Introduction to Hyogo Prefecture
Hyogo Prefecture is located in the Kinki region in the western part of the Japanese archipelago. Bordering both the Seto Inland Sea and the Sea of Japan, it is an attractive tourist destination with its rich nature, history, and culture. The Seto Inland Sea coast offers beautiful scenic spots such as the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge and Awaji Island, while the Sea of Japan coast offers snow-capped mountains, hot springs, and other natural attractions.
Geographic location
Hyogo Prefecture is bordered by Osaka and Kyoto, as well as many islands including Awaji Island. Access to the Kansai region is convenient.
History & culture
Hyogo Prefecture is home to many historical and cultural spots, including the World Heritage sites of Himeji Castle and Arima Hot Springs. Himeji Castle, also known as Shirasagi-jo, is a beautiful castle tower and is one of the three most famous castles in Japan. Arima Onsen is one of the oldest hot spring resorts in Japan, with an abundance of hot water and beautiful scenery.
Tourist attraction
Hyogo Prefecture has many tourist attractions to visit.
Himeji Castle
Himeji Castle is known as a national treasure and is also called “Shirasagijo Castle” because of its beautiful white exterior. It is also registered as a World Heritage site. Not only the castle tower and stone walls, but also the turrets, gates, earthen walls, etc., all remain as they were in the Edo period, allowing visitors to witness the scene as it was in those days.
Akashi Strait Bridge
It is the world’s longest suspension bridge and a symbol of the connection between Honshu and Shikoku. The Akashi Kaikyo Bridge is a highway and can be passed by car, motorcycle, or bus. It is not accessible by bicycle or on foot.
Arima Onsen
Arima Onsen, located in Kita-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture, is one of the oldest hot spring resorts in Japan. Since ancient times, it has been loved by many people, including aristocrats and warlords.
The golden hot spring and the silver hot spring are two of the most popular hot spring spots in Arima Onsen. Kin-no-yu is a reddish-brown water that is said to be effective for neuralgia and muscular pain. The silver water is clear and colorless, and is said to be effective for beautiful skin.
Awaji Island
Awaji Island is located in the southern part of Hyogo Prefecture in the Seto Inland Sea. The coastline stretches for about 200 km, and visitors can enjoy a variety of landscapes, including sandy beaches and cliffs. Awaji Island is proud of its fresh seafood and mountain products. In particular, Awaji Island beef, Akashi octopus caught in the Akashi Straits, and Awaji Island onions are famous throughout Japan. Akashi-yaki, onion soup, seafood rice bowls, and other delicious foods made with Akashi octopus make it one of the islands you will want to visit again and again. In fact, I have visited three times in the past! Buy souvenirs at Michi no Eki Awaji (Roadside Station) located at the foot of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge and enjoy Akashiyaki, seafood rice bowls, and other gourmet foods. To get to Awaji Island, take the Shinkansen bullet train to Shin-Kobe Station and then take a highway bus for about 1 hour. You can also cross the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge by car or motorcycle.
Kobe Port
The Port of Kobe is one of the world’s leading international trading ports and flourishes as a gateway to the sea. Surrounded by mountains such as Mt. Rokko and Mt. Maya, it boasts beautiful scenery. The Port of Kobe is home to various tourist attractions such as Kobe Port Tower and Meriken Park.
Kobe Port Tower, known as the symbol of Kobe Port, is a 108-meter-high tower. From the observation deck, visitors can enjoy the beautiful view of Kobe Port and observe ships from all over the world as they call at the port.
Incidentally, I once visited Beppu on a car ferry called “Sunflower” operated by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines departing from Kobe Port.
Food culture
The food culture of Hyogo Prefecture is diverse and delicious.
Akashiyaki
This is a local dish representative of Hyogo Prefecture. It is made of a mixture of flour, hane flour, egg, and soup stock, topped with octopus, baked, and dipped in bonito broth. While Osaka’s takoyaki is eaten with sauce, mayonnaise, or dried bonito flakes poured over the top after baking, Akashiyaki is eaten dipped in dashi broth without any sauce. Akashi-yaki is very soft and fluffy like an omelet, so it is easy to fall apart when you grab it with chopsticks and requires a bit of skill to eat. Even Japanese people find it difficult to eat.
You can ask the clerk if they have spoons.
Kobe beef
This is the name for beef raised in Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture, among the Tajima cattle. It is characterized by its finely marbled meat and fine texture, and is one of the three most famous Japanese beef. It may be a little more expensive than other Wagyu beef, but once you try Kobe beef, you may find it so delicious that you cannot eat any other beef. Please try it when you visit Hyogo.
