As part of my Learn Japanese Pod website and podcast, I’ve just released the 2nd edition of the Learn Japanese Pod Magazine for August 2011. It’s a free downloadable digital magazine in PDF format. It’s aimed at anyone interested in Japan, its culture and learning Japanese. You can also subscribe via email to the magazine here.

It contains the following features:
- The latest news from Learn Japanese Pod
- Japanese language lessons
- Japan travel and event guide
- Reviews of hotels, restaurants and products in Japan
- Japan tech, cool websites apps for learning Japanese

This month’s special feature is travel to Kyoto and some tips on what to see.  There are also some lessons on 四字熟語 Yojijukugo and events listings for music festivals, Matsuri and fireworks displays around Japan.

I hope you enjoy reading it.

From the highs to the lows, the sublime to the cor-blimey, I’ve released my latest iPad photography travel app for Kobe, Japan. If you are interested in traveling around Japan and want to see some of the sites without leaving your chair and iPad, this little app might be for you.

I’ve included a wide range of photos with places such as China town, Kobe Port and the scenery of Kitano. Interestingly, Mike, the guy who is helping to program the app and edit my photos left in the pictures of the car crash. He’s a genius. However, you’ll have to buy the app to see them.

I have pretty much kept the order of the photos as I took them during the day of the shoot. That means you can follow my route and see a lot of Kobe; this app also contains maps showing you the location of the photos.
You can also check out some of my other apps here.  So here are a few photos from the Kobe app:

1) Kobe Port Tower

To be honest, the actual tower itself is a little disappointing inside but the port area is well worth a stroll. They have shopping and good restaurants for all. You can also take boat cruises in the day time and also for dinner cruises.

2) Tenman Shrine in Kitano Kobe.

Kobe has some great hills and hiking routes above the city. One interesting area is Kitano and the Tenman Shrine with incredible views over the city.

3) Eating out in Kobe

Although Kobe is a somewhat compact city, it has an incredible variety of restaurants, bars and other entertainment options to keep you interested. You don’t have to eat at the same place twice too often in Kobe.

4) China Town

So when you have exhausted all the Japanese and western food options in Kobe, there is the China Town. There are some great restaurants and street food stalls. A great place for a stroll and lunch.

More travel photography apps for iPad here.