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| Data accurate as of Jan. 1, 2001 | |
| 1. Consulates General
Because of Kansai's importance in the world, virtually every major country maintains a consulate here. Most are located in Osaka, although some can be found in Kobe, as well. |
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| Australia (Osaka) | +81-6-6941-9271 |
| Belgium (Tokyo) | +81-3-3262-0191 |
| Canada (Osaka) | +81-6-6212-4910 |
| China (Osaka) | +81-6-6445-9481 |
| France (Osaka) | +81-6-4790-1500 |
| Germany (Osaka) | +81-6-6440-5070 |
| India (Osaka) | +81-6-6261-7299 |
| Indonesia (Osaka) | +81-6-6252-9823 |
| Italy (Osaka) | +81-6-6949-2970 |
| Korea (Osaka) | +81-6-6213-1401 |
| Mexico (Osaka) | +81-6-6440-3870 |
| Netherlands (Osaka) | +81-6-6944-7272 |
| Panama (Kobe) | +81-78-392-3361 |
| Philippines (Osaka) | +81-6-6910-7881 |
| Russia (Osaka) | +81-6-6848-3452 |
| Singapore (Osaka) | +81-6-6261-5131/5132 |
| Switzerland (Osaka) | +81-6-6344-7671/7673 |
| Thailand (Osaka) | +81-6-6262-9226 |
| United Kingdom (Osaka) | +81-6-6120-5600 |
| United States of America (Osaka) | +81-6-6315-5900 |
| Vietnam (Osaka) | +81-6-6263-1600 |
| 2. International Schools All three major cities in Kansai have international schools covering all grades from elementary through high school. Although most schools are American/English-based, there are alternatives, including the French, German, and Norwegian schools, as well as schools for Chinese and Korean students. |
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| English-speaking | |
| Canadian Academy | +81-78-857-0100 |
| Marist Brothers International School | +81-78-732-6266 |
| St. Michael's International School | +81-78-231-8885 |
| Osaka International School | +81-727-27-5070 |
| Deutsche Schule Kobe-European School | +81-78-851-6414 |
| Osaka YMCA | +81-6-4395-1001 |
| Non English-speaking | |
| Deutsche Schule Kobe-European School | +81-78-851-6414 |
| Pre-School/Play Group | |
| The Entente Child Care Room | +81-78-858-0650 |
| International Preschool Roly-Poly | +81-78-843-8101 |
| Mikage International Pre-school | +81-78-851-8502 |
| St. George's International Kindergarten | +81-78-752-3445 |
| Ashiya International Play Group | +81-78-856-6121 |
| Maya International Pre-School | +81-78-842-6883 |
| Ashiya International School | +81-797-35-5011 |
| Peterpan International Pre-School | +81-78-857-5144 |
| Ai-land pre-school | +81-78-857-9751 |
| 3. Hospitals
Getting good health care is no problem in Kansai. There are many hospitals in the area that are used to serving the health needs of foreign residents. Besides the hospitals, there are also clinics and English-speaking physicians and specialists who serve the foreign community. |
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| Hyogo Medical University Hospital | +81-798-45-6111 |
| Kobe Kaisei Hospital | +81-78-871-5201 |
| Ashiya Municipal Hospital | +81-797-31-2156 |
| Higashi Kobe Hospital | +81-78-841-5731 |
| Hyogo Prefectural Children's Hospital | +81-78-732-6961 |
| Hyogo Prefectural Rehabilitation Center | +81-78-927-2727 |
| Kobe Adventist Hospital | +81-78-981-0161 |
| Kobe City Gneral Hospital | +81-78-302-4321 |
| Kobe University Hospital | +81-78-382-5111 |
| Konan Hospital | +81-78-851-2161 |
| Rokko Island Hospital | +81-78-858-1111 |
| Shinko Hospital | +81-78-261-6711 |
| Oriental Dental Clinic | +81-78-321-2717 |
| Tomura maternity clinic | +81-78-841-3599 |
| 4. Churches
Churches of almost all of the world's main faiths can be found in Kansai, particularly in Kobe: |
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| Kobe Union Church | +81-78-871-6844 |
| Saint Andrew's Chapel (Anglican/Episcopal) | +81-78-331-1696 |
| Kobe Eastern Orthodox Church | +81-78-221-4925 |
| Norwegian Seamen's Church | +81-78-221-0787 |
| Kobe Moslem Mosque | +81-78-231-6060 |
| Jewish Community of Kansai (Synagogue Ohel Shilomoh) | +81-78-221-7236 |
| Catholic Kobe Central Church | +81-78-221-4682 |
| Rokko Lutheran Church | +81-78-841-3466 |
| Shukugawa Bible Church | +81-798-72-6055 |
| 5. International Community Groups
All cities have community self-help groups, but Kobe's are the most developed by far. They include the YWCA, YMCA, and the Community House and Information Centre (CHIC). The latter is supported by various foreign businesses and members, and provides residents with assistance, classes, trips, exhibitions, etc. CHIC also publishes various guide books designed to help the needs of foreign residents. |
