Kobe is the fifth largest city in Japan and the capitol of Hyogo Prefecture. Its long history as a port city, concentration of multi-national companies, and reputation as a cosmopolitan city make it a popular tourist destination in the Kansai Region. Kobe is bordered by Osaka Bay to the south and Mo..
Himeji is Hyogo Prefecture's second largest city by population and has been the center of the historical Harima Province for over a thousand years. It is most famous for its history as a castle town and the location of Himeji Castle, one of Japan's most famous World Heritage Sites. Himeji is..
Kinosaki is an onsen hot spring town located in Hyogo's Toyooka area, centred around a picturesque, willow-lined canal. It is a popular getaway destination for those looking to relax and unwind. The town is famous for its seven famous hot springs, which attracts visitors from across Japan and in..
Overview Sake is classified according to the amount of the rice grain that has been polished away - the rice polishing ratio. Sake with a lower ratio (more of the grain has been polished away) is considered more premium and tends to be more expen..
Overview It is said that there are three drinks in every bottle of sake. Hot, warm and cold. That is to say that even small temperature differences can create subtle variations in the flavour and fragrance of sake, sometimes giving the impression..
Overview Sake, perhaps more than many alcohols, is made to match with food. Why is this the case? The answer lies in Japan’s vastly differing geography and climate. Japan is an archipelago of over 3000 islands stretching from north to south, ..
Set in the rural town of Kinosaki Onsen in Hyogo's northern Tajima area, Nishimuraya Honkan stands out as a traditional and luxurious ryokan. Nishimuraya Honkan treats its guests to an unforgettable experience with the combination of Japanese sup..
Built on Port Island and very close to Kobe Airport, Hotel Pearl City Kobe is a place where making the guest feel comfortable is top priority. Opening back in 1991 as the first hotel of HMI Hotel Group's now nationwide range of hotels, ..
It was just a coincidence that we chose this hotel to stay for one night before going to Tokushima. The reason was simple, it was located at the foot of Great Akashi Strait Bridge where we would take a highway bus bound for Tokushima station. At firs..
A visit to the Kobe Animal Kingdom was by a friend’s recommendation. Looking through the leaflet, I was interested in its interior, richly decorated with flowers that were hung upside down. So, I wanted to see the place very much. My expectati..
From soy sauce to rice trading to sake brewing, the history of the Akashi Sake Brewery stretches back over a hundred years. While Akashi’s products are now loved all over the world (for example The Ritz Paris, Michelin-starred restaurants ..
In March and April each year, the annual migration of tourists to Japan begins. They are here with a single purpose: to participate in Hanami. All across Japan, there are many well-established locations that Hanami pilgrims will gravitate towards, ..
