Kōbe

Kōbe, city and commercial port in Japan, capital of Hyogo Prefecture, south-west Honshu, on Osaka Bay near the city of Osaka. Since the 1890s several adjoining cities (including Hyogo) have been absorbed by Kōbe. Agricultural produce of the region includes rice and other cereals, fruit, vegetables, and tea. Shipbuilding and the manufacture of rubber products are of primary importance to the city. Chemicals, machinery, rolling stock, electrical equipment, textiles, refined sugar, flour, and sake are also produced here.

Behind the narrow coastal site of the city are the Rokko mountains, (reaching 931 m (3,054 ft) at Mount Rokko) where there are hot springs, and where suburban residences and hotels have been built. Many Christian churches, Shinto and Buddhist temples and shrines, two famous statues of Buddha, a fine arts museum, and a municipal museum with a collection on Western cultural contact are in Kōbe. Kōbe University (1949) is located here. Originally founded in 1902 as Kōbe Higher Commerce School, it became Kōbe University of Economics in 1944, then incorporated four other colleges in 1949 under its present name.

The city increased in importance after 1868, when Japan was opened to foreign trade. Before that time Hyogo, now part of Kōbe, had for centuries been a major Japanese port. On January 17, 1995, a strong earthquake struck below Awaji Island across the bay from Kōbe. The earthquake caused buildings and bridges to collapse and fires ignited throughout the city. In all, about 4,500 people died and more than 14,000 people were injured. More than 100,000 buildings were destroyed or damaged by the earthquake and resulting fires. Despite the crisis, in April 1998 construction was completed on the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, which links Kōbe to Awaji Island over the Akashi Strait. With a centre span of 1,990.8 m (around 6,532 ft), it is the world's longest suspension bridge. Population 1,502,772 (2007).