College of Computing, Kobe Institute of Computing

🗣️ 𝘼𝙛𝙩𝙚𝙧-𝙎𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙡 𝙀𝙣𝙜𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙝 𝙒𝙤𝙧𝙠𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙥
Our first English Exchange Activity of the semester was a great success! ✨
Japanese and international students were mixed into groups and enjoyed speaking English through fun games, creating a relaxed and friendly atmosphere after class.

🔹 𝗜𝗰𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿 𝗕𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗼
Students chatted about their hobbies and life experiences. If they found someone with something in common, they could mark it on their bingo card!

🔹 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗢𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲
Using cards as prompts, students challenged themselves to explain Japanese words and concepts in English—without using any Japanese.
How about you? How would you explain Japan’s “𝘏𝘢𝘵𝘴𝘶𝘮𝘰𝘥𝘦” in English?

We’re already looking forward to the next English exchange and the chance to make even more new friends!

𝘿𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙣 𝘾𝙖𝙣 𝙎𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙇𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙨! 𝙄𝙣𝙙𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝘿𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙣 × 𝙅𝙖𝙥𝙖𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙚 𝙍𝙚𝙙 𝘾𝙧𝙤𝙨𝙨 𝙎𝙤𝙘𝙞𝙚𝙩𝙮 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙟𝙚𝙘𝙩 (Pt.2)

◆ 𝗪𝗼𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘀
Students created cute stamps featuring "Kenketsu-chan", the official blood donation mascot in Japan. They added local symbols like, 𝗦𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗼𝗿 (Representing Kobe, our famous international port city), 𝗧𝗮𝗻𝗯𝗮 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗻𝘂𝘁, 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗷𝗶 𝗜𝘀𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗢𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗻(Awaji Island is famous for its sweetest onions), 𝗦𝗮𝗺𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗶 𝗞𝗮𝗻𝗯𝗲 𝗞𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗱𝗮 (A legendary Samurai from this region), and 𝗧𝗮𝗷𝗶𝗺𝗮 𝗕𝗲𝗲𝗳 (The world-famous high-quality beef (including Kobe Beef)).

💬The Experience: In today’s digital world, holding a real wooden stamp and collecting them feels very special. Each stamp is unique, and will be a wonderful memorial of your blood donation to save someone's life.

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■ 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁
This is a collaboration project between Kobe Denshi and the Japanese Red Cross Society, aiming to encourage young people to donate blood. Students from the Department of Industrial Design designed two special items to say "Thank You" to blood donors. They spent 6 months from learning how blood saves lives, visited the blood center in Kobe and learned that 14,000 people must donate blood every day in Japan.
By using design, our students want to make blood donation more friendly and popular for the young generation.
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These items are now being used at six blood centers in Hyogo, Japan. If you are in Hyogo, Japan, please visit a blood center and try these student-designed items!

𝘿𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙣 𝘾𝙖𝙣 𝙎𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙇𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙨! 𝙄𝙣𝙙𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝘿𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙣 × 𝙅𝙖𝙥𝙖𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙚 𝙍𝙚𝙙 𝘾𝙧𝙤𝙨𝙨 𝙎𝙤𝙘𝙞𝙚𝙩𝙮 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙟𝙚𝙘𝙩 (Pt.1)

◆ 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁 "𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗟𝘂𝗰𝗸 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗺" (𝗢𝗺𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗶) 𝗞𝗲𝘆𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗻
In Japan, people carry "𝘖𝘮𝘢𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘪" for protection and good luck. Our students designed a modern version with a smart NFC chip inside.

🗨️ How it works?
Just tap your smartphone on the keychain, and it automatically opens the blood donation app!

🗨️Why it’s helpful?
By using the app, it makes booking your next donation easy and reminds you that your blood saves lives.

