 The region has since been identified with the West and many foreign residences from the period remain in Kobe's Kitano area.Kobe, as it is known today, was founded on April 1, 1889, and was designated on September 1, 1956 by government ordinance.The history of the city is closely tied to that of the Ikuta Shrine, and the name "Kobe" derives from , an archaic name for those who supported the shrine.