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 each area, from the famous hot spring towns of Arima and Yumura to the traditional port town of Shioya in Kobe and the historical sites scattered throughout Asago, all enriched by interactions with local residents.
Located in northwestern Hyogo, Yumura Onsen is a small hot spring town boasting 63 individual geothermal sources within a 400-meter radius. Its famous 98°C spring, Arayu, gushes 470 liters of hot water per minute. This abundant spring water has given rise to Yumura’s unique “boiling culture”—a tradition of cooking food in the hot springs, a practice that continues to this day.
Visitors can experience this tradition firsthand, as local shops and the Arayu Tourist Center sell ingredients specifically for boiling.
For a warm encounter with locals, visit Oba Café, located near Arayu. Set in a 130-year-old renovated traditional house, this unique café is run by a group of grandmothers, with an average age of 76, who offer a cozy and heartwarming atmosphere.
One must-try dish is the café’s signature “Oba’s First Love,” a chestnut-flavored ohagi (sweet rice ball). Made with local chestnuts and the rare Mikata Dainagon azuki beans, this treat has a perfectly balanced sweetness and nostalgic flavor.
For a heartier option, the “Onigiri Set” comes highly recommended. Featuring handmade rice balls paired with squid fermented in koji (inoculated rice culture) and spicy miso, the combination is a match made in heaven. It’s a great way to relax while waiting for your hot spring-cooked ingredients. There’s also a reservation-only “Oba Lunch” (1,600 yen, incl. tax) on offer—to book, call 0120-037-329 (Japanese-language only).
Located in the southern part of the Tajima region, Asago City is about a 1.5-hour drive from Kobe. It offers a refreshing escape into nature, where peaceful countryside landscapes are dotted with historical sites. For an immersive way to explore the area, join one of the guided cycling tours on offer.
Led by South Africa native Kevin Nell, Asago Cycling provides tours on electric-assist e-bikes, ensuring a comfortable ride. A standout option is the Ore Road Tour (20,000 yen per person, incl. tax, with lunch), which covers about 30 kilometers in 5–6 hours. The route follows the Gin no Bashamichi, a historical path tied to Japan’s silver and ore transportation, recognized as a Japan Heritage site.
During the tour, you can walk along old trolley tracks used for transporting ore, rest by the riverside, and visit highlights like the Former Mikobata Concentration Plant. While only the concrete foundations of this 1919 facility remain, the site’s imposing presence continues to captivate visitors.
Cycling through Asago offers the chance to immerse yourself in Japan’s pastoral beauty while uncovering historical gems—a rejuvenating and inspiring experience.
When people think of geisha, Kyoto usually comes to mind. Yet geisha culture thrives in other regions of Japan, including Hyogo Prefecture, home to the Arima Onsen geiko—the last remaining in the prefecture. These talented women uphold the traditions of exquisite dance, nagauta (traditional songs), and festive music. Located just 30 minutes from Kobe and about an hour from Osaka, Arima Onsen offers exceptional accessibility alongside its cultural riches.
While it is customary to invite geiko to perform at onsen inns or traditional restaurants, Geiko Café Ito provides a more casual way to experience their artistry. Located in Arima Onsen, this cozy café hosts active geiko who perform captivating dances and engage with guests. Various experiences are available, from private performances to in-person geiko encounters, making it an approachable entry point into this fascinating world.
One of the geiko, Ichina-san, shares her passion for preserving this tradition: “We must pass the baton of the Arima geiko onto the next generation. This culture is something that must be preserved.” Geiko Café Ito serves as a hub for promoting this unique heritage, drawing visitors not only from Japan but also from around the globe.
What makes this experience special is the opportunity to interact closely with the geiko immediately after watching their performances. This intimate connection offers a profound way to appreciate Japan’s graceful and refined culture, promising a journey filled with inspiration and discovery.
Arima doll brushes (Arima ningyo fude), also known as karakuri brushes, are a traditional craft from the Arima Onsen area in Hyogo Prefecture. These brushes are not only functional for calligraphy and painting but are also strikingly beautiful with intricate decorations that captivate the eye.
With a history spanning over 450 years, this exquisite craft now survives solely through Haifukiya Nishida Fude-ten in Arima Onsen. Each brush is painstakingly handcrafted with vibrant colors and intricate details that elevate them to works of art.
Visitors can experience this craftsmanship firsthand at Arima Onsen’s Arima Toys & Automata Museum. In collaboration with Haifukiya Nishida Fude-ten, the museum hosts workshops where participants can make their own Arima doll brush.
“The mechanism that makes the doll appear is surprisingly complex,” says Akemi Kawashima, a staff member at the museum who is passionate about spreading awareness of this traditional art.
Just a 15–20-minute train ride from downtown Kobe lies the quaint town of Shioya. This charming community is the setting for the Shioya Walk and Food Hopping Tour, led by Sumire Takemoto, the founder of the company “face to face.” Drawing on her background as a tour conductor for overseas travel, she introduces Shioya’s hidden gems in a fun and engaging way, blending English and a welcoming attitude to connect with visitors.
Shioya, nestled near Akashi and Tarumi, boasts stunning sea and mountain views. Historically home to many foreign residents and largely untouched by the air raids of World War II, Shioya preserves its traditional townscape.
“The key to this tour is talking with the locals,” says Takemoto. Visitors can engage directly with shop owners and residents, experiencing the day-to-day life of locals. It’s a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in a community that feels worlds apart from the typical tourist route.
The retro charm of Shioya’s shopping streets is filled with delightful surprises. Takemoto guides participants to places they’d likely never discover on their own.
The Shioya Walk offers a completely different kind of travel experience—one that’s filled with meaningful connections and stimulating encounters. This ultra-local tour has already won the hearts of many foreign travelers, who often leave as devoted fans of Shioya and Takemoto herself.
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, 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 […]
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 […]
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.