Hyogo tourist information
Hyogo has a variety of tourist places, including scenic sites created by abundant nature, hot springs loved by famous writers and artists, and historic and cultural heritages such as Himeji Castle.
Hyogo Prefecture enjoys multi-faceted climatic and geographical features due to its vast land area extending vertically from the Japan Sea in the north to the Seto Inland Sea in the south. The Hachi Highlands located in the northern Tajima District is one of the most popular ski resorts in the Kansai region, where off-season activities such as camping and hiking can also be enjoyed. The Yotakuji Temple in Sanda City is famous as a major flower viewing spot, where as many as 3.5 million irises of about 650 species blossom in June and July. The Maya View Line is a cable ropeway near downtown Kobe, from which both the scenic cityscape of Kobe and the panoramic view of the sea can be enjoyed. Across the Akashi Straits from the Honshu mainland toward Awaji Island is Awaji Yumebutai, where greenery was beautifully restored to a former gravel quarry used for reclaiming land for the Kansai International Airport. The Awaji Yumebutai consists of a luxury hotel, international conference center, greenhouse, restaurants, and a national government park. In Awaji Island people can also visit a museum preserving the Nojima Fault, which was exposed to the ground surface when the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake occurred, and the Awajishima Bokujo farm park, where visitors can pet various animals. In the Naruto Straits lying between Awaji Island and Shikoku, large-scale whirlpools are major tourist attractions.
There are many famous hot springs in Hyogo. Arima Hot Springs is one of the oldest hot springs in Japan. It was allegedly fancied by a famous feudal warlord, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and there still remains in Arima various reminders of his days. Kinosaki Hot Springs located in the Tajima District has a history of about 1,400 years. There, visitors enjoy touring the seven public baths while strolling through old and nostalgic streets lined with willow trees. Also in the Tajima District is Yumura Hot Springs, which has an 1150-year-old history. The 98KC water from the springhead can even be used to boil eggs. There are many other hot spring resorts of every size in various parts of Hyogo and they are all prepared to welcome visitors in a hospitable manner.
In Hyogo Prefecture, there remain many old and cultural sites that often played a significant role in Japanese history. Such tangible and intangible cultural and traditional heritages still remaining in various parts of the region appeal to many visitors. Himeji Castle, also known as the White Heron Castle, still preserves the original exterior appearance and interior structure that have been kept unchanged since its construction. This national treasure was also inscribed on the World Heritage List of UNESCO. The Kogenji Temple constructed in the Tamba District some 680 years ago is famous for its beautiful turning of the leaves. A maple tree that is said to have been brought back from China turns its color to a particularly beautiful bright red. Built in Izushi Town of the Tajima District in 1871, the Shinko-ro drum tower, which was used to announce the time by beating the drum every hour, is now preserved as a symbolic clocktower of the Town. The Nishinomiya Shrine is known for enshrining the god of happiness and business success. More than a million people visit the Nishinomiya Shrine for the famous Toka Ebisu festival held on or around January 10 ("toka" in Japanese) every year. The Nada Festival is the autumn festival of the Matsubara Yahata Shrine in Himeji City. It is also known as the Nada Fighting Festival due to the wild movement of portable shrines that frequently run into each other. Those portable shrines as well as special stands lining up along streets attract many visitors every year. Ako City is a venue for a popular true-life story from the Edo era, known as the "Chushin-gura," which has also been featured in various novels and films. The parade of the Ako Loyal Samurai Festival called the Ako Gishi-sai, which reenacts the old days of Ako, is a must-see attraction for visitors. The Awaji Puppet Theater, a classical art in which a group of three skillful puppeteers manipulates one puppet, is an Important Intangible Cultural Heritage of Japan.
Hyogo aerial map
Please click on any icon on the Hyogo aerial tourist map, to find close by places, offering hotels and tourist information. You can zoom in and zoom out our touristical map as well as switch between satelite and map view of Hyogo.
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