Maximizing the value of Grand Seiko! Japan Trip in Kobe

The meaning of a watch enthusiast traveling in Japan

The founder of Seiko said, ‘Watches are jewels that humans can create.‘ Therefore, it can be said that Grand Seiko is a jewel that embodies Japanese craftsmanship and aesthetic sensibility.

Grand Seiko allows you to feel its value just by seeing and touching the actual product. However, the philosophy of Grand Seiko, which pursues precision, beauty, and visibility, is deeply rooted in Japan’s rich nature and serene aesthetic consciousness. By visiting Japan and understanding Japanese culture and the spirit of craftsmanship, you can appreciate the value of Grand Seiko even more deeply. If you are interested in Grand Seiko (including if you already own one), I have to support you in getting to know Japanese culture.

There is a city called Kobe, about an hour by train from the ancient capital of Japan, Kyoto (Kobe might be more famous for its “beef”). Since its opening as a port in 1868, Kobe has been an international port city where Western culture and Japanese tradition have blended harmoniously, creating a unique style. In the center of Kobe, you can find

• Ikuta Shrine, known for matchmaking and resurrection
• Sorakuen, a beautiful fusion of a Japanese garden and Western architecture
• Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum, which conveys the philosophy of Japanese craftsmanship

and if you travel about 30 minutes by train, you can visit Arima Onsen, one of Japan’s three ancient hot springs, and Himeji Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site that Japan takes pride in. Additionally, Kobe beef offers a supreme experience that appeals to the five senses as a culinary art long celebrated in Japan.

In this way, Kobe holds an exceptionally high potential as a stage for experiencing the finest aspects of Japan. Furthermore, Kobe is the city where I have lived for many years and also the city where I bought my first luxury watch. In this article, I propose a journey to Kobe to understand Japanese culture and to deeply appreciate the value of Grand Seiko.

Grand Seiko and Kobe

Since Kobe is an international port city, it has a deep connection with Western culture, particularly with luxury watches, and there are many stores that handle high-end timepieces. Grand Seiko authorized dealers are classified into categories such as Grand Seiko boutiques that express the brand’s worldview to the fullest, Grand Seiko salons recognized for their high level of expertise, and Grand Seiko master shops recognized for their excellence, with differences in model availability based on the store’s rank. For example, the ‘Night White Birch’ mentioned later can only be handled by stores that are Grand Seiko salons or higher. There are only 36 Grand Seiko salons across Japan, and 3 of them are located in Kobe. This indicates that Kobe is indeed a city known for watches (by comparison, there are only three Grand Seiko salons in all of Indonesia as well, and the same is true for Vietnam).

Kamine, one of the Grand Seiko salons in Kobe, is known as one of Japan’s leading long-established stores and was founded in 1906 as a precious metal workshop. I visited recently, and the store manager, who is a certified advanced watch coordinator, shared his deep knowledge and love for watches, discussing the charms of each product and the excellence of the Grand Seiko manufacturing process for over an hour. Kamine is not just a high-end watch retailer. It has highly skilled staff who handle watches, and in cases where they determine that repairs are unnecessary, they may decline the repair to avoid imposing unnecessary costs on the customer.

When I visited Kamine, I was able to see not only the Grand Seiko representatives ‘Yukishiro (Snowflake)’ and ‘Shirakaba (White Birch)’, but also the actual ‘Yoru-shirakaba (Kuro-shirakaba)’ (it was said that these products are very popular and difficult to secure in stores). Watches are like jewels; their beauty can be felt even more when seen in person rather than in photos.

Kobe beef. It is an art that is experienced with all five senses.

If Grand Seiko symbolizes Japan’s philosophy of ‘monozukuri’ (craftsmanship), then Kobe beef embodies the art of Japan’s ‘omotenashi’ (hospitality). A must-visit this evening is the long-established ‘Kikusui’, which is directly managed by a butcher shop. Kobe beef is a title reserved for only the highest quality Tajima beef produced in Hyogo Prefecture. Kikusui treasures this historic lineage of Tajima beef, and the quality of its meat provides an exquisite experience, with marbling that melts on the tongue and the elegant umami of the red meat perfectly blending together.

The experience offered at this restaurant is a feast for the senses that goes beyond mere dining; it allows diners to feel the chef’s skills up close. The chef performs live acts, juggling salt and pepper mills and cooking noisily on the grill, elevating the dining experience into entertainment. The design of this restaurant may initially seem peculiar. With just 17 seats, it is cozy, without private rooms. However, the fact that there are ‘no private rooms’ is a testament to this restaurant’s emphasis on a sense of unity at the counter for those seeking true gourmet experiences. The live feeling of the chef skillfully grilling meat right before your eyes is a luxury that can only be experienced here. Observing the ‘artisan skills’ of cooking up close and enjoying the aromas and sounds with all five senses transforms the occasion from merely dining into an artistic experience of culinary culture.