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| Community House and Information Centre (CHIC) | +81-78-857-6540 |
| Hyogo International Association | +81-78-230-3260 |
| Hyogo International Plaza | +81-230-3060 |
| Kobe International Community Center (KICC) | +81-78-291-8441 |
| Osaka Foundation of International Exchange | +81-724-60-2371 |
| Kyoto City International Community House | +81-75-752-3010 |
| 6. Private Social Clubs
Kobe is home to three private international clubs that attract a number of foreign members. Kobe Club is chiefly a social club that also has a pool and fitness facilities. Kobe Regatta and Athletic Club is sports oriented, while the Shioya Country Club is a combination social/sports club. |
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| Kobe Club | +81-78-241-2588 |
| Kobe Regatta and Athletic Club | +81-78-231-2271 |
| Shioya Country Club | +81-78-751-3211 |
| 7. National Societies
Several national societies have well-established roots in Kansai, including: George Washington Society (U.S.A.), India Club, Indian Social Society, Japan-America Women of Kansai, Kansai Canadian Association, Kobe Women's Club, St. Andrew Society (Scottish), St. George Society (British). |
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| George Washington Society | +81-78-241-0572 |
| Japan-America Women of Kansai (JAWK) | +81-78-858-0581 |
| India Club | +81-78-221-2139 |
| The Indian Social Society | +81-78-242-4092 |
| The Royal Society of St. George | +81-78-241-2588 |
| The St. Andrew's Society of Yokohama and Tokyo | +81-3-5355-0991 |
| Kobe-Nichi-Doku Kyokai (Japan-Germany) | +81-78-230-8150 |
| The Kansai Canadian Association | +81-72-885-8274 |
| NIKA(Nikkeijin in the Kansai Area) | +81-6-6765-2991 |
| 8. Shopping
You'll have no trouble shopping in Japan: there are huge city-center shopping areas, large and well-stocked department stores and supermarkets, and 24-hour convenience stores, as well. If you're looking for foreign foods and goods, you can find them in specialized shops such as Kobe Grocers and the Price Club (Kobe), or in sections of major department stores. You can also order imported goods through the Foreign Buyers Club. |
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| Shops Stocking Foreign Foods | |
| Kobe Grocers (Kobe) | +81-78-221-2838 |
| Price Club (Kobe) | +81-78-857-0321 |
| Foreign Buyer's Club (Mail order and Shop) | +81-78-857-9001 |
| Meidi-Ya (Kobe) | +81-78-391-6117 |
| Meidi-Ya (Kyoto) | +81-75-221-7661 |
| Bookstores | |
| Kinokuniya (Osaka) | +81-6-6372-5821 |
| Junkudo (Osaka) | +81-6-4799-1090 |
| Junkudo (Kobe) | +81-78-392-1001 |
| Maruzen (Kyoto) | +81-75-241-2161 |
| NCC (Childre's, Nishinomiya) | +81-798-26-1591 |
| Amazon (Web order) | |
| 9. Fitness Clubs
The Entente Fitness Club in Kobe is the only bilingual fitness club in Kansai. However, residents have many other choices including YMCA clubs in all cities, as well as any number of private fitness clubs throughout the area. |
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| Osaka | |
| Konami Sports Club Osaka | +81-6-6485-5564 |
| Tipness-Umeda | +81-6-6363-3531 |
| Kobe | |
| THE ENTENTE Fitness Club | +81-78-858-0700 |
| Tipness-Kobe | +81-78-360-1561 |
| Kyoto | |
| Kyoto Kokusai Lawn Tennis Club | +81-75-643-8462 |
| Kyoto City Sports | +81-75-621-8188 |
| 10. Banks
Banks provide various helpful services. Language can be a problem, although some of the bigger ones now have English speakers. Some foreign banks can be found in Kobe and Osaka, including Citibank, and most of them offer the same services as Japanese banks. |
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| Regular Banking | |
| Citibank (Kobe/Shinsaibashi/Honmachi Branch) | 0120-40-0956 (Toll-free, inside Japan only) +81-44-540-6688 |
| Corporate Banking | |
| State Bank of India, Osaka Branch | +81-6-6271-3237 |
| Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd., Osaka Branch | +81-6-6456-1231 |
| Korea Exchange Bank | +81-6-6630-2600 |
| Hongkong and Shanghai Banking, Corp.Ltd. | +81-6-6271-6500 |
| International Commercial Bank of China | +81-6-6202-8575 |
| Bangkok Bank, Osaka Branch | +81-6-6263-7100 |
| National Bank of Pakistan | +81-6-6244-8934 |
| Union de Banque Arabes et Francaises - UBAF | +81-6-6243-7707 |
| Westilb Deutsche Landesbank Osaka Office | +81-6-6944-1681 |
| UBS AG, Osaka Representative Office | +81-6-6422-6204 |
| BNP Paribas, Osaka Representative Office | +81-6-6457-1390 |
| Credit Lyonnais, Osaka Representative Office | +81-6-6201-3071 |
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