Hyogo Prefecture
A large Kansai prefecture spanning the Sea of Japan and the Seto Inland Sea, with the port city of Kobe, Himeji Castle and Kinosaki Onsen.
Hyogo Prefecture lies in the western part of Japan's Kansai region on Honshu, facing the Sea of Japan to the north and the Seto Inland Sea to the south, and also includes Awaji Island. Kobe is a cosmopolitan port city, best known for the Kitano foreign residences, the harbor night view and Kobe beef, with Mt. Rokko and Arima Onsen close by. Himeji Castle is one of Japan's best-preserved castles and a World Heritage Site. In the north, Kinosaki Onsen is famous for its tour of seven public bathhouses, and in winter you can enjoy snow crab. It suits all seasons, and the northern hot springs are especially good in winter. The San'yo Shinkansen stops at Kobe and Himeji, and both Kobe Airport and Kansai Airport are within reach.
Destinations
Itineraries
- Classic Kansai: Kyoto, Nara, Osaka & Himeji – A classic introductory Kansai route connecting Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, and Himeji by rail.
- Japan Golden Route: Tokyo, Hakone, Kansai & Hiroshima – Travel west from Tokyo through Hakone, Kyoto, Nara, and Himeji to Hiroshima, returning to Osaka for departure.
- Kyoto and Day Trips to Amanohashidate and Mount Koya – Use Kyoto Station as your base, combining classic city sights with a day trip to Uji and Amanohashidate and Ine, plus a…
- Northern Kansai: Amanohashidate, Ine, Kinosaki & Takeda Castle – Travel from Kyoto to the Sea of Japan to see Amanohashidate and the Ine Funaya, soak in Kinosaki's public baths, and cl…
- Awaji Island North-to-South – Cross the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge from Kobe to see Tadao Ando's architecture and flower fields, stay in Sumoto, and watch…
- Osaka First-Timer's Classics and a Day in Nara – Dotonbori at night, the deer park and ancient temples of Nara, and Osaka Castle and Shinsekai, covering the highlights…
- Osaka Family Trip: Universal Studios Japan and Osaka Aquarium in – Stay in the Bay Area and spend a full day at Universal Studios Japan, plus Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, the Tempozan Ferris…
- Osaka Food Markets and Nightlife – Dotonbori, Kuromon Market, Shinsekai kushikatsu, Tenjinbashisuji and Tsuruhashi yakiniku: a food-focused tour of Osaka'…
- Deep Osaka: Old Streets, Museums and the Northern Suburbs – Nakanoshima, the old streets of Tenjin, Minoh and Expo Park in the north, Horyu-ji in Nara, plus Sumiyoshi Taisha and E…
- Osaka as Base: Kyoto, Nara and Mount Koya – Stay in Namba, take day trips to Kyoto and Nara, then spend one night in a Mount Koya temple lodging to experience morn…
- Sanyo & Setouchi Classic Rail Tour – A first-timer's route using the Shinkansen to connect Himeji, Kurashiki, Naoshima, Onomichi, Hiroshima, and Miyajima.
- San'in Sea of Japan Railway Traverse – From Kyoto to Shin-Yamaguchi, travel along the Sea of Japan to visit hot springs, sand dunes, Izumo, Iwami Ginzan, and…