I have honed my skills at Kikusui for over 10 years, and I currently frequent a chef’s restaurant where he runs a teppanyaki grill himself. According to the chef, ‘Teppanyaki with Kobe beef is the same as a sushi master at the counter.’ It’s not just about showcasing his skills; he also engages in conversation with customers right in front of him, and based on their expressions and behaviors, he sometimes adjusts the doneness of the meat. This can be said to embody the spirit and technique of Japanese hospitality.

Ikuta Shrine – A shrine that binds good relationships

Located in the bustling streets of Sannomiya, the “Ikuta Shrine” exudes a tranquil atmosphere as soon as you step inside. It is a historic shrine dedicated to Wakahirume no Mikoto, known as the deity of matchmaking. This shrine has garnered faith as a place of revival, having recovered from repeated disasters.

At Ikuta Shrine, it is recommended to experience the water fortune slip. This water fortune slip appears to be a blank white piece of paper, but when floated in the shrine’s pond, letters gradually appear, revealing fortunes and advice. This quiet ritual encourages time to reflect on oneself, contrasting with the modern digital society. This time spent confronting the age-old search for fate, unlike the precise time measurement of Grand Seiko, is likely to provide spiritual depth to the journey.

Ikuta Shrine is located just a few minutes’ walk from my workplace. When I feel tired from work and want to space out, I visit Ikuta Shrine. Although I am not consciously aware of it, it might be a place that brings peace to my heart as a Japanese person.

Sorakuen – A Japanese garden where exotic atmosphere and Japanese tradition blend together.

Sorakuen, the only Japanese garden in Kobe, is located slightly away from the hustle and bustle of the city center, conveying the essence of Japanese aesthetics as an urban oasis. Built during the Meiji era as the residence of a businessman, it features a beautiful landscape of a pond-style strolling garden. Within the garden, visitors can cross stepping stones and stone bridges, enjoying scenic views of streams and stone arrangements resembling secluded mountains and valleys. Additionally, a boat house, which is part of the ceremonial boat used by the Lord of Himeji during the Edo era, has also been relocated to the site, existing as a valuable historical heritage.

Sorakuen is also just a few minutes’ walk from my workplace. It is a place I visit when I want to feel calm or when I want to sense the change of the seasons.

Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum – The Spirit of ‘Mastery’ Embedded in Architecture

For those with a deep interest in architecture, design, and Japanese craftsmanship, the “Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum” is the perfect choice. The concept of this museum is “The skills and spirit of craftsmen we want to pass on to the future,” and as the only museum in Japan specializing in carpentry tools, it plays a role in transmitting vanishing traditional techniques to future generations.

The remarkable feature of this museum is that the architecture itself is as important as the exhibits. The building was designed by architects from Takenaka Corporation and has received numerous awards for its blend of traditional and modern techniques. The use of a “mukuri roof” with tile roofing that blends into the nature of Rokko, and the earthen walls made with Kyoto’s Juurakudo reflect traditional Japanese craftsmanship at every turn.

This visit will be key to deeply understanding the philosophy of Grand Seiko. Just as Grand Seiko merges the latest technology with traditional techniques, this museum also seamlessly connects the age-old craftsmanship with modern design thinking. It will not only be an opportunity to appreciate the beauty of the tools but will also provide a rare chance to encounter the relentless quest for detail and the spirit of passing down techniques, which are common in Japanese craftsmanship.

Carving the memories of the journey into Grand Seiko.

A trip to Kobe will be a story that nurtures a deep respect for Japanese culture, history, and craftsmanship. Just as the city of Kobe has always embraced new cultures as an international port while valuing its good old traditions, Grand Seiko watches blend cutting-edge technology with traditional Japanese craftsmanship.

Grand Seiko will become a unique memento that will remain in this unforgettable experience. It is an existence that quietly and accurately engraves the beautiful night view of Kobe, the aroma of Kobe beef grilled right in front of you by artisans, and the various cultural experiences gained in Kobe. Every time you look at this watch, you will not only own a beautiful product but also evoke memories of your journey that touched the spirit of Japan’s ‘Takumi’ (craftsmanship). It will become an invaluable treasure that adds a certain dignity and an endless sense of beauty to the story of your life.

I will support your trip to Kobe.

After reading this article, I wonder if you would like to visit Kobe. As I have written so far, I truly enjoy the city of Kobe in my daily life. I also want to support foreigners who are interested in Kobe (even though I am not particularly good at foreign languages).

If you want to visit Kobe or want to know more about it, please feel free to contact me through the contact form on this blog. I would like to offer support, from answering questions via email to assistance with your trip to Kobe.