2025 Hyogo Prefecture Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in June)

Himeji Castle is located in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. It is an ancient city listed as a World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. Himeji Castle is one of the most famous cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan. Every spring, this 400-year-old castle attracts countless tourists to enjoy the beauty of cherry blossoms. There are about 1,800 cherry trees planted in the city, including various varieties such as Somei Yoshino, Yaezakura and Shidaera. They begin to bloom in late March and reach the best viewing period in early April. When the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, the white walls of Himeji Castle and the pink cherry blossoms form a beautiful contrast, as if you are in a dreamy sea of ​​flowers. Especially when they are in full bloom, the entire city is surrounded by light pink flowers, attracting a large number of tourists to take photos. In addition, various events are often held at places such as San-no-maru Square and Nishi-no-maru Gardens in the city, allowing visitors to enjoy music and food while admiring the flowers. Himeji Castle at night has a special flavor. The Nishimaru Garden will be lit up, illuminating the weeping cherry trees, creating a dreamy night cherry blossom landscape that will make you linger. Whether it's day or night, the cherry blossoms in Himeji Castle show off their unparalleled beauty, making it a must-see tourist destination in spring. #Osaka Sakura #JapanTravel #Osaka Suburbs #Flower Viewing

#Travel itinerary #Japan #Japan travel #Sea 🇯🇵 Nakayagi + Eigashima, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan A small fishing village called Nakayagi (中八木) and Eigashima (江井ヶ島) can be reached in 20 minutes by Sanyo Akashi Electric Railway from Akashi, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. It is not well known to tourists. If you have traveled to Japan many times and are looking for a special place, I highly recommend this place. Also, this is where my maternal grandmother was born and raised, and I visited this place with my grandmother, so I visited it again during this trip to Japan. Now, let me introduce you to a half-day trip to Nakayagi and Eigashima 💚 📷 2-5 Nakayagi (中八木) If you take the Sanyo Akashi Electric Railway from Akashi and get off in 20 minutes, you will arrive at the small seaside village of Nakayagi. It is quieter than other tourist destinations in Japan, so it is a great place to take a walk and feel the Japanese townscape. 📷 6-7 Yagiiseki Park 八木遺跡公園 Nakayagi is a town adjacent to the sea, so the coastal walking path is very well-maintained. You can enter the ocean walking path through Yagiiseki Park (八木遺跡公園). This park is also a beautiful park where red camellias bloom until mid-March. 📷 8-10 35-minute walk from Nakayagi to Eigashima It takes one train stop from Nakayagi to Eigashima, and 30-35 minutes on foot. If you visit in March, take a walk while enjoying the beautiful flowers blooming everywhere. It is good to walk along the ocean walking path, but on the day I visited, it was so windy that I walked inside the town. 📷 11-13 Eigashima (江井ヶ島) Eigashima Beach is beautiful with blue sea and blue sky. There are also people who do windsurfing, and it is a very quiet place. It is my grandmother's hometown that I came to with my grandmother 7 years ago. I sit on the beach and look at the sea of ​​Eigashima that sparkles and looks calm, but makes waves. This is the half-day trip course of Nakayagi and Eigashima. If you are looking for a special Japanese travel destination, come here 💙

I visited a bakery called 'ameen's oven' in Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture! 📍 6-18 Wakamatsucho, Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture, Villa de Coan 1st Floor Despite being in a residential area, it was a cute shop surrounded by trees! Inside the store, there were delicious-looking hard breads lined up. There was also a cafe, but this time I took out some bread! When I reheated it for breakfast, the more I chewed, the more delicious it became! The bread filled with red bean paste had a surprising burdock flavor, which was an unusual combination but very tasty!

📍Address: 68 Honmachi, Himeji City 🕰️Opening Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Last entry at 4:00 PM) 💞Recommended Reason: Also known as White Heron Castle, Himeji Castle is a Japanese national treasure and a UNESCO World Heritage site. It's a must-visit for anyone interested in Japanese history. 🗓️Itinerary: After having breakfast at the hotel in the morning, we headed to Himeji Castle. Initially, we planned to spend two to three hours exploring the castle, but we ended up staying until the evening to watch a light show that was happening that day. The combination of the old castle architecture and the lights made for a unique experience. In the evening, we went to try the famous Kobe beef. The beef had a rich flavor and only needed a little salt to taste amazing. It was truly a perfect day.✌🏻

