Information

Hyogo Prefecture is composed of various areas from big cities to rural villages and remote islands, and it is said to be a “microcosm of Japan” because you can enjoy various leisure activities such as swimming, skiing, and hot springs through various climates and climates. Due to the wide area of the prefecture, the climate is varied. It is roughly divided into three areas: the Seto Inland Sea side, the central mountainous area, and the Sea of Japan side.
The Seto Inland Sea side is a region with little rainfall and is warm and comfortable, but the Sea of Japan side is a region with a lot of cloudy rain and a lot of snowfall due to the Siberian monsoon in winter.

Access

About an hour and a half drive from Kyoto to the center of Hyogo prefecture

5 MUST-SEE spots

Himeji castle

Himeji Castle, which was registered as Japan’s first UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site along with Horyuji Temple in Nara, is one of the most extant castles in Japan and is recognized around the world. From the white walls of the white plaster basket, it is known as “Shirasagi Castle” and looks down on the city in an elegant manner.

Information

Address:
〒670-0012 68 Honmachi, Himeji City

Business hours: Normal season (other than summer): 9:00 to 16:00, gate closed at 17:00 ・ Summer (April 27 to August 31) 9:00 to 17:00, gate closed at 18:00
Regular holiday: December 29th-December 30th
Price: [Admission fee] Adult 1,000 yen, Elementary school to high school students 300 yen
(Group discount * 2 discount for 30 people or more)
[Himeji Castle / Kokoen Common Ticket] Adult 1,040 yen, Elementary school to high school students 360 yen
Parking: none
Access: About 20 minutes on foot from public transportation JR “Himeji Station”
About 20 minutes from Sanyo Electric Railway “Himeji Station”
Car Sanyo Expressway “Himeji Higashi IC” → About 15 minutes from Bantan Renraku Road “Hanada IC”
About 30 minutes from “Himeji Nishi IC”
About 20 minutes from Himeji Bypass “Nakachi Ramp”

Arima Onsen (Hot spring)

Arima Onsen, located at the northern foot of Mt. Rokko, is one of the three ancient hot springs in Japan and one of the three famous springs in Japan. It is also known that Toyotomi Hideyoshi loved it, and even now, the old-fashioned hot spring town spreads out. There are 2 communal baths, 5 spring source tours, and many inns where you can take a day trip bath, so you can enjoy the hot spring tours.

Information

Address: Arima-cho, Kita-ku, Kobe 651-1401
Price: Free
Parking: None
Access: Public transportation About 48 minutes by bus from JR Shin-Kobe Station, about 33 minutes by bus from JR Sannomiya Station, get off at Arima Onsen
Inquiry: Arima Onsen Tourist Information Center
TEL: 078-904-0708
H.P: http://www.arima-onsen.com/

Takeda Castle Ruins

Takeda Castle Ruins, located on the summit of a mountain at an altitude of 353.7 meters, is a nationally designated important cultural property (historic site). It is said that Tajima’s guardian daimyo Yamana Sozen laid the foundation during the Kakitsu era, and Hideyoshi’s conquest of Tajima at the behest of Oda Nobunaga caused the castle to fall. After that, it is said that the last castle owner, Hirohide Akamatsu, maintained a magnificent masonry castle, and it was selected as one of the “100 Fine Castles of Japan”.

Information

Address: 169 Kojoyama, Takeda, Wadayama-cho, Asago-shi, 669-5252
Business hours: There are also restrictions on mountain entry, so please be sure to check from the information.
Price: 500 yen for high school students and above
Parking: Available 100 cars (Yamashiro no Sato)
Access: Approximately 10 minutes by taxi from JR “Takeda Station” on public transportation
Approximately 15 minutes from the car Bantan Renraku Road “Wadayama JCT”
Inquiries: Information Center: Castle in the Sky
TEL: 079-674-2120
FAX: 079-674-0130
H.P: http://wadayama.jp/takedajyoseki

Kinosaki Onsen (Hot spring)

A hot spring town that stretches along the Otani River, a tributary of the Maruyama River. Boasting a history of 1,400 years, one of the attractions is visiting the 7 outdoor hot springs (communal baths) such as Kounoyu and Mandarayu. It is a hot spring resort loved by writers, and has become known throughout Japan as the setting for Naoya Shiga’s “At Kinosaki”.
In addition, Kiyamachikouji, which opened in the summer of 2008, has created a “Japanese bustling” in the Kinosaki Onsen district, and is lined with attractive stores such as healing, food, and souvenirs.

Information

Address: Yushima, Kinosaki-cho, Toyooka-shi, 669-6101
Business hours: Mandarayu / Yanagiyu 15: 00-23: 00, Kounoyu / Goshonoyu / Ichinoyu / Jizoyu 7: 00-23: 00 (all admission is until 22:30) “Satonoyu” Will be changed from 13:00 to 21:00
Regular holidays: Satonoyu (Monday), Goshonoyu (1st and 3rd Thursday), Kounoyu (Tuesday), Ichinoyu (Wednesday), Jizoyu (Friday), Mandarayu (Wednesday), Yanagiyu (Yanagiyu) wood)
Fee: Bathing fee 600-800 yen (300-400 yen for elementary school students and younger)
Parking: None
Access: Immediately from public transportation JR “Kinosaki Onsen Station”
Inquiries: Kinosaki Onsen Tourism Association
TEL 0796-32-3663
H.P http://www.kinosaki-spa.gr.jp/

Akashi Kaikyo Bridge

The longest suspension bridge in the world with a total length of 3,911m that crosses the Akashi Strait and connects Honshu and Awaji Island. The more nicknamed the Pearl Bridge, the more beautiful its appearance, and the design changes depending on the time of day when illuminated at night, creating a fantastic landscape. In addition, “Akashi Kaikyo Bridge World” is a surprising and moving experience that Hyogo Prefecture is proud of, where you can experience a 360-degree panorama at the main tower about 300m above sea level through a management passage that is normally inaccessible. The tour leader who was involved in the construction of the bridge will happily guide you through the technology and history of the bridge.

Information

Address: Higashimaiko-cho, Tarumi-ku, Kobe 655-0047
Price: Akashi Kaikyo Bridge World tour experience is 3,000 yen for adults and 1,500 yen for junior high school students
Parking: Available 200 yen per hour
Access: Approximately 5 minutes on foot from “Maiko Station” on the JR Kobe Line, approximately 4km southwest of “Takamaru IC” on Daini Shinmei Road
Contact: Bridge World Secretariat
TEL: 078-784-3396
H.P: https://www.jb-honshi.co.jp/bridgeworld/index.html