Day 16

The day began a bit late - we got out of the hotel at 10:30 AM. We took public transportation to Mount Rokko in Kobe. Quick shoutout to the public transportation in this country. It is phenomenal. Aside from the confusing aspect of multiple companies operating different lines and different routes, the stations are clean, the buses and trains are always on time, and you can get directly where you want to go.

We arrived at Mount Rokko and Avi decided that rather than taking the cable car both ways, we would climb up the mountain and take the cable car down. Thus ensued a grueling hour and a half ascent through thick forest

It was worth it for the view at the top

We stopped at a cafe at the top of the mountain to relax and then took the cable car on the way down

We went back into town and stopped at a grocery store for “lunch”. I ate a kosher chocolate I found and some fruit

From there we walked to the Sake manufacturing district and walked around the factory tourist site. We also tried different Sake including one that this company proudly boasted was served at the Nobel Prize award ceremony

And now I have to share one of the most incredible stories from the trip. At the sake factory we decided it was time to think about dinner. Avi wanted sushi but I knew there was a Chabad nearby. It wasn’t clear on the website if they had a kosher restaurant or not so I gave the Rav a call. He answered and explained that they didn’t have a restaurant but he would have some food later and I would be more than welcome to take. So we decided to walk there and see what kosher food we could get.

The shul itself was beautiful

The Rav met us with rolls of bread. He told us that he had a meeting with some people that he couldn’t push off but if I wanted to come back after for dinner, I could. He didn’t want me to go hungry while waiting, so he brought rolls of bread and told me I could go into their little kosher store and take whatever snacks or spreads I wanted to tide me over until I returned for dinner

Avi and I went back into town. Avi decided he wanted to go find sushi but I wanted to return to the Shul for some food and to ask questions about the Jewish community. So we split up and planned to meet after - it shouldn’t take me more than 45 minutes to eat there.

I got back to the chabad and knocked on the door. The Rav’s wife opened up and ushered me to a sofa on the side. She explained that the Rav would almost be done but I could make myself comfortable. Only after a few minutes, did I realize that the Rav was in a donor meeting discussing big projects for the shul. Nonetheless he waved and smiled my way and continued his meeting for the next half hour

After the meeting, the wife waved me over and invited me to eat the dinner. The food was meat, vegetables, rice, garlic bread, and incredible desserts. While we ate, we spoke in Hebrew about my trip so far, about the Jewish community in Kobe, and the work that she and her husband do. I met the kids and spoke to them about Japan and their life there. It felt like a real family meal at home

Not only was I welcomed with open arms to the dinner, but on a night when the Rav had a very important meeting. I called him two hours before and without hesitating he said of course I could join his family for dinner later. Traveling as a Jew is the best kept travel secret. I’ll never forget that family or the Jewish community of Kobe. They are remarkable

After dinner, and their repeated invitations for Shabbat (and free use of their guest room), I bought some Kosher food from the shop, gave a donation, and made my way back to Osaka