KOBE Brighten
Local shops and events in Kobe
About this site
A place to find local information about Kobe
Information about shops and events in Kobe is spread across official websites, social media and other places. Checking each one takes time, and it is easy to hear about an event only after it has ended.
I run KOBE Brighten because I think having that information in one place can make planning a day out easier. I hope it helps you keep up with familiar shops and discover places you haven’t visited before.
Documenting Kobe
Naoki Nakayama Naoki Nakayama
I’m Naoki Nakayama, and I run KOBE Brighten from Kobe. I interview shop owners, write articles and photograph the city. I also build the website.
How you can use the site
Plan a day out
Browse events happening today or this weekend. The listings focus on Kobe and also cover Hyogo, Osaka and Kyoto.
Keep up with local shops
Find news of shop openings and closures, whether you want to check on somewhere nearby or a place you have been meaning to visit.
Get to know a shop
The interviews share stories from shop owners alongside photographs. I hope they give you a sense of why someone opened their shop and what matters to them.
Tools for ShootingKobe
I shoot Kobe with Sony Cinema Line as my main body, paired with Sigma, Tamron, and DJI. See the full gear list with Amazon links.
Made while living in Kobe
I moved to Kobe after living abroad. Walking with a camera often makes me notice a building or alley I would usually pass by. Even in the city I call home, there are plenty of places I don’t know yet. I’d like to keep sharing the places I find and the things I learn here.
Share a tip or ask a question
Please get in touch if you know a shop or event I should feature, or if you notice an error. You are also welcome to ask about interviews, photography and web projects.