Journeys in Japan

Kobe, Hyogo: Kobe Kokashita - An Arcade - A Wonderland Under The Tracks (2x15)

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Kobe has an attractive shopping street that streches out long underneath an elevated railway track in the central part of the city. Measuring two kilometers in length and two meters in width, the shopping street is comprised of two narrow stretches each going to the opposite directions. The one in the east is "Sannomiya Kokashita Shopping Street", which is lined by a wide variety of restaurants and shops, including those dealing with trendy fashion, used clothes, and accessories. The other is "Motomachi Kokashita Shopping Street" that stretches to the west and is usually dubbed as "Motokoh." Originated in a black market from the postwar era, the shopping street thrived dynamically in the 1960s with many dock workers and sailors of foreign ships. In the present days, the shopping district grows increasingly distinctive as it goes toward the west. The west half attracts middle-aged and old shoppers as well, thanks to a number of shops that sell antiquities, vintage electric appliances, and used clothes. Unfortunately, the number of vacant shops is on an increase here because of the trend of time. But people from the kokashita shopping street are willing to organize new events to help cheer up the whole of Kobe with the power of art. The shopping street is free of any formalities. You can feel easy to go out in your everyday clothes and associate with local shop owners and customers. Among many unusual places is a restaurant which is always crowded with regular customers who repeat coming back almost every day. There are also shops where you can expect to find one of the rarest items. One of other shops may give you a chance to recall part of the memory from your prime time, with its merchandise. NHK World reporter George Bourdaniotis walks through the shopping street under Kobe's elevated railway track to bring you a lot of information.