A hidden Himeji specialty founded in 1974! It was also featured on Bananaman's Sekakuna Gourmet🍲‼️ The great thing about this place is that you can eat both yakiniku and hot pot! First, you eat the yakiniku as an appetizer salad instead of the main course, and then... The main course is hot pot! (lol)🤭🍲 What a happy combination! And it's delicious but not expensive at all! Do you feel like having hot pot or yakiniku? ! If you're on the fence, don't hesitate to come here! If you've been there, please share your comments~🎵 📍 89 Nishinomachi, Sanzaemonbori, Himeji, Hyogo 670-0940 #HyogoTourism#HimejiGourmet

You can see the rare river view in Hong Kong Japanese style accommodation, Japanese style mattress Located 5 minutes drive from the train station The hotel has two hot springs Breakfast and dinner will be included in the room rate A quiet and close environment to nature #japanhotel

Kanefuku Mentai Park in Sanda City, Hyogo Prefecture ✨✨ The large mentaiko object on top of the store is very unique🌸 Mentaiko is a food made from pickled fish ovaries. In Japan, it is an everyday and natural food. First, a tour of the factory🖐️, then a tasting corner✨ The recommended dish is a large onigiri rice ball with freshly made mentaiko💗 Very delicious!! And very reasonably priced✨ If you come here, you must eat this onigiri💗 You can enter a lucky draw with purchases of 3,500 yen or more, and if you win, you will receive a set of mentaiko, so we will also tell you about the great deal😊 Please put ice packs in frozen foods and purchase a cute cooling bag💗 #Breathtaking views#Gourmet#Spring trip#Couple trip #Great deals #Theme park

I spent a day sightseeing in Kobe city and Arima Onsen. I arrived at Kochi station by night bus from Tokyo station. I will tell you how to travel solo around Kochi, Tokushima and Hyogo. My travel record is here ↓ @yamashita_3923 #hyogo #kobe #Kobe #Sannomiya #Motomachi Chinatown #Arima Onsen ##Kobe Port Tower #Theme Park #I want to connect with people who like to travel #I love travel #I like travel #Travel Instagram #I like travel #I like travel girls #Travel girl #Tabijo #Domestic travel #Asia travel #I want to connect with people who like to travel #Around Japan #Solo travel #Couple travel #Girls trip #Backpacker #travel #landscape

If you are a long-term traveler in Japan, why not rent a camping car? "Fujicars Nishinomiya Store" You can travel to your favorite places in Japan without worrying about hotel time or other people's noises✨✨✨✨ There are stores all over Japan, so you can rest assured✨✨✨ #Gourmet trip #Couple trip #Spring trip

How about a special lunch at "Uontana Fish Shelf" in Akashi City, Hyogo Prefecture? Great value lunch at "Uontana Fish Shelf Sushizaemon" ✨ A lunch of carefully selected sushi, assorted tempura, and red miso soup is ¥980✨✨✨ There are other great value lunches as well😊 Please try the delicious sushi at "Uontana Fish Shelf in Akashi" 😃️ #Retro townscape #Breathtaking views #Gourmet trip #Couple trip

"Katsuo Matsusho" in "Uontana" (fish shelf) in Akashi City, Hyogo Prefecture A live "Akashi sea bream" caught in the daytime net is served as sashimi for only ¥1000 ✨✨ The meat is best eaten as sashimi, and the tail and bones are best grilled with salt ✨ The sashimi is crunchy and full of flavor 💗 Even if you buy it as a souvenir, it is designed so that the meat does not move, so it is safe to carry around 💗 #Breathtaking views #Gourmet trip #Couple trip #Retro cityscape

Akashi City, Hyogo Prefecture, "Uontana" (fish shelf) What do you think this is? It's an octopus 🐙🐙✨✨ This octopus is very famous in Akashi City. When you boil octopus, it turns red. If you simmer it in a sweet and spicy sauce, it's really delicious!! Conger eel and whiting tempura are also cheap and delicious!! Please try it😊 #breathtakingview #gourmettrip #coupletrip #gourmet #retrocityscape

Akashi Okura Beach Ryu no Yu is a natural hot spring in Akashi City, Hyogo Prefecture, where you can enjoy a view of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge. The water is a salt spring and brown in color. You can relax in the hot spring while looking at the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge. There are also restaurants and relaxation areas, and they also serve coffee milk after a bath, which is a familiar treat for Japanese people. #Hot spring #Gourmet trip #Great view #Gourmet trip #Couple trip #

Hyogo Prefecture has a famous "fish shelf" in Akashi City✨ There are trick art points in the shopping district, so you can take fun photos💗 "Akashi sea bream" and "Akashi octopus" that come up from the Akashi Strait are famous✨ This is called "day net" and the fish that come up at noon are lined up on the "fish shelf". You can also eat while walking🖐️#summer trip#great view#gourmet#historical site#retro streetscape

There is a mecca for baseball fans in Hyogo Prefecture😊 That is "Hanshin Koshien Stadium"⚾⚾⚾ And if you're looking for souvenirs, the "Tigers Shop" is the place⚾⚾The variety is endless, from sweets to fan goods✨ "Mouko Cheesecake" is a recommended souvenir💗 Please try it once(^o^) #Theme Park #Gourmet #Enjoy to the fullest at the theme park#Souvenir#Gourmet trip

"interior&gallery WORLD TIMES" in Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture is a wonderful cafe and gallery. Internationally renowned artists and photographers hold solo exhibitions here😊 You can also find pumpkin objects for a limited time only during Halloween🎃 Access: 8-18 Kagura-cho, Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture 662-0977 From Osaka Station to Sakura Shukugawa Station. About a 5-minute walk✨✨ #Halloween #Hyogo Prefecture #Cafe hopping#Summer trip#Gourmet trip

Kinosaki Onsen, Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture Kinosaki Onsen, Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture A hot spring town with 1,300 years of history♨️ The townscape remains as if you have traveled back in time.  This time, we visited the most popular "Gosho no Yu".  This is an open-air bath with a large waterfall right in front of you, and the atmosphere alone is overwhelming. I was able to warm up to the core of my body in a fairly hot hot spring ^ ^ A hot spring town boasts a history of 1300 years  The cityscape remains as if you have slipped back in time. This time, I visited the most popular "Gosho no Yu". This is an open-air bath with a big waterfall in front of you, and the atmosphere alone was a masterpiece. I was able to warm up to the core of my body in a fairly hot hot spring ^ ^ #Hot spring #Retro townscape #Breathtaking view#A trip to enjoy spring

【𝕚𝕟𝕗𝕠𝕣𝕞𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟𓏗𓏗】 ❶ Taiyo Park 📍 1342-6 Uchikoshi, Himeji, Hyogo ⁡ ❷ Sanda Natural Hot Spring Kotobuki no Yu 📍 5-2 Fujigaoka, Sanda, Hyogo ⁡ ❸ Glico Pia Kobe 📍 7-1 Takatsukadai, Nishi-ku, Kobe, Hyogo ⁡ ❹ Mt. Maya 📍 Mt. Maya, Nada-ku, Kobe, Hyogo ❺ Starbucks Coffee Kobe Kitano Ijinkan Store 📍 Kitano Monogatarikan, 3-1-31 Kitano-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo ⁡ ❻ Meriken Park 📍2-2 Hatobacho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo ⁡ ❼ Happy Pancakes Awajishima Terrace 📍42-1 Ozaki, Awaji, Hyogo #Hyogo #Summer trip#Amazing view#Gourmet trip#Trip with kids

The Mecca of Baseball: Hanshin Koshien Stadium Home of the Hanshin Tigers, where high school baseball games are played in spring and summer. Large-scale construction work has been carried out, and the area in front of Koshien Station has been reborn as a new, beautiful space. There's even a Starbucks! The old-fashioned shack tenements are gone, but the new Koshien Stadium is stylish. #HanshinKoshienStadium #EnjoyingTheThemePark#ShortSummerTrip#GourmetTrip#TripWithChildren

Kinosaki Coffee is located at the top of the ropeway at Kinosaki Onsen. They serve not only drinks but also light meals, and the atmosphere is relaxed and nice! You can enjoy a spectacular view from the terrace seats 🌟 #SpectacularView#GourmetTrip

Kappa and other monsters can be found near Fukusaki Station on the JR Bantan Line in Fukusaki Town, Kanzaki District, Hyogo Prefecture! Kappa and monster benches can be found here and there from the station to the town. You can get a map at the tourist information center in front of the station. Most of the photos are of the monuments in Tsujikawayama Park. Parking is free. There is also an exhibition of Kunio Yanagita's birthplace. #WesternJapan #kappa #monster #Fukusaki #TsujikawayamaPark #free #KunioYanagita #tengu #WesternJapan

🥯《Hyogo/Sanda》 Opened in February 2025, Sanda City's first bagel specialty store~🥯✨ They always have more than 20 types of bagels, including fresh bagels and white bagels made using their own unique method🤤 A popular store that sells 1,000 bagels a day just a few months after opening and has been featured on TV😍🥯✨ What I bought this time was -------------------- ✔︎ Kiwami Chocolat \ The most popular menu item in the store/ Chocolate on cocoa dough, chocolate cream in the middle😍 It's full of chocolate, but it's not too sweet and delicious~🍫 ✔︎ Blueberry Cream Cheese \ The second most popular menu item in the store/ This combination is sure to please🙌 The combination of sourness and sweetness makes it a favorite for everyone🤭🫐✨ ✔︎ Mugwort and red bean paste \ The third most popular menu item in the shop/ The charm of the red bean paste has already been revealed...🫘 lol The chewy mugwort dough and red bean paste make it taste like mugwort mochi😍🍡 ✔︎ Apple cheesecake The fact that it's cheesecake and not custard is the best🧀 The apples in it are sweet and delicious! The texture of the pearl sugar on top also adds an accent💯✨ ✔︎ Mentaiko cheese I was surprised that it sold out immediately! lol Everyone loves this combination too🤭 The spicy mentaiko and rich cheese go well together and are delicious🤤 ✔︎ Custard brulee It's brulee, so it's fluffy and fragrant🍳✨ The mellow custard was plentiful and delicious! And,, ✔︎ Premium Plain I really liked this🙌✨ Even without anything on it, it has a creamy flavor, and a mellow sweetness that makes it super delicious!! It's soft and chewy, but also chewy, and it definitely lives up to the name "fresh bagel"🤭✨ If you go to the store, please try it😍 -------------------- I ate it the next day, and when I warmed it up in the microwave, it brought back the fluffy and chewy texture and was super delicious! It's easy to bite into, so I highly recommend it for children🥰 I went there right after they opened on a weekday, but even while I was choosing, customers kept coming in🙌 The mentaiko cheese was sold out in an instant😳lol They also have bagel sandwiches available only on weekends, so it's a good idea to come on the weekend~😍🥯✨ It also seems they do mail order! If you live far away and can't go shopping, be sure to check out the bagel delivery service 🥰🌷 ▶︎ @bagel.online.shop —————————— 　 ✔︎ Bagel&Coppe Address | 21-12 Aioicho, Sanda City Open | 10:00-17:00 Closed | Wednesday Access | 30 seconds walk from Kobe Electric Railway's Sanda Honmachi Station 　 #Hyogo#Sanda #bagelandcoppe 　 #bagel #KansaiGourmet#HyogoGourmet#HyogoBakery#HyogoBagel#SandaGourmet#SandaCafe#SandaBagel#SandaTakeout#SandaBakery#KobeBakery#HokusetsuGourmet#HokusetsuCafe#HokusetsuBakery#HokusetsuBagel#HokusetsuBakery#BagelCoppe#BagelMailOrder#BagelSpecialtyStore#BagelLife#FreshBagel

🍢《Hyogo/Nishinomiya》 After visiting Shinnoji Temple, we had lunch at Sakura Chaya in front of the temple ☺️🍵 When we arrived, there was a retro atmosphere that seemed like something out of a Ghibli anime 😍 Just that alone got me excited 🤭 It's a Taisho era building, so it's really old ✨ There were lots of flower pots on the Seven-Up bench... 🪴 lol The menu was oden, rice balls, somen noodles, etc. ✨ This Showa-era lineup is just too good 🤭 You can eat inside the restaurant or on the tatami mats outside 🙌 The temperature was nice, so we sat on the tatami mats outside 🥰 The landlady was cute, and it was soothing to hear the voices of "yoikkoisho yoikkoisho" coming from the kitchen 😂 There were also regulars, so it looked like a fun atmosphere. On the way out, they even shared some sweets with us because they received them from regular customers. It was so heartwarming✨✨ You should definitely go to both Shinnoji Temple and Sakura Chaya🍢⛩️☺️ It's sure to soothe your daily fatigue lol By the way, they said, "XX isn't here today," (I couldn't hear it but it seemed to be the name of the cat) It seems like the cat is usually the mascot? Looks like there's one 🐈⬛✨ —————————— 　 ✔︎ Sakura Chaya Address | 4 Kouyama-cho, Nishinomiya Open | 7:00-17:00 Closed | Thursday Access | Car recommended #Hyogo#Nishinomiya #Sakura Chaya #kobecafe #Kansai gourmet#Hyogo gourmet#Hyogo lunch#Nishinomiya cafe#Nishinomiya coffee shop#Kobe cafe#Kobe coffee shop#Nishinomiya gourmet#Nishinomiya lunch#Nishinomiya chaya#tea shop#Kobe lunch#Kobe gourmet#Nishinomiya Japanese food#Kouyama gourmet#Kouyama lunch#Shinnoji temple#Retro cafe#Showa retro#Monzencho cafe#Kohyoen gourmet

⛩️《Hyogo/Nishinomiya》 Visit Kannoji Temple at Mount Kabuto⛩️ At first glance, the name "Temple That Curses Gods" sounds quite shocking, but it turns out it doesn't mean that at all 🤭 Upon arrival, the temple's serene atmosphere against the backdrop of a clear blue sky is truly captivating. You'll be greeted by a staircase of about 100 steps, and once you climb it, a breathtaking panoramic view of the city awaits you✨✨ Interestingly, this spot is also known as a hidden gem for viewing the Yodogawa Fireworks Festival! Although the view is small, you can see the fireworks directly in front of you. I might consider coming here this year to check it out😍🎆 The temple also features adorable Jizo statues and exudes a calm and peaceful vibe, which is quite contrary to its name ☺️ (Though "adorable" might not be the most fitting description... haha) It is said to bring blessings for business prosperity, so I made sure to pray sincerely🙏✨ The clear scenery and refreshing breeze make it a delightful place to visit, especially on a sunny day 😊 And on the way back, I had already decided to have lunch at Sakura Chaya🍵, a charming restaurant that feels like stepping back in time. It was truly soothing for the soul 🤭✨ I'll introduce Sakura Chaya in my next post 🥰🙌 —————————— ✔︎ Kannoji Temple Address | 25-1 Kabutoyama-cho, Nishinomiya City Open | 9:00–17:00 Closed | None Access | Best reached by car

#springitinerary you're in Kobe and need a quick nature + culture reset? Ikuta Jinja is such a perfect little escape. Smack in the middle of the city but somehow super peaceful, this Shinto shrine is one of Japan’s oldest, and in spring, it seriously shines. Plum blossoms start popping off before the cherry ones do, so it's like a sneaky early taste of hanami season. The whole place feels calm and sacred, but not in a stiff way, you can totally just wander, take cute pics, and soak up the chill vibes. There's even a little stream and walking path out back that feels like a secret garden. It’s not super crowded either, so you don’t have to fight for space. Honestly, it's a great stop if you're hopping between shops or cafés downtown and want a quick hit of zen and old Japan.

#springitinerary Craving a laid-back day with a side of charm? Kitano-chō’s got you. Tucked up in the hills of Kobe, this little district is packed with Western-style houses from when foreign merchants settled here back in the day. In spring, it’s next-level dreamy, think cherry blossoms peeking over red brick walls and the softest breeze ever. You can totally just wander, grab a latte, and pop into the ijinkan (that’s what they call those old foreign houses). Some of them are like mini museums, super quirky and fun. Oh, and the views? Wild. You get this gorgeous shot of the city and harbor just by climbing a few steps. Perfect for a chill afternoon with zero stress and max wanderlust. Bonus: Kitano's not crazy touristy, so it still feels a little like a hidden gem.

#springitinerary If you’re looking for a chill and colorful spot in Kobe this spring, Nunobiki Herb Garden is where you want to go. Just a quick 10-minute ropeway ride from Shin-Kobe Station, the journey up offers amazing views of the city and harbor, definitely part of the fun! Once you arrive, you’ll find yourself surrounded by vibrant flowers and tons of different herbs in 12 themed gardens. Spring brings out the best blooms like tulips and roses, making it a perfect spot for some relaxed wandering and photo ops. There are cozy spots to just kick back and even cafes where you can grab a bite while soaking in the views. Plus, if you’re into scents, the Fragrance Museum lets you try essential oils and make your own room spray. It’s a peaceful, fresh escape that feels perfect for spring vibes.

#springitinerary if you’re in Kobe this spring and want a laid-back day by the water, Harborland is the perfect spot. The weather is just right which makes walking along the waterfront super relaxing. You’ve got everything here: cute cafes, cool shops, and that massive Ferris wheel for awesome city and ocean views. The vibe is mellow, with live music sometimes playing and people just chilling by the bay. It’s a great place to grab snacks, do some window shopping at Umie, or sit by the water and people-watch. As the sun sets, the whole place lights up and looks magical with the reflections on the water. Whether you're on a date, with friends, or just exploring solo, Harborland has that easygoing spring energy that makes you want to stay a little longer. Definitely a feel-good spot for a spring day out.