Awaji beef
This is the name for beef raised on Awaji Island. It is known as a brand beef along with Kobe Beef. Awaji beef, which is highly prized for its rarity, is a purebred Tajima Wagyu breed raised on Awaji Island. Strict certification standards have been established, and only about 150 to 200 heads of the breed are available each year. When you visit Awaji Island, why not enjoy this rare beef? In Japan, there are beef cattle like Awaji beef, which are raised on remote islands and have a low distribution volume. We hope this blog will be useful so that you can encounter gourmet foods that can only be found here.
Ikanago no kugini
It is a springtime tradition in Hyogo Prefecture. It is a dish in which young squid eggs caught in the Seto Inland Sea are stewed in a sweet and spicy sauce of soy sauce, mirin (sweet cooking sake), and sugar. Ikanago nigiri-ni (squid roe stew) can be eaten as a snack with sake or served with white rice. In Japan, there is a culture called “nimono,” in which ingredients are simmered in a combination of soy sauce and sugar. The ingredients to be boiled vary throughout the country, but all simmered dishes go very well with white rice and are one of the healthiest dishes that have been served from generation to generation since ancient times.
Botan nabe
A nabe dish eaten in northern Hyogo Prefecture, it is one of Japan’s representative gibier dishes. It is characterized by its rich flavor of wild boar meat and vegetables stewed in a combination of white and red miso. It is also eaten in Tokyo and Osaka, but is said to have originated in Hyogo Prefecture. Wild boar meat has a slightly peculiar taste, but the miso-based broth softens the peculiarity, so even first-timers can enjoy it as if it were pork. I like it very much.
Izushi soba
It is a local dish of Izushi Town, Hyogo Prefecture. Thin, flat noodles are served with a light soy sauce-based broth. Usually, five servings are enough for one person. There are many different types of soba in Japan, but Izushi soba is one of the most unusual soba in the country. I have never had it, but I am sure that this Izushi soba is also delicious, as soba from all regions of Japan is quite good.
Activities
Hyogo Prefecture offers a wide variety of activities.
Akashi Kaikyo Bridge Bridge World
If you participate in an infratourism program called Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge World, you can learn about the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge inside the Anchorage, which is normally closed to visitors. Advance reservations are required and there is a fee for this service.
Night view of Port of Kobe
It is one of the three most beautiful nightscapes in the world. There are many spots where you can enjoy the night view, such as Kobe Harbor Land, Meriken Park, and Kobe Port Tower. How about a plan to enjoy Kobe beef steak at a restaurant with a beautiful bayside night view? Your trip to Japan will be of a higher quality.
Tour of a hot spring
Hyogo Prefecture is home to Arima Onsen, one of the three best hot springs in Japan. If you come to Japan, you should definitely experience the hot spring culture. You can learn about the uniquely Japanese “Zen” spirit, heal your travel-weary body in the hot springs, and maintain your health. In addition to Arima Onsen, there are also Kinosaki Onsen, Sumoto Onsen on Awaji Island, and Ako Onsen, and we recommend that you plan to experience multiple hot springs.
Awaji Yumebutai
Awaji Yumebutai is a cultural resort complex in Awaji City, Hyogo Prefecture. Architect Tadao Ando was in charge of the grand design, and it opened in 1998. The view of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge from Awaji Yumebutai is breathtaking. At night, visitors can enjoy the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge illuminated.
Rokko Garden Terrace
From Rokko Garden Terrace, visitors can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view from the Akashi Straits to the Osaka Plain and Kansai International Airport. In particular, the night view, also known as the “10 million dollar night view,” is one of the most spectacular in Japan. In addition to the observatory, there are various facilities such as restaurants, cafes, stores, and a playground. The attraction is that visitors can enjoy themselves all day long. To get to Rokko Garden Terrace, take the city bus, the Rokko Cable, or the shuttle bus.
Seasonal Recommendations
Hyogo Prefecture has charms in all four seasons.
Spring
Spring in Hyogo Prefecture is the season of cherry blossoms, rape blossoms, and many other flowers.
Cherry blossom viewing spot
- Himeji Castle: Himeji Castle, registered as a World Heritage Site, is also famous for its cherry blossoms. The view of the cherry blossoms from the castle tower is truly spectacular.
- Kobe Harborland: Located on the waterfront of Kobe Port, Kobe Harborland is home to approximately 600 cherry trees in full bloom. At night, visitors can enjoy the illumination of the cherry blossoms.
- Rokko: Mt. Rokko is a mountain approximately 900 meters above sea level. From the top of the mountain, one can see the Akashi Straits and the Osaka Plain. It is also known as a cherry blossom viewing spot, with approximately 1,000 cherry trees in full bloom near the summit.
