We are very excited to announce that a number of our conferences have changed venue to Kobe, just 15 minutes by bullet train or 21 minutes by express train from downtown Osaka. Kobe is a charming city, rich in history and with a very international feel. It’s perfectly situated in the Kansai region, with easy access to Kyoto, Himeji, Nara and many more Japanese cities loved by visitors and locals.Nestled between the mountain and the sea overlooking Osaka Bay, Kobe was one of the first ports in Japan opened to trading with the western world. It has maintained its rich international flavour and has many sights and things to do. The downtown core features the bustling area of Sannomiya, with upscale shopping and foreign restaurants, Kitano-cho has streets lined with charming cafes and the former mansions of the first foreign merchants and diplomats, and there’s a colourful and vibrant Chinatown, with delicious street food. Kobe is the top sake producing region in Japan and also has several museums, galleries, temples, gardens, and an aquarium.Kobe is well situated for day trips to historic Kyoto, lively Osaka or Himeji, home to Japan’s most famous castle. The nearby mountains of Mt. Maya and Mt. Rokko offer both easy and challenging hikes with incredible views from the peaks. Nearby Arima Onsen, with its wooden buildings and cobblestone streets, is also one of the oldest hot spring towns in Japan.