Hyogo Prefecture

Region · 🇯🇵 Japan

Population 5,453,392

Area 8,394 km²

Time zone Asia/Tokyo

Official website web.pref.hyogo.lg.jp

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Explore Hyogo Prefecture

Hyogo Prefecture's Absolute Essentials

Hyogo Prefecture spans from the Seto Inland Sea to the Sea of Japan, centered around the cosmopolitan port city of Kobe. The region features the 108-meter Kobe Port Tower and the preserved Western-style residences of Kitano Ijinkan. Natural landmarks include the multi-tiered Nunobiki Falls and the ancient Arima Onsen, one of Japan's oldest hot spring towns. To the north, the 15th-century Takeda Castle ruins sit atop a mountain, often appearing above a sea of clouds. Local culinary highlights include authentic Kobe beef and the vibrant stalls of Nankin-machi Chinatown.

12 places

Castles and Historic Sites

Hyogo Prefecture preserves a diverse architectural history, from the feudal fortifications of Takeda and Sasayama Castles to the Western-style districts of Kobe. Takeda Castle represents Sengoku-era mountain ruins, while Sasayama Castle showcases early Edo-period construction. In Kobe, the Kitano Ijinkan district and Kyu-Kyoryuchi 15-ban-kan highlight late 19th-century international influences, featuring preserved foreign residences and Japan’s only surviving original settlement building from the Meiji era, which was rebuilt after the 1995 earthquake.

5 places

Nature's Waterfalls and Monuments

Explore the natural landmarks of Hyogo Prefecture, featuring significant geological and biological sites. This collection includes the historic Nunobiki Falls, celebrated in Japanese literature, and the 98-meter-tall Tendaki Falls. The list also highlights ancient monuments like the 500-year-old Hatagami horse chestnut tree and the Omaki-zakura cherry tree. Visitors can also experience the Ritsuun-kyo valley, famous for its views of the 'sea of clouds' phenomenon surrounding the Takeda Castle ruins.

8 places

Notable Bridges

This selection features significant road bridges across Hyogo, Kyoto, and Tottori prefectures. It highlights essential infrastructure ranging from architectural landmarks in Takarazuka to vital links crossing the Minogawa and other regional rivers. The list includes sections of Prefectural Road 77, known for hosting the Hyogo Prefectural High School Ekiden relay race, and coastal routes like the Kasumi-Kumihama Line that connect Hyogo with the northern Kyoto coastline.

28 places

Parks and Gardens

Hyogo Prefecture features a diverse array of green spaces, from the traditional Meiji-era landscape of Sorakuen Garden in Kobe to the modern, architectural greenhouses of Kiseki No Hoshi on Awaji Island. The region includes historic sites like the Sengoku-period Takeda Castle ruins and Sasayama Castle's Edo-period grounds. For recreation, the area offers expansive seasonal flower fields at Awaji Hanasajiki and specialized facilities like the 1,400-meter long Hiraiso Marine Fishing Park.

7 places

Scenic Viewpoints

This collection features prominent vantage points across Hyogo Prefecture, ranging from the 108-meter-high Kobe Port Tower to the Shin-Kobe Ropeway, which climbs the slopes of Mount Rokko. The selection includes the 24th-floor observation deck at Kobe City Hall and specialized viewpoints overlooking the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge. These locations offer diverse perspectives of Osaka Bay, the Seto Inland Sea, and the region's mountainous terrain.

5 places