A Hyogo Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors: Enjoy Its Many Charms

Located in northern Hyogo, the Tajima area is known for its abundant natural beauty, surrounded by the Sea of Japan and mountains.
You can enjoy seasonal outdoor activities such as skiing, swimming, and camping.
Another feature is the many hot spring resorts scattered throughout the area, with Kinosaki Onsen being especially popular alongside Arima Onsen.
The charming hot spring town is one of its main draws, and you should enjoy Kinosaki Onsen while hopping between its public bathhouses.
Another highlight is the Takeda Castle Ruins, one of Japan’s 100 Famous Castles and also an Important Cultural Property designated by the national government.
They sit on a mountaintop at an elevation of around 350 m, and under the right conditions a sea of clouds can form.
If you are lucky, you may see the fantastical Takeda Castle Ruins floating above the clouds.
The area also offers excellent food, including specialties such as Tajima beef and matsuba crab, as well as local dishes like sara soba.

The Tamba area lies in northeastern Hyogo and is a peaceful region of forests and rural landscapes.
One of its defining features is its wide range of local specialties, including matsutake mushrooms, black soybeans, and local sake, all widely known across Japan under the Tamba brand.
It is also famous for Tamba ware, a traditional style of pottery.
The beautiful colors that appear after firing are distinctly Japanese, making it a great souvenir choice.
Tamba prospered as a key transportation hub on the route to Kyoto, the former capital, so many places still retain the atmosphere of old castle towns and post towns.
In particular, Kawaramachi Tsumairi Merchant Houses and the Kaibara Domain Jinya Ruins are recommended sightseeing spots where you can enjoy a historic atmosphere and a sense of stepping out of everyday life.

The Settsu area stretches across southeastern Hyogo and includes Kobe, one of the prefecture’s most popular and well-known sightseeing destinations.
Kobe is known for its sophisticated port-town atmosphere and the streets of Kitano Ijinkan-Gai, an area filled with international charm.
The night view from the observation points on Mt. Rokko is another of Kobe’s attractions, and its beauty has earned it a place among Japan’s three best night views.
At the foot of Mt. Rokko is Arima Onsen, one of the Kansai region’s most famous hot spring resorts.
Another feature of the wider area, beyond Kobe itself, is the abundance of large commercial facilities and cultural institutions.
Among them, the Takarazuka Osamu Tezuka Memorial Museum is especially recommended as a sightseeing spot unique to Japan, with many valuable exhibits related to the world-famous manga artist Osamu Tezuka.
If you are a fan of Japan’s anime and manga culture, it is a place you will want to visit at least once.

Located in southwestern Hyogo, the Harima area is known for its many spots rich in historic atmosphere.
By strolling through its many castles and castle towns, you can experience Japanese history and culture firsthand.
Harima is also home to Himeji Castle, one of Hyogo’s most iconic sightseeing spots.
Himeji Castle is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is also called Shirasagi-jo, or White Heron Castle, because of its beautiful white plaster exterior.
The castle town is dotted with shrines, temples, gardens, and monuments, allowing you to fully enjoy its historic charm.

Awaji Island lies in the eastern Seto Inland Sea and floats south of Hyogo. It is also known as the Awaji area.
Kobe and Awaji Island are connected by the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, while Awaji is also linked to Tokushima in Shikoku by the Onaruto Bridge.
In Japan’s oldest historical texts, the Nihon Shoki and Kojiki, Awaji Island is said to have been created before Japan’s main island of Honshu, and it is known as an important region in ancient Japan.
For this reason, shrines associated with the myth of Japan’s birth can be found across the island.
Among them, Izanagi Jingu Shrine is famous as a power spot and attracts many visitors seeking blessings for marital harmony and relationships.
Awaji is also known as the Island of Flowers, where you can enjoy stunning views of the Seto Inland Sea and mountains colored by seasonal blooms.
With abundant local specialties such as onions and beef, it is also one of Hyogo’s most popular sightseeing areas.

On the first day of this model course, you will soak up the international atmosphere of Kitano Ijinkan-Gai and then experience uniquely Japanese culture through a shrine and hot springs.
You can also enjoy a day trip to Arima Onsen, one of Japan’s finest hot spring resorts, while taking in the spectacular views from Mt. Rokko.
In just one day, you will be able to fully enjoy some of Kobe’s most popular spots.

On the second day, the main focus is visiting Himeji Castle, one of Hyogo’s most iconic sights, while also enjoying a temple famous as a film location and scenery unique to Hyogo.
You can also go shopping, so pick up some local specialties or a favorite item as a souvenir.

Kobe beef, the wagyu brand Japan proudly presents to the world, is one of Hyogo’s signature ingredients.
It is often counted among Japan’s three great wagyu varieties, and many tourists visit Hyogo and Kobe specifically to eat it.
Kobe beef is known for its natural sweetness and its melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Its fine marbling and low fat melting point create a flavor that seems to dissolve in your mouth.
Kobe beef is used in many dishes, but steak is especially recommended because it lets you savor the meat’s natural flavor.
Centered around Kobe, Hyogo has many restaurants where Kobe beef is cooked on a teppan grill right in front of you.
Dinner can be expensive, but many places also offer it casually at lunch, so be sure to give it a try.

Akashiyaki is a local dish beloved in Akashi City.
It is made by preparing a batter with flour, jinko starch, eggs, and broth, then adding octopus and cooking it.
It is one of Japan’s popular casual local foods eaten by dipping it in broth, and is said to be the origin of takoyaki, the famous local dish of Osaka.
Jinko is wheat starch made by removing gluten from flour.
Within Hyogo Prefecture, it has long been affectionately called tamagoyaki, but nationwide it is better known as Akashiyaki.
Its soft, fluffy texture is distinctive, and the delicate umami of the broth in both the dipping soup and the batter makes it delicious. It is perfect for lunch or a snack.

Sobameshi is a dish made by chopping sauce-flavored yakisoba and stir-frying it together with rice.
It originated in Kobe as a casual local dish and is also enjoyed as home cooking.
The basic method is similar to making sauce yakisoba or fried rice.
After stir-frying ingredients such as meat and vegetables, Chinese noodles and rice are added, then everything is stir-fried further while chopping the noodles into smaller pieces.
The basic seasoning is salt, pepper, and sauce, though aonori seaweed flakes or fish powder are often added to taste.
The type of sauce used varies, including tonkatsu sauce and Worcestershire sauce, depending on the household or restaurant.
The sauce-seasoned fried rice has a rich, addictive flavor.
Stir-frying gives both the rice and noodles a loose, light texture, and the way they blend together in your mouth is part of what makes sobameshi unique.
It is also easy to share, which makes it appealing to enjoy alongside other local dishes.