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■ 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁
This is a collaboration project between Kobe Denshi and the Japanese Red Cross Society, aiming to encourage young people to donate blood. Students from the Department of Industrial Design designed two special items to say "Thank You" to blood donors. They spent 6 months from learning how blood saves lives, visited the blood center in Kobe and learned that 14,000 people must donate blood every day in Japan.
By using design, our students want to make blood donation more friendly and popular for the young generation.
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These items are now being used at six blood centers in Hyogo, Japan. If you are in Hyogo, Japan, please visit a blood center and try these student-designed items!

🏮𝙃𝙄𝙍𝙊𝙎𝘼𝙆𝙄 𝙉𝙀𝙋𝙐𝙏𝘼: 𝘼 𝘽𝙚𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙅𝙖𝙥𝙖𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙚 𝙎𝙪𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙧 𝙁𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙖𝙡 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙆𝙤𝙗𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝟯 𝘿𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙊𝙣𝙡𝙮!
When it comes to Japan's most famous summer festivals, the "Aomori Nebuta Festival" is always near the top of the list. And this weekend, another famous festival from Aomori Prefecture — the "𝗛𝗶𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗮𝗸𝗶 𝗡𝗲𝗽𝘂𝘁𝗮 𝗙𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹" — is traveling over 1,000 kilometers to bring its unique magic to Kobe for three days only!

While the Aomori Nebuta is known for its three-dimensional human-shaped lantern floats, the Hirosaki Neputa features giant fan-shaped lanterns. The front is bold and powerful — fierce warrior figures that command attention. But turn to the back, and you'll find classical, elegantly painted female characters. Same lantern, but a completely different atmosphere. You really have to see that contrast for yourself.

Normally, getting to Aomori for the festival would mean at least 7 hours* by train. But this weekend, you can experience it right here in the center of Kobe.

If you're living in Kobe or anywhere near Kansai area, this is a rare chance — come check it out!

【𝗛𝗶𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗮𝗸𝗶 𝗡𝗲𝗽𝘂𝘁𝗮 𝗙𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗻 𝗞𝗼𝗯𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲】
📅 Date: May 29 (Fri.) to 31 (Sun.), 2026
📍 Location: Kobe Harborland umie MOSAIC
🎫 Free admission



※The transportation time is calculated based on the Kobe (Hyogo) – Tokyo – Hirosaki (Aomori) route.

𝘾𝙖𝙢𝙥𝙪𝙨 𝙏𝙤𝙪𝙧｜𝘿𝙚𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙅𝙖𝙥𝙖𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙚
A campus tour specially designed for new students in the Department of Japanese was held earlier.

Since students usually attend classes mainly in one building, this was a great opportunity to explore other campus facilities and discover what students in other departments are learning and creating.

At the exhibition area on the first floor of the Kitano Building, students listened to explanations from our guides while enthusiastically exploring various displays, including architectural models, robots, PC game experience booths, and package design works. Later, they visited the Sonic Hall and took a memorable group photo together on the spacious stage — “Say cheese 😊”!

We wish all of our students a fulfilling school life at Kobe Denshi and hope they continue moving confidently toward their future goals!

𝘿𝙞𝙙 𝙖𝙣𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙚 𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙂𝙤𝙤𝙜𝙡𝙚 𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙨 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙜𝙤𝙩 𝙖𝙣 𝙪𝙥𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙙𝙚!? 👀
So I opened my browser earlier this week like any other day, ready to start working — and something felt... different? I couldn't figure it out at first, but then I realized: the icons look new. The colors, the shapes — the corners are rounder and honestly, cuter ✨

I looked it up, and it turns out 𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗴𝗹𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝘂𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝟭𝟯 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘀 all at once on May 18th!

The biggest change? They finally removed the rule that every icon had to include all four colors — red, yellow, blue, and green. The new ones use gradient colors and designs to showcase the uniqueness of each app. To be honest, the old ones all looked so similar that you'd sometimes click the wrong one. This update makes things a lot easier on the eyes.

Below you can find a before-and-after comparison of the 6 apps I use most. By the way, my personal favorite is the new Google Drive icon... it kind of looks like a onigiri🍙 and I love it!

Has your phone or laptop updated yet?
Share a screenshot of your favorite new icon with us in the comments! 👇

【𝙑𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙤 𝙤𝙛 𝙆𝙤𝙗𝙚 𝙁𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙖𝙡 (神戸まつり)】
1. YouTube｜神戸新聞社（kobedigital）
https://youtu.be/GlzLDYlTp9k?si=d-8yzS1mode_FMOb

2. Instagram｜神戶人（kobejin1218）
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYbr9fTz2UY/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

🕺💃Each dance performance had its own unique style, and people of all ages joined in with excitement. On a beautiful sunny weekend, the festival brought a lively and energetic atmosphere to the heart of Kobe ✨
Already looking forward to next year’s Kobe Festival!

𝙅𝙖𝙥𝙖𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙚 𝘿𝙚𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 – 𝙎𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙁𝙞𝙚𝙡𝙙 𝙏𝙧𝙞𝙥 𝙩𝙤 𝙆𝙮𝙤𝙩𝙤
Last week, students from the Japanese Department took a day trip from Kobe to Kyoto for their spring field trip. We visit two of Kyoto's most iconic destinations: 【Fushimi Inari Shrine】 and 【Kiyomizudera Temple】.

At 𝗙𝘂𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗺𝗶 𝗜𝗻𝗮𝗿𝗶 𝗦𝗵𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗲, students walked through the seemingly endless tunnel of vermilion torii gates. Many were eager to explore the shrine's culture firsthand: ema (wishing plaques), omikuji (fortune slips), omamori (lucky charms) and white fox-themed souvenirs, taking in every bit of this distinctly Japanese experience.

At 𝗞𝗶𝘆𝗼𝗺𝗶𝘇𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗮 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲, students stepped onto the famous "Kiyomizu Stage," a breathtaking wooden platform with sweeping views of lush greenery stretching out below. Standing at this UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, they could truly feel the weight of history beneath their feet. They also made sure to visit Otowa Waterfall, lining up to drink from its sacred waters and make their wishes.

Students from many different countries walked together through Kyoto's charming historic streets, sharing laughter and making memories. This field trip will surely remain one of the most unforgettable experiences of their time here.

🚨【𝘽𝙍𝙀𝘼𝙆𝙄𝙉𝙂】𝘾𝙖𝙡𝙗𝙚𝙚'𝙨 𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙥 𝙗𝙖𝙜𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙜𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙗𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙩𝙚！？
Calbee officially announced today that the packaging of 14 products, including potato chips and shrimp crackers, will be changed to black and white 2-color printing.

📌 Reason: Unstable supply of printing ink materials due to tensions in the Middle East
📌 Timing: Gradually switching from late May onwards

Who would've thought that the situation in the Middle East could impact the snack packaging at your local convenience store…
It's truly striking how interconnected the global economic situation is.🌏

🎶𝙆𝙤𝙗𝙚 𝙁𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙖𝙡 (神戸まつり)
Do you know the most lively day of the year in Kobe?
Every year, in mid-May, Kobe holds the Kobe Festival (神戸まつり) in the city center, bringing the whole city to life. It is a large-scale festival where local residents take the lead and everyone can join in.

The event takes place around Sannomiya area, the Former Foreign Settlement, and the waterfront area. During the festival, the entire city feels like one big celebration, filled with a vibrant atmosphere unlike any other day.

One of the highlights is the main parade, where various groups perform lively music and dance. Colorful costumes and energetic rhythms bring excitement to the streets. In addition, you can enjoy food trucks, markets, and interactive activities, making it fun just to walk around and explore.

What makes this festival special is the way different cultures naturally come together, allowing you to experience Kobe’s unique international atmosphere!

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Kobe Festival 2026
📅 Date: Sunday, May 17, 2026 | 11:00–16:30
📍 Location: Sannomiya, Former Foreign Settlement, Waterfront Area
🔗 For more information, please search for "kobe-matsuri".
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