At the “Meet Kobe in Melbourne” event, held during AIME 2025 in February, guests experienced unique offerings such as the “Snow” cocktail—an edible ice breaker prepared by Luke Whearty of Byrdi, inspired by Japan’s powder snow. The networking event, hosted by the Kobe Convention Bureau and in collaboration with leading local venues, combined Japanese ingredients with Australian culinary influences, including Kobe beef and a curated sake giveaway featuring selections from the Nada Gogo brewing district. This initiative supports the bureau’s efforts to attract international events by showcasing Kobe’s potential as a premium events destination.

Expanding Connectivity and Showcasing Innovation

In parallel with these hospitality initiatives, Kobe Airport is set to launch international charter flights on 18 April 2025, connecting Kobe to key international markets with new routes from airlines such as STARLUX Airlines, EVA Air, Korean Air, and Juneyao Airlines. Additionally, as part of ISPIM Connects Osaka 2025, a delegation visited Kobe’s research hubs, including Fugaku—the world’s fastest supercomputer at the RIKEN Center for Computational Science—and the Kobe Biomedical Innovation Cluster (KBIC). These efforts underline Kobe’s dual focus on enhancing global connectivity and fostering innovation in healthcare, digital technology, and med-tech development.