We arrived in Kobe, from whence comes the famous Kobe Beef.  It’s actually from cows raised in nearby mountains, but close enough for us to order a steak dinner from an outstanding menu at a well-known Teppanyaki restaurant. More on that at the end…

We left the ship to meet our guide and took a taxi to the White Crane Sake Brewery Museum. This very well-known sake brand no longer brews the drink here, but have changed it into a very interesting museum. We learned about the ingredients of sake, and the process of making it. Then, a visit to Kobe’s earthquake monument and park. It remembers a devastating 6.9 - 7.3 earthquake in 1995 that destroyed much of the city, killing 6,000 people. By now it was raining, so time to head back to the ship!

In the evening we again left the ship for town, for our Kobe Beef dinner at the Royal Mouriya Restaurant. The expert chef cooked us a filet mignon and a beautiful lobster… an excellent meal! (I don’t think I’ll be able to wear those black jeans again on the trip. They are getting too tight!!)

Tomorrow is Thursday, and we have another relaxing day “at sea”.