Hyogo Prefecture, blessed with a plethora of diverse landscapes, is often called a “microcosm of Japan.” Offering unique travel experiences that immerse visitors in the region’s distinct ecosystems, culture, and cuisine, the journey outlined below takes you through globally rare stork habitats to sensory Zen retreats and farm-to-table restaurants on Awaji Island to enjoy while rejuvenating mind and body—not to mention the many one-of-a-kind “Made in Hyogo” products on offer, such as comfortable wear crafted from Nishiwaki City ’s traditional Banshu-ori textiles, perfect as souvenirs.
In the past, Konotori (oriental white storks) disappeared from Japan due to the loss of their natural prey, such as frogs, caused by the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Hyogo Prefecture’s Toyooka City, their last habitat, launched the world’s first Oriental White Stork Reintroduction Promotion Plan in 2003. By restoring the rivers, farmland, and Satoyama woodland (secondary woods characteristic to Japan) landscapes, Toyooka successfully reintroduced the oriental white stork to the wild in 2005.
As of August 2024, around 400 storks now live in the wild across Japan, frequently seen in Toyooka City’s rice fields, the Maruyama River basin, and the Hachigoro Toshima Wetland. Although absent from the wild during certain seasons, the Toyooka Municipal Museum of the Oriental White Stork offers year-round viewing of oriental white storks under care.
Hyogo’s commitment to sustainability extends to food with Konotori rice, cultivated without pesticides, as part of an initiative using the “Konotori hagukumi” farming method that supports their reintroduction. You can enjoy this sustainable delicacy on the guided Oriental White Stork Observation Tour that includes stork-spotting and a lunch featuring Konotori rice—and by staying overnight in Toyooka or Kinosaki Onsen, you might just heighten your chances of encountering these majestic birds!
Awaji Island, situated in the eastern Seto Inland Sea, is renowned for its agricultural abundance, boasting a food self-sufficiency rate exceeding 100%. Known for onions, lettuce, beef, milk, sea bream, and hamo (pike conger eel), the island opened Awaji Nature Lab & Resort in 2021, embodying the philosophy that “true wealth resides in food.” The expansive 38,000-square-meter sustainable garden in northern Awaji champions eco-friendly farming practices.
At its heart is Haru San San, a farm-to-table restaurant that epitomizes the essence of sustainable agriculture. Surrounded by lush fields where vegetables are cultivated through circular farming practices, the unique dining experience here invites visitors to savor the flavors of the land.
Designed by renowned architect Shigeru Ban, a Pritzker Prize laureate celebrated for his innovative use of paper tubes in disaster relief housing, Haru San San is a masterful blend of tradition and modernity. The building incorporates traditional thatched-roof techniques with Ban’s signature eco-conscious design, featuring a hybrid structure of recycled paper tubes and minimal timber. The result is a sturdy yet light, environmentally mindful space that seamlessly blends craftsmanship with sustainability.
The most popular menu item is the Haru San San Set, which emphasizes vegetables as a main. A vibrant appetizer salad features about 16 types of seasonal vegetables, each prepared differently to highlight their textures. The dish is finished with locally sourced Awaji Island salt to enhance the vegetables’ natural flavors. The gazpacho, thickened with vegetable remnants, is a rich blend of non-standard tomatoes and carrots, offering a rich, bold taste. Their fresh pasta Bolognese, generously topped with Awaji beef, is another must-try.
Looking ahead, the resort will open 11 cottages designed by different architects, offering a “farm-inclusive lifestyle” experience. Each cottage will have an adjoining garden, allowing guests to enjoy next-generation farming practices while staying mindful of their health and the environment.
Nestled within Awaji Island’s lush nature, Zenbo Seinei is a Zen retreat also designed by Shigeru Ban. The prominent architect is known for projects like the Centre Pompidou-Metz in Paris and the Fujisan World Heritage Center in Shizuoka, and globally celebrated for his innovative use of wood in modern architecture.
Situated along Japan’s standard meridian at 135 degrees east, the retreat features a striking 100-meter-long wooden deck constructed from Japanese cedar. The first floor houses a lounge, 18 guest rooms, and a communal salon, while the second floor offers a serene space for Zen, meditation, and yoga, providing a sustainable way to harmonize both body and mind.
Meal plans emphasize Japan’s traditional fermentation culture, offering gentle, plant-based “Zenbo cuisine” free of animal products, wheat, oil, and sugar. Enjoy the tranquil views of Awaji Island’s expansive scenery as you reset your mind and body in this tranquil environment.
