EVA – Work in Hyogo Japan – from France

2024-04-21

Meet Eva, from France, a tourism freelancer in Kobe, Japan, enjoying its blend of nature and cosmopolitanism. With a passion for languages and culture, she feels at home in Kobe’s diverse environment. Eva dreams of visiting oceanic meeting points and climbing Mount Fuji. She advises exploring Japan beyond Tokyo and Kyoto.

STUDY JAPANESE IN JAPAN

Interview – Story in Japan

WHERE ARE YOU FROM?

France

WHAT DO YOU DO IN JAPAN?

I’m a freelancer in tourism, working as a guide in Kobe, and as a travel writer for a French tourism site about Japan, I also do some concierges stuff.

WHY ARE YOU INTERESTED IN JAPAN?

I have always loved learning foreign languages, so I decided to learn about Japan then I discovered a lot about the culture and the country. I love nature and visiting shrines or temples.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO STAY IN THIS CITY?

I have been living in Japan for 12 years and I chose Kobe. What I like about Kobe is the easy access to nature, mountains, and sea, and it is not too big.

Kobe is really cosmopolitan city, we have typical Japanese places and European ones so I don’t feel homesick. Kobe is my home.

WHERE IS YOUR LOCAL RECOMMENDATION IN THIS CITY?

My favorite place is the port of Kobe because I enjoy watching the sea, which makes me feel peaceful. I have one favorite cafe with a terrace, so I love to sit there enjoying my coffee and looking at people, the scenery changes every time.

WHAT DID YOU ENJOY THE MOST WHILE STAYING ABROAD?

As a woman, I really enjoy feeling safe, I’m not afraid to walk alone by night. I also like the fact that most of the streets are clean, the same for the toilets.

Finally, I love that it is very easy to move by train almost everywhere.

DID YOU EXPERIENCE ANY CHANGE IN YOUR LIFE AND FUTURE PROSPECTS AFTER YOU START YOUR JOURNEY?

After more than 10 years, I have assimilated several Japanese habits and when I go back to France I always have a kind of reverse culture shock.

WHAT IS YOUR DREAM?

One day, I wish I could go to the place where the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Ocean join. I also wish I could climb Mount Fuji.

MESSAGE TO OUR FRIENDS WHO WILL GO TO JAPAN.

Please don’t limit yourself to Tokyo and Kyoto; other cities are great too. Come, visit, be respectful and enjoy your time.

HOW DO YOU LEARN JAPANESE?

I learnt Japanese for 2 years at the University in France and then by myself with the Minna no Nihongo textbook. I also used to communicate with Japanese people, watch dramas, and write a journal to practice my Japanese.

Recommendation

Port of Kobe

The Port of Kobe, located in the Hyogo Prefecture of Japan, is a key maritime gateway that has played a pivotal role in the country’s international trade and economic development since its official opening in 1868. Renowned for its resilience, the port made a remarkable recovery following the devastating Great Hanshin Earthquake in 1995. Today, it stands as a modern, multifunctional port handling a vast array of goods, from containerized cargo to raw materials. Additionally, the Port of Kobe is a popular tourist destination, offering attractions like the Kobe Harborland area, with its shopping, dining, and entertainment facilities, and the Kobe Port Tower, providing panoramic views of the city. Its strategic location and advanced facilities continue to support its status as a crucial hub for global commerce and local culture.