「WORLD MASTERS GAMES (WMG) 2021 KANSAI」is an international multi-sport event which generally allows anyone above the age of 30 to participate. The aquatic events of WMG2021 include Swimming, Diving, Water Polo, Artistic Swimming, and Open Water Swimming. The swimming and diving competitions will take place in Kobe in Hyogo Prefecture, while the water polo and artistic swimming events will be held in Amagasaki which is also in Hyogo Prefecture. In this article, we would like to recommend places of interest and iconic foods of these cities.
Recharge Your Energy with Kobe Beef
Kobe Beef, considered to be one of the three best wagyu brands in Japan, is probably the best thing you can get in Kobe to replenish your energy for your match. Kobe Beef is produced with strict breeding-environment and meat-quality standards, using only the meat of pure-bred Tajima cattle from Hyogo Prefecture. Beef consumption in Kobe is said to have begun about 150 years ago, a culture introduced by foreign sailors when the port reopened to international trade. Cows which were crucial for farming eventually became a vital part of Kobe food culture.
There are many restaurants specializing in different styles, such as sukiyaki, steak, shabu-shabu, and hamburger, selling Kobe Beef in the city. So you can enjoy the luxurious taste of Kobe Beef according to your own preference.
Medley Traveling 4 Areas of Kobe
In Kobe. the venue of swimming and diving, there are four areas worth exploring, each with its own character and appeal. We will introduce the points of interest in the bay area, downtown, Kitano, and Mount Rokko.
The Bay Area is said to be the “face of Kobe”. There are numerous places from where to enjoy the scenery of the bay and large malls where you can shop, eat and relax. Next, the downtown area centered on Shin-Nagata Station, is very cosmopolitan with a long history of foreigners from many countries living here. Here you can find famous local dishes such as okonomiyaki, bokkake (beef tendon and konjac jelly simmered in sweet and spicy sauce), and sobameshi (yakisoba and fried rice combined); as well as various international dishes reflecting the foreign population. The Kitano area has many former residences of foreigners, known as ijinkan, which were built after the opening of Kobe port in 1868. These former mansions are open to the public. You can enjoy strolling around ijinkan, art museums and shops in the Kitano area. Last but not least, Mount Rokko allows visitors to experience the rich nature of Kobe, which may be more to the liking of athletic people. There is also the Kobe Cheese Museum where you can experience the process of cheese making and pack in a bit more protein.
Mount Rokko area is arguably most enjoyable at night. From the Kikuseidai observation deck on Mount Maya, you can immerse yourself in the breathtaking the panoramic night view, known as the Ten-Million Dollar Night View.
The Appetizing Thick Ankake Chanpon Noodles in Amagasaki City
Ankake Chanpon is the local dish you must try in Amagasaki, the venue for the water polo and artistic swimming competitions.
Chanpon is a noodle dish topped with many vegetables, popularized in the Kyushu and Kansai regions during from the mid-1950s to about 1973 when Japan was experiencing rapid economic growth. Ankake chanpon uses sauce thickened with starch, which is said to be used because it made hungry factory workers feel more full. So it follows that it is a great choice for hungry athletes after their events.
Ankake chanpon can be made using all kind of noodles, so you may enjoy it with your favorite noodle texture. Naturally, there are many chanpon restaurants in Amagasaki for you to choose from.
Amagasaki: The City Symbolizing “War” and “Art”
Amagasaki Castle was built for the hereditary lord of Amagasaki, Toda Ujikane, the son of Toda Kazuaki who served the shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. The castle was not used defensively but was symbol of both martial authority and peace with its beautiful decorations. The castle’s tower keep was dismantled in 1873 and reconstruction was completed in 2019. It is one of the highlights of the castle, so you can enjoy the castle’s new look during your visit.
In Amagasaki there are also traditional art performances which are as complex and coordinated at synchronized swimming. Such traditional arts include Daikakuji Kyogen, where performers act using only body actions accompanied by the sound of drums; Tomatsu Noh, performed to gods for good harvest during summer; and Amagasaki Noh which is held outdoors at night. The performance schedules for 2021 are yet to be announced, but Amagasaki Noh which took place on May 20th May in 2018 and 2019 is likely to be held during WMG2021.
Welcome to Charismatic Kobe and Amagasaki
Kobe and Amagasaki in Hyogo Prefecture are cities whose attractions are just as many and varied as the swimming events which will take place in them. Embark on a satisfying journey of sports and sightseeing by joining WMG2021 KANSAI!
WMG Official Website👉 https://wmg2021.jp/en/
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