Everybody got that? Well, ok, translation: 'Kobe Shiritsu Shinrin Shokubutsuen.' Ok? No? English? ("YOKO!!!!") Right. 'Kobe Arboretum.'

Located just on the other side of Mt. Rokko, the arboretum has become our favorite weekend retreat from the frenetic pace of Rokko Island life. It is 'real' nature as opposed to the artificial variety that was 'poured and potted' on our island home, even though virtually every tree and bush in the arboretum has been planted. (At least it LOOKS natural.) And since our first visit in the autumn, we've been back 6 times.

The arboretum is actually a collection of 'world' forests: Australian, Pacific Northwest, Atlantic Northeast, Siberian, European, Southeast Asian, etc., so as you wander the trails, you pass eucalyptus groves, then pine, then maple, etc. And in between the 'foreign' forests are natural Japanese forests. And a large iris pond, Japanese serow and wild pig enclosures, and plenty of pocket meadows with picnic tables, etc. Quite well done, really.

And then there is a huge (by Japanese standards, at least) open field with athletic equipment and jungle gyms for the kids.

All in all, the arboretum has enough to keep the whole family active and interested for an entire day.

 A picnic deep in the forest.

 Here is the 'Forest of Seattle. It features a carving of a bear. (or is it an orca. I can't tell from this pic!)