If you’re new to Kobe, you might want to know what the social scene is like regarding expats in the city. There are around 42,000 foreign residents in Kobe – approximately 3% of the city’s population. Distinct communities have formed social clubs and groups over time, ranging from private members clubs to informal coffee meetups. The following are a few local groups worth checking out.
Kobe Club
The Kobe Club is one of the longest-running English-speaking expat establishments in Kobe. It is a non-profit, private membership club with a restaurant and bar. The club organizes various events and special occasion celebrations, such as Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. The venue is a five-minute drive from Motomachi, Sannomiya, and Shin Kobe stations.
Website: https://kobeclub.org/en/
Kobe International Community Center
At Kobe International Community Center (KICC), you can join various events aimed at foreign residents. These give you the chance to meet new people, exchange opinions, and find career support. There are also Japanese classes available – but you should submit an application as soon as possible to ensure you secure a place.
Website: https://www.kicc.jp/en/
Kobe Regatta & Athletic Club (KRAC)
Kobe Regatta & Athletic Club (KRAC) is a membership club with a monthly subscription fee of 12,500 yen for a full membership or 8,000 yen for a country membership (available if you live more than 25 km away from the club). Founded in 1870, the club offers social and sporting activities and has facilities including two bars, a restaurant, an event space, meeting rooms, and areas for children. The club is about 10 minutes from Sannomiya station.
Website: https://www.kr-ac.org/
The Shioya Country Club
The Shioya Country Club is a membership club located among the heights of Mount James that serves international residents of the surrounding Shioya and Paramount Rokko communities. Members can access all the facilities, which include a restaurant, bar, meeting rooms, and fitness equipment. The club also runs many classes regularly, including yoga, karate, and flower arranging.
Website: https://www.shioyatochi.co.jp/eng/house/clubhouse/
English Connect Kobe
English Connect Kobe is a twice-monthly meetup group aimed at linking English-speaking expats with Japanese locals and other non-native English speakers looking to improve their speaking skills. The group usually meets on Fridays at the Mustard Seed Christian Church, not far from Motomachi Station, holding events to have informal chats, play games, and more. Meetings are free, but there is a recommended donation of 500 yen to help cover the cost of renting the facilities and snacks.
Website: https://www.meetup.com/Kobe-Conversation-Meetup/
CHIC
The Community House and Information Center (CHIC) runs a wide range of regular sports, arts, and social programs. All the activities take place on the 3rd floor of the Central Tower in the Higashinada ward. To stay in shape while meeting new people, join a bootcamp, yoga, sky jump, bhangra aerobics, tai chi, or running class. Alternatively, you may like to learn a new craft like ikebana, shodo, or tsumami zaiku.
If you’re looking for a bit of literary discussion, join the book club. Each month, members read a different book and discuss it at the next session. It’s an excellent chance for bookworms to meet like-minded expats and locals.
Website: https://www.chickobe.com/
InterNations
The Kobe branch of InterNations has 2,300 members of more than 20 different nationalities. It holds monthly events at different bars around the city, giving you the chance to meet other people in a relaxed environment and exchange tips about expat life.
Website: https://www.internations.org/kobe-expats
Kobe Global Neighbors
Another informal group is Kobe Global Neighbors. There’s around one event a month in places across Kobe and nearby. The small sizes of the gatherings makes this a great opportunity to get to know people – perfect if you’re looking to make friends.
Website: https://www.meetup.com/kobe-technology-society-meetup-group/
