Cover Motif for 'Chikyu no Arukikata Kobe City' Decided by Citizen Participation Survey! Also Noteworthy is the First Cover Renewal in 24 Years

Gakken Holdings Co., Ltd. (Shinagawa, Tokyo / Representative Director and President: Hiroaki Miyahara)'s group company, Arukikata Co., Ltd. (Shinagawa, Tokyo / Representative Director and President: Kunihiro Arai), announced the cover motif for 'Chikyu no Arukikata Kobe City' (scheduled for release on July 23, 2026) on May 12, 2026. This work marks the first cover renewal for the 'Chikyu no Arukikata' series in 24 years.

■ Kansai's First City Edition 'Chikyu no Arukikata Kobe City' Starts Pre-orders

'Chikyu no Arukikata Kobe City,' the first city edition in Kansai from the 'Chikyu no Arukikata Domestic Series,' which has surpassed 1.28 million cumulative copies, will be released on July 23, 2026. Pre-orders have started ahead of its release! This book is a comprehensive guide to the profound charms of Kobe, where you can encounter new history, culture, and trivia as you explore. It delivers an overwhelming amount of information across 384 pages, from basic knowledge of the city you should know, to its historical background, and local tidbits from all nine wards.

■ 'Kobe-ness' Chosen for the Cover Through a Citizen-Participation Survey

The cover of 'Chikyu no Arukikata Kobe City' was decided through a survey targeting Kobe citizens, residents with experience living there, travelers, and Kobe fans. In response to the question, "Which design would you like to see on the cover of 'Chikyu no Arukikata Kobe City'?", the 'Kobe Port Tower,' a landmark symbolizing the city, received the most votes. The ranking results were as follows:

1st place: Kobe Port Tower
2nd place: BE KOBE Monument
3rd place: Kazamidori no Yakata (Weathercock House)
4th place: Akashi Kaikyo Bridge
5th place: Night view of the Rokko Mountains
6th place: Kobe Luminarie
7th place: Others

The survey also asked about recommended restaurants, cafes, izakayas, bakeries, sweets, souvenirs, things Kobe City is proud of, local Kobe quirks, unique Kobe dialects and expressions, and famous people/celebrities from (or residing in) Kobe City. All of these insights have been incorporated into the content of 'Chikyu no Arukikata Kobe City.'

◉ About the 'Chikyu no Arukikata Kobe City' Publication Commemoration Survey

Response period: November 21, 2025 – January 18, 2026
Number of responses: 755

■ First Cover Renewal in 24 Years

This work is the first cover renewal for the 'Chikyu no Arukikata' series in 24 years, since 2002. Based on the long-familiar yellow and red brand image, the logo design has been refreshed. Furthermore, the illustration expression, which depicts the charm of the region, incorporates realism and familiarity, pursuing a design that more three-dimensionally conveys the local atmosphere and the excitement of travel. While cherishing the philosophy that has been important since its inception, we will continue to accompany everyone's journeys.

[Product Overview]

■ 'Chikyu no Arukikata Kobe City'

Author: Chikyu no Arukikata Editorial Department
Price: 2,310 yen (tax included)
Scheduled release date: July 23, 2026
Format: A5 modified, 384 pages
ISBN: 978-4-05-802743-1
E-book version: Available
Publisher: Arukikata Co., Ltd.
Distributor: Gakken Co., Ltd.
Chikyu no Arukikata: https://www.arukikata.co.jp/guidebook/377826/
Gakken Publishing Site: https://hon.gakken.jp/book/2080274300

[Click here to pre-order/purchase this book]

・Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4058027436/
・Rakuten Books: https://books.rakuten.co.jp/rb/18625248/

■ Arukikata Co., Ltd.

https://www.arukikata.co.jp/company/
・Representative Director and President: Kunihiro Arai
・Date of establishment: December 1, 2020 (Business started January 1, 2021)
・Capital: 5 million yen
・Location: 2-11-8 Nishi-Gotanda, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 141-8416
・Business activities: Publication of "Chikyu no Arukikata" and related businesses, travel marketing business, non-life insurance agency business

■ GAKKEN HOLDINGS CO., LTD.

https://www.gakken.co.jp/
・Representative Director and President: Hiroaki Miyahara
・Date of establishment: March 31, 1947
・Capital: 19,817 million yen
・Sales: 199.1 billion yen, Consolidated subsidiaries: 82 companies (as of September 2025)
　　　　　Listed on Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market (Securities Code: 9470)
・Location: 2-11-8 Nishi-Gotanda, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 141-8510
・Phone number: 03-6431-1001 (main)
・Business activities: Engaged in education and medical/welfare related businesses since its founding in 1946.