Kobe beef神戸ビーフ
Famously marbled wagyu, often cooked on a teppanyaki grill in front of you in Kobe.
Kansai
Hyogo Travel Guide
Local tips, regional food and places off the tourist trail
A large prefecture stretching from the Seto Inland Sea to the Sea of Japan. Highlights are the port city of Kobe, Himeji Castle, and the hot spring towns of Arima and Kinosaki.
Open Hyogo on the map39 places on the map · 7 local favourites
Local tips
- TipHimeji is quick to reach from Osaka or Kobe by Shinkansen or JR Special Rapid; the castle is a walk from the station.
- DoIn Kinosaki, stroll between the seven public bathhouses in yukata, as guests of local inns do.
- TipArima Onsen, one of Japan’s oldest hot springs, is an easy half-day trip from central Kobe.
- TipWinter is crab season on the Sea of Japan coast, and Kinosaki fills up with visitors then.
- TipOn autumn mornings, the Takeda Castle ruins can appear to float above a sea of fog.
What to eat
Akashiyaki明石焼
Soft, eggy octopus dumplings from Akashi, dipped in light dashi instead of sauce.
Sobameshiそばめし
Chopped yakisoba noodles and rice stir-fried together on a hotplate, a Kobe comfort food.
Local favourites
Places mostly visited by people who live here — quieter, and often the highlight of a trip.
Toyooka Kaban Street
豊岡カバンストリート ShoppingA shopping street in Toyooka, Japan's bag-making capital, with shops selling locally made bags.
● Mostly localsAkashi Municipal Planetarium
明石市立天文科学館 ExperiencesA planetarium on the Japan Standard Time meridian, with an observatory tower and one of Japan's oldest working projectors.
● Mostly localsKiyoshikojin Seicho-ji
清荒神清澄寺 Temples & GoshuinchoA temple in Takarazuka devoted to the god of the kitchen and fire, with a long shopping street on the approach.
● Mostly localsTachikui Sue no Sato
立杭 陶の郷 ShoppingExperiencesA pottery village in Tamba showcasing Tamba ware, one of Japan's six ancient kilns. Try a pottery class.
● Mostly localsSasayama Kawaramachi
河原町妻入商家群 Sights & HistoryA preserved merchant quarter in Tamba-Sasayama with gabled houses and small shops. Try the black soybeans the area is famous for.
● Mostly localsYumura Onsen
湯村温泉 Hot SpringsA hot spring town in northern Hyogo with a very hot spring where you can boil eggs.
● Mostly localsGenbudo Cave
玄武洞 Nature & SceneryStriking columns of basalt near Toyooka, formed by volcanic activity. A geological landmark that gave its name to a type of rock.
● Mostly localsThe famous sights
The places most visitors come for. Worth it — just go early.
Himeji Castle
姫路城 Sights & HistoryJapan's finest original castle, a brilliant white keep nicknamed the White Heron. Climb the steep wooden stairs to the top floor, then relax in Koko-en next door.
Kobe Chinatown (Nankinmachi)
南京町 Local FoodA compact, lively Chinatown in Motomachi packed with street food stalls selling pork buns, dumplings and Peking duck wraps. Eat as you stroll around the central plaza.
Kitano Ijinkan
北野異人館街 Sights & HistoryA hillside district of Western-style houses built by foreign merchants in Kobe. Many are open as museums; the Weathercock House is the icon.
Kobe Port Tower
神戸ポートタワー Sights & HistoryKobe's red lattice tower on the harbour, with views over the port and mountains. Especially pretty lit up at night.
Ikuta Shrine
Temples & GoshuinchoIkuta Shrine is a celebrated Shinto shrine in the heart of Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, and one of Japan's oldest and most iconic places of worship. It attracts visitors…
Arima Onsen Kin no Yu
金の湯 Hot SpringsA public bath in Arima Onsen with iron-rich reddish-brown water. One of Japan's oldest hot spring towns.
Meriken Park
メリケンパーク NightlifeSights & HistoryKobe's harbourfront park with the BE KOBE sign and a view of the Port Tower. Beautiful at night.
Mouriya Honten
モーリヤ 本店 Local FoodOne of Kobe's oldest beef restaurants, grilling certified Kobe beef on a teppan in front of you. A classic place for a first taste of the real thing.