Field of rape blossoms
Hyogo Prefecture is home to vast rape blossom fields, including Awaji Island and the Tamba Plateau. In particular, the rape blossom fields on Awaji Island offer a breathtaking view of approximately 4 million rape blossoms in full bloom.
Summer
Summer in Hyogo Prefecture is the best season to enjoy outdoor activities such as swimming and camping.
Sea bathing
Hyogo Prefecture has many beaches, including Akashi Coast and Awaji Island. The Akashi Coast is popular for its shallow waters, calm waves, and excellent beaches. Awaji Island has been developed as a beach resort and offers a variety of activities.
Camp
There are various campgrounds in Hyogo Prefecture, including Mt. Rokko and Tamba Kogen. Rokko is a mountain about 900 meters above sea level, where you can enjoy camping in a rich natural environment. Tamba Plateau is a plateau about 300 meters above sea level, and offers a vast area for camping.
Autumn
Autumn in Hyogo Prefecture is the season of autumn leaves and new rice. It is also the season for tasty marbled Kobe beef.
Autumn Foliage
- Mt. Rokko: This 900-meter-high mountain is surrounded by rich nature. The summit commands a panoramic view of the Akashi Straits and the Osaka Plain. The mountain is also known for its autumn foliage, with approximately 1,000 maple trees in full bloom near the summit.
- Tamba Plateau: A plateau about 300 meters above sea level, this vast site is planted with various kinds of trees. It is also known as a famous autumn foliage viewing spot, with approximately 100 different types of trees in the approximately 200 hectares of land.
- Arima Onsen: One of the oldest hot spring resorts in Japan. The hot spring resort area is famous for its many autumnal foliage and attracts many tourists in the fall.
Winter
Winter in Hyogo Prefecture is the best season to enjoy winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding. Visitors can also enjoy hot springs and illumination.
Skiing and Snowboarding
Hyogo Prefecture is home to many ski resorts, including Mt. Rokko and Hachikita Ski Resort. Rokko is a 900-meter-high mountain with courses that can be enjoyed by beginners and experts alike. Hachikita Ski Resort is about 1,000 meters above sea level and is famous for its powder snow.
Hot spring
Hyogo Prefecture is home to many hot spring resorts, including Arima Onsen and Kinosaki Onsen. Arima Onsen is one of the oldest hot spring resorts in Japan and boasts an abundance of hot spring water and spring quality. Kinosaki Onsen is one of the three oldest hot springs in Japan and has an attractive hot spring town full of emotion. Both of these hot springs offer the best open-air baths in winter!
Illumination
Hyogo Prefecture is home to a variety of illumination spots, including Himeji Castle and Kobe Port Harbor Land. The illumination of Himeji Castle is held every winter and is known as one of the best illumination spots in Japan. The Port of Kobe Harbor Land Illumination uses approximately 1 million LED bulbs to create a fantastic sight.
Local Culture
Hyogo Prefecture has its own unique festivals and culture.
Festival
Typical festivals in Hyogo Prefecture include the following
Kobe Festival
Held annually on August 15 and 16, it is the largest festival in Kobe. It is one of the three major summer festivals in Japan, attracting approximately one million visitors.
Awaji Island Octopus Festival
Held every year on the second Saturday and Sunday of October, this is the most famous festival on Awaji Island. Various dishes using octopus and events such as octopus dancing are held.
Danjiri Festival
In Hyogo Prefecture, Danjiri festivals are held in spring and fall in many areas. Danjiri are floats that are carried like portable shrines and parade through the town.
Traditional craft
Traditional crafts in Hyogo Prefecture include the following
Banshu abacus
Made in Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture, it is one of the world’s three major abacuses.
Tanbayaki
Made in Tamba City, Hyogo Prefecture, this pottery is made of black clay.
Transportation
Access to Hyogo Prefecture is very convenient, with Kobe Airport and Kansai International Airport available. JR and Shinkansen trains are also available, providing easy access for tourists.
Airplane
Kobe Airport is located approximately one hour from the center of Kobe City. Direct flights are available from Haneda Airport and Narita Airport.
Shinkansen
It takes about 30 minutes from Shin-Osaka Station to Kobe Station by Shinkansen bullet train.
Express Bus
It takes about 8 hours from Tokyo Station to Kobe Station by bus.
Lastly
Hyogo Prefecture is one of Japan’s leading tourist destinations, combining a variety of attractions. It is visited by many tourists from all over the world. It is one of the regions of Japan that I would like to recommend to everyone who visits this blog.