In anticipation of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Hyogo Prefecture has launched the Hyogo Field Pavilion, a prefecture-wide initiative for locals to showcase regional attractions. Awaji Island hosts 19 field pavilions, including the “Hometown of Awaji Island Onions! Minami Awaji City Japan Agricultural Heritage Tour.”
Designated as a Japanese Nationally Important Agricultural Heritage System, this region’s farming system integrates rice and onion cultivation with livestock farming, forming a sustainable production cycle dating back over 100 years. Rice straw is fed to dairy cows, whose manure is composted to enrich the soil.
The system shapes the distinctive landscape of Minami Awaji, featuring reservoirs built 1,700 years ago to combat water shortages, “onion sheds” for sun-and-wind drying, and nagaya-mon longhouse gates with integrated cattle barns. Breathing in the fresh country air while strolling through the picturesque village, where a historic traditional production cycle lives on still, is one of the highlights of this tour.
During harvest season, visitors can join farmers in the fields to pick onions and enjoy their fresh, sweet taste right on the spot. After a scenic village walk, participants can make onion jam, which can be enjoyed drizzled over chiffon cake and gelato made with freshly squeezed milk from a nearby dairy farm.
As you savor the natural sweetness of Awaji’s onions, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the unique landscape of Minami Awaji that nurtures their flavor—the ultimate sweet indulgence in nature.
Banshu-ori is a traditional cotton textile with a history that dates back to the late 18th century, originating from the Banshu region in western Hyogo Prefecture, including Nishiwaki City and Kato City.
A distinctive feature of Banshu-ori is its yarn-dyeing process, which brings out rich, vibrant colors.
Natural dyes are often used for Banshu-ori, making it an eco-friendly material. Its soft texture has helped it find popularity as a choice for clothing and household items.
Located in Nishiwaki City, tamaki niime continues this long tradition, creating and selling various Banshu-ori items, from shawls and dresses to long shirts. Each piece is entirely one-of-a-kind, and with all design, production, and sales handled in-house, the company attracts young artisans dedicated to passing on this traditional craft to future generations.
The tamaki niime also runs a sustainable project involving sheep and alpacas for wool production and grows its own cotton, ensuring full control over materials and resources.
At Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, visitors can explore the future of technology and experience global food cultures as they tour pavilions from around the world. A major highlight of the expo is its diverse food offerings—from international cuisine served in expansive food halls to pavilions showcasing the best of their national dishes. To enrich this […]
Surrounded by verdant mountains and splendid seas, Hyogo is a treasure trove of premium ingredients for gourmet cuisine. While Kobe beef stands out, Hyogo is also home to seafood such as Kasumi red snow crab, Akashi sea bream, and Awaji conger eel, which have legions of devoted fans. Here, we introduce some must-try delicacies when visiting Hyogo.
Only about 2 hours and 20 minutes by JR Limited Express from Kyoto—no transfers required—lies the easily accessible hot spring resort of Kinosaki Onsen. Alongside Kinosaki, Yumura Onsen is considered one of the two major onsen destinations in the Tajima area. Surrounded by stunning natural landscapes, the region is blessed with fresh seafood from the Sea of Japan and mountain delicacies nurtured by beautiful forests and pristine waters.
Himeji is home to romantic ancient castle ruins and Buddhist temples with over a thousand years of history, many of which have been featured in classic films. Embrace your imagination as you embark on a journey that lets you step into the shoes of characters from famous films.
Awaji Island is located in the eastern part of the Seto Inland Sea. Despite its small size, it’s easily accessible and dotted with numerous tourist spots, making it a popular destination among visitors in recent years. The island is perfect for a drive, as you can circle it in about four hours by car. Read on as we introduce some of the island’s must-see spots.
Located just over two hours from Kyoto by express train, Toyooka City in northern Hyogo Prefecture is a haven of natural beauty, fully designated as part of the San’in Kaigan UNESCO Global Geopark. With its pristine blue seas, dazzling white beaches, and fascinating geological formations writ with Earth’s history, Hyogo offers an abundance of scenic spots and year-round activities where you can immerse yourself in nature.
Hyogo Prefecture is home to one of Japan’s oldest pilgrimage routes, the Saikoku Kannon Pilgrimage. The core values that form the foundation of the Japanese spirit—respect for manners and a deep appreciation for things—have been nurtured through the nature and people encountered along this pilgrimage.
Hyogo Prefecture offers awe-inspiring sights: a towering wooden castle with a pristine white facade, the dazzling “million-dollar” night view, and one of the world’s largest whirlpools. These extraordinary vistas showcase the harmonious interplay of nature’s artistry, the ingenuity of past generations, and the dedication of those who preserve them today. Visit the “Castle in the […]
Hyogo Prefecture, located near Kyoto and Osaka, is home to popular tourist destinations such as Kobe and Himeji Castle, which draw many international visitors. The region offers a variety of English-guided tours, enabling travelers to connect deeply with the local community and culture. This article highlights local travel experiences that celebrate the unique culture of […]
Hyogo Prefecture, nestled between mountains and sea, boasts cities with unique identities, from the cosmopolitan port city of Kobe to the historic hot spring town of Arima at the foot of Mount Rokko, one of Japan’s famed 100 mountains (hyaku meizan). Beyond their distinct charm, these towns are home to the cultural origins that have […]
Just 12 minutes by Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka lies Shin-Kobe, a station steeped in history. Over time, the area became a hub for foreign residents, quickly adopting Western culture—an influence that extended to the neighboring city of Takarazuka, earning its reputation as a town of culture and arts. Indeed, Hyogo Prefecture’s Kobe-Kitano, Sannomiya, and Takarazuka are picturesque at every turn, making them a hit with influencers. Over two days, we explored some of their top spots as selected by photographers.
A short boat ride from Himeji brings you to Ieshima, a tranquil fishing town where boats bob in the harbor and the day’s catch is displayed beneath seaside eaves. Wander sunlit lanes, greeted by friendly locals and lounging cats, and soon you’ll feel at home in island life. Cross the water again to Naoshima, where contemporary art and bold architecture transform the landscape, blending the everyday with the extraordinary in the heart of the Seto Inland Sea.
Crossing the tranquil Seto Inland Sea leads to Shodoshima, an island where salt and fermentation have shaped centuries of soy-sauce making. Here, the aroma of koikuchi soy sauce, brewed in wooden vats for over 400 years, mingles with the legacy of usukuchi soy sauce from Tatsuno, reflecting the delicate flavors essential to Kyoto cuisine. This journey invites you to experience Japan’s fermentation culture through its rich tastes, scents, and artisanal traditions.
When you travel, every dish you encounter reflects the land and culture from which it comes. In recent years, gastronomy tourism, a journey that explores not only cuisine itself but also the stories behind it, has been attracting attention worldwide. This time, the journey takes us to Kyoto, home to the refined art of lacquerware, and to Tamba-Sasayama in Hyogo Prefecture, renowned for its Tamba pottery. Guided by the Japanese sensibility of hare (the extraordinary) and ke (the everyday), we explore the rich world where food and tableware intertwine.
In the San’in region, red snow crab season opens in autumn, followed by Matsuba snow crab in winter – prime time for crab-focused trips. One of the hub towns is Hamasaka in Hyogo Prefecture, the only place in Japan where “crab sommeliers” host your meal, offering a singular dining experience found nowhere else. Using the hot-spring town of Hamasaka as a base, set off on a grand rail journey toward the Tottori Sand Dunes, taking in the dynamic vistas of the San’in Kaigan UNESCO Global Geopark along the way.
Hyogo Prefecture is famed for its scenic rail journeys. Among them, one of the most popular is the Tango AO-MATSU Train, which lets travelers explore both Hyogo and Kyoto while staying in the historic hot-spring town of Kinosaki Onsen. The journey begins in Kinosaki Onsen, about two and a half hours from Kobe, Osaka, or Kyoto by limited express train—a trip that connects hot springs, fine sake, and breathtaking views of the Sea of Japan.
Jun’ichiro Tanizaki, one of Japan’s foremost literary figures, vividly explored the “beauty of shadow” that dwells within Japanese architecture and daily life in his 1933 essay In Praise of Shadows. He wrote that the true essence of Japanese beauty lies not in brightness, but in the subtle interplay of light and shadow—the moon filtering through trees, the soft glow behind a shoji paper screen, the dim reflections upon lacquerware. One of the places that shaped Tanizaki’s aesthetic sensibility was Kyoto, the ancient capital. The quiet shadows that inhabit its temples and gardens deepened his literary world. Another retreat he frequented was Arima Onsen in Hyogo Prefecture.
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Arima Onsen, alongside Kusatsu Onsen (Gunma) and Gero Onsen (Gifu), is one of Japan’s sanmeisen, or “three famed hot springs.” Nestled in tranquil mountain settings, “Kansai’s hidden retreat” offers visitors not only healing waters to soak in but also numerous local gourmet delights, making it a much-loved getaway for both relaxation and culinary pleasure.