TRAVEL GUIDE: KOBE, JAPAN

Kobe isn't just the name of one of the greatest of all time when it comes to Basketball. It's also the name of one of the best cities in the world when it comes to travelling Japan. Be Kobe. No not like Mike, but in the motto of this terrific town.

Open the literal translation of "God's door" and Kobe will literally show you heaven like Marie McKie's 'Days Of Thunder'. Not only that but also like fellow port town Yokohama a place that shows Japan is more than the big three of Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto. A short train ride and even quicker Bullet from the latter two.

Or if you're interested in Japan's inspiration of 80's Americana (you should 'Kramer Versus Kramer' check out their 'Born On The Fourth Of July' Netflix right now if you don't already have one of those VPN altering apps), this place feels like a quiet Providence in-between Boston buildings. Only to feel in parts like the talents of South Beach when you make it to the Miami like port. Or the California of a cool San Diego all the way up the cable car bus like San Francisco hilly streets back to the Santa Monica dream meets Rodeo Drive, Los Angeles rich sidewalks of the New Orleans esque Kobe Jazz street where all cultures connect like good food and music. Until the traditional temples of the old meets neon new Japan confirm you're still set in the land of the rising sun.

Still from the jazz to the port like drinking to the sounds of the city, it's these two extremes that Kobe is all about. Save hiking the hills of Mount Rokkō, or bathing your feet after that walk in the Aroma Onsen. But cross the LGBT everyone's welcome rainbow like Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge to the Harborland and you'll find the heart of the Port right in the magnificent Meirken Park the feels like God's gateway in itself.

Take it to the top of the Kyoto like Kobe Port Tower however in its red lattice effect that feels like the Tokyo Tower meets Skytree and you really get to see the sights rising day to burning orange fallen sun, in its Sannomiya and Mount Maya glory, as the hills have light illuminated drawings etched all over them. From a tooth deep rooted to God's very place itself. If number 24 Bryant has ever been here then he would have seen his name in the sky like STAPLES.

Now like Kanye West once said on the Ghostface Killah, 'Back Like That' remix with Ne-Yo, when it comes to "ordering the Kobe beef like Shaquille O'Neal", if you've got the money go for it. You may aswell try it in the place where it cows massaged and given compliments too comes from.

But forget food for a minute, the real tradition in Kobe that is beautiful goes beyond beef. Right now the Luminarie light festival that is illuminated in December before Christmas honours all those who lost their lives in the 1995 Great Hanshin earthquake. A terrible tragedy that claimed over 6,000 residents of Kobe. Over 200,000 hand painted lights donated from the Italian government are biomass generated and environmentally friendly, but even more importantly they are a tribute testament to those gone and like the dearly departed will never truly go out. And with the streets closed from cars and the most emotional electricity to the city, this somber and sobering experience brings beauty to the aftermath of this town's tragedy even a quarter century in anniversary later.

Manhole grids dotted around the city like Google maps amongst other art designed ones and magnificent murals, surrounded by small statues all over the town like tourists proclaim, "All You Need Is Kobe". Well...and maybe LeBron and love too, but you still get it. Like that Mamba Mentality it's time to 'Be Kobe'. TIM DAVID HARVEY.