Fish auctions in noisy market halls, karaoke in private living rooms, anglers under the Pacific sun – the Japanese coastal city of Kobe has largely recovered from the massive earthquake that caused such devastation in 1995, killing thousands and undermining the people’s faith in progress. Rainer Komers’ poetic documentary about this city of water is far more than just an urban portrait. At the same time, it remains completely in the background, with neither commentary nor interviews, allowing the visual composition and sounds to speak for themselves. From everyday life to the small pleasures of free time, this film gives an intimate insight into the life of a city by the sea.