hours" is tolerated—Kobe's characteristic "freedom within order." Panoramic views of Osaka Bay from Mount Maya and Rokko summit add aesthetic value to speed pursuit.
Kobe, as a city that suffered devastating damage in the 1995 Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, holds a special relationship between "reconstruction and car culture." Post-earthquake urban reconstruction widened road widths, accelerating motorization—a psychology exists among some of "expressing joy of surviving earthquake through driving cars." Waterfront drives around Kobe Meriken Park and Harborland symbolize Kobe-style driving emphasizing "scenery not speed." Imported car dealership density exceeds Osaka, with pride in being "a city where foreign luxury cars suit" demanding "international standards" even in motorsports.
Access from Kobe to Suzuka Circuit improved dramatically with the opening of Shin-Meishin Expressway (full opening 2017). Via Kobe-Nishi IC → Shin-Meishin → Suzuka IC: 110km, approximately 90 minutes, expressway toll ¥3,500—the major advantage of avoiding Osaka/Kyoto congestion. Kobe circuit drivers established an efficient pattern: "depart Kobe 5 AM → arrive Suzuka 6:30 AM → secure first morning driving slot → return evening." Central Circuit (Taka District, Hyogo, 2.8km) is the local circuit but currently kart-focused and rated "insufficient for serious circuit driving"—resulting in flow to Suzuka. Kobe's motorsport continues pursuing unique "refined speed aesthetics" between "international port city sophistication" and "rivalry against Osaka/Tokyo."