Just 12 minutes by Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka lies Shin-Kobe, a station steeped in history since Kobe Port’s opening in 1868. 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.
If you’re looking for a photogenic trip, start at the Kitano Ijinkan district, famous for its iconic Weathercock House (formerly the Thomas Residence). Strolling along the cobblestone paths, you’ll notice its distinctive red-brick silhouette perched on the hill. The charming weathercock atop the spire of this mansion, built around 1909 as the residence of wealthy German trader Gottfried Thomas, makes for a delightful snap.
Weathercock House
Address: 3-13-3 Kitanocho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0002
Up next, just a two-minute walk from Weathercock House, is Rhine House. Built in 1915 by Mme. J. R. Drewell of French birth, the building is named after the straight lines (“Rhine” and “line” are pronounced the same in Japanese) of the clapboard siding. Some say the roof’s traditional Japanese tiles give it a unique blend of Western and Japanese styles—why not visit and see for yourself?
Rhine House
Address: 2-10-24 Kitanocho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0002
Tel.: 078-222-3403
Time flies when you’re busy taking photos. For lunch, head to the Oriental Hotel Kobe’s 17th-floor Main Dining by The House of Pacific. Located on the main street of the former foreign settlement, step inside and enjoy a gourmet course meal with stunning views overlooking the city of Kobe—just don’t forget to take a picture!
Oriental Hotel Kobe, Main Dining by The House of Pacific
Address: 25 Kyomachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0034
Hours:
Breakfast: 7:00–10:30 (LO 10:00)
Lunch: 11:30–16:00 (LO 14:00)
Dinner: 17:30–22:00 (Mon–Thu, LO 20:00)
17:00–22:00 (Fri–Sun & holidays, LO 20:00)
Tel.: 078-326-1577 (restaurant reception)
In the afternoon, take a stroll around the Kobe’s nearby former foreign settlement. Developed as a workplace for foreigners when the port of Kobe opened, the area was planned using European urban design techniques, with grid streets, roadside trees, and streetlamps still reflecting the vestiges of the past. The streets, lined with old-fashioned buildings from the late nineteenth to early twentieth century, exude a foreign charm and are popular for wedding photo shoots.
After all that walking, there’s nothing better than a soak in the hot spring. About 40 minutes by train from Kobe, you’ll find Takarazuka Onsen, and three stations further, Takedao Onsen. Takarazuka Onsen is conveniently located near the station, perfect for anyone wanting to enjoy the nightlife. Take your pick from elegant hotels or modern Japanese ryokan for your stay.
Takedao Onsen, on the other hand, is nestled in the mountains, offering an open-air bath experience surrounded entirely by nature—the ultimate quiet retreat at a traditional onsen inn.
Whether the urban sophistication of Takarazuka Onsen or the secluded charm of Takedao Onsen, both hot springs offer sumptuous stays well worth experiencing.
On your second day, why not head over to the little-known but much-loved temple path leading to Kiyoshikojin Seicho-ji Temple . The 1.2 km path, stretching from Hankyu Kiyoshikojin station all the way to the temple, is lined with countless shops, a rich amalgam of historic and stylish, new establishments—juxtapositions like this are just where you can let your creativity shine.
At the end of the path, you’ll find Kiyoshikojin Seicho-ji Temple. This syncretic temple, combining elements of both Shinto and Buddhism, was founded in 896. Its grounds exude a deep sense of history and the temple, surrounded by nature, is a haven for visitors to enjoy beautiful scenery year-round.
Kiyoshikojin Seicho-ji Temple
Address: 1 Yoneya Kiyoshi, Takarazuka, Hyogo 665-0837
Tel.: 0797-86-6641
For lunch, travel about an hour by train and bus to Nishinomiya’s Hakushika Classics. This restaurant, run by a sake brewery with 358 years of pedigree, offers a selection of sake-related products. The hot pot dishes, made with broth from Hakushika sake lees, are especially popular. Don’t miss out on the exclusive “Sake Tasting Set,” offering you the opportunity to savor the crisp, refreshing, true taste of sake, including freshly pressed, dry genshu (raw sake) and aged daiginjo.
Hakushika Classics (restaurant)
Address: 7-7 Kurakake-cho, Nishinomiya, Hyogo 662-0926
Hours
Lunch: 11:00–15:00 (weekdays, LO 14:30);
11:00–15:30 (weekends/holidays, LO 14:30)
Dinner: 17:00–22:00 (LO 21:00)
Closed: Mondays and Tuesdays
Tel.: 0798-35-0001
As you look back over the charming selection of photos from your journey, board a highway bus from Sannomiya and cross the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge to Awaji Island. As the breathtaking seascape unfolds before you, beckoning you to snap even more pictures, it becomes quite clear that the photogenic delights of this trip are far from over.
Hyogo Prefecture is accessible by Shinkansen (JR) from Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. Travel by air to Kansai International Airport is also convenient, with limousine bus services to Shin-Kobe available from the airport.
The Takarazuka area, featured in this article, can be reached from JR Sannomiya or Hankyu Kobe-Sannomiya stations. Both stations are one stop away from Shin-Kobe, with a transfer at Sannomiya metro station.
After your journey in Hyogo Prefecture, consider continuing your trip from Shin-Kobe to Shikoku by bus, or to Kyushu by Shinkansen (JR).
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 […]
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 […]
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.