Only a few years ago it was in ruins yet today it bares few physical scares of that devastation. However its economy is still rebuilding and remarkably the government has chosen the arts and design as one of the new building blocks.
Since you are looking for a tour with loads of interaction, learn more about Kobe and kind of city you will be interacting with. For more general travel information go to Japan Guide, or the Japan National Tourism Organization.
Kobe is one of the first international cities in Japan and remains strikingly diverse. For some pictures of this physical and human landscape, check out some pictures on flickr. Kobe is also home to an ambitious cultural community and you can quickly find events on TimeOut Japan. For information such as visas or government affairs, go through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.