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..
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..
If you’re going to Kobe, then you’re going to be trying the world-famous Kobe beef. That’s a given. The harder question becomes: where? Covering the region are restaurants brightly advertising the city’s specialty, with a wide..
This little soba noodle shop is located in the holy land for soba lovers, Toyooka (豊岡市) in Hyogo Prefecture. It is easily accessed after a short drive from the center of Izushi, a castle town with traditional architecture where you can eat almos..
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..
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..
Nankinmachi, the name of the Chinatown district in Kobe, is famous not only for its cultural and historical significance, but also its status as a great tourist destination. SEEING AND DOING The primary draw to Chinatown is food, food, and more food...
The Kobe Port Tower is a widely-known landmark of Kobe City, in Hyogo Precture. The tall, red structure set beside the seashore functions both as a welcome mark to incoming visitors, and also serves as a domestic symbol of Kobe. The tower is 108 mete..
Meriken Park in Kobe is located along the waterfront. Like many parks in Japan, its use of the word “park” might seem very liberal from a Western perspective. The grassy fields and full shade trees