The Abundance of Chiropractic Clinics in Kobe
It is often said that there are many chiropractic clinics in Kobe. Although I haven't conducted any formal statistics, my impression after moving here from another city is that there are numerous massage, chiropractic, and osteopathic clinics.
One reason for the abundance of these clinics could be the city's many hills, which put a strain on people's legs and lower backs in daily life. Another reason might be the large number of factories and warehouses. There are always job postings for short-term or one-day jobs. Having worked at some of these places, I can attest that the physical labor is very demanding and could easily lead to back pain if done continuously.
There are various types of chiropractic and massage services available, including Indian and Thai traditional massages, which have become quite popular. I am not sure if these foreign styles have been introduced recently by international residents, but given Kobe's long history of foreign inhabitants, it is not surprising.