Racing the Rokko Liner
Jan 6th, 2008 by Ad Blankestijn
The Rokko Liner connects Rokko Island with Sumiyoshi Station in Kobe. It is a so-called “automated guideway transit system” meaning the trains are computer controlled and do not need a driver. It runs on an elevated track that winds its way from Sumiyoshi (a JR station) to the island.
Rokko Island is the second major artificial island in Kobe, constructed between 1973 and 1992. It covers 5.8 square kilometres and is home to the Sheraton Hotel, the Canadian Academy, the Kobe Fashion Museum, and lots of high-rise apartment buildings standing close to the wharves. It is quite popular with foreign families for its pure air and wide, open skies.
But the ride there is quite an experience, as the Rokko Liner most of the time hangs periously high in the sky. Rokko Island is not a suitable place when you have fear of heights.
You look down on the expressway system as if sitting in an airplane.
The liner follows a bending track, up and down, sometimes more like a rollercoaster than a train.
Here is the bridge leading to Rokko Island. Lots of water on both sides…
Well, it is a port city, after all. The nice thing of Kobe is indeed that you live in the port, the port is not a foreign entity but a part of daily life.
But I have one thought: Rokko Island and the Liner were severely damaged in the 1995 earthquake, which occurred early in the morning before train service started.
Will the next BIG ONE please wait till we have safely landed?
Happy New Year!
You’ve been tagged by Auberginefleur at Japan Now & Then (http://blog.livedoor.jp/auberginefleur/). Oh Joy, Oh Rapture! Sorry.
I was tagged by Artesia at Artesia B’s Second Life World (http://artesiab.blogspot.com/) and now am spreading the joy.
I too thought it was just an annoyance at first, but then thought what the heck, but you won’t hurt my feelings if you ignore it.
The ground rules:
(1) Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
(2) People who are tagged need to write a post on their own blog (about their eight things) and post these rules.
(3) At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
(4) Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.