Rokko Island has a huge gaijin community mostly because of the foreign companies and international schools located there.  It does have that feeling like your not in Japan anymore.

I noticed many shops are vacant all over the island perhaps due to some companies leaving. I also heard that the island never recovered after the Kobe earthquake in 1995.

I now work here and commute from Nagoya going back on weekends to visit my family. I use the Shinkansen train, JR train and the Rokko Liner. Door to door takes about 2 hours.

** Lonely Planet viewers please go to my blog to see a map of the area here**

Here is the train ride from Sumiyoshi to Rokko Island Center (**Lonely Planet viewers please go to my blog to see video):

Rokko Island view from 9th floor

Rokko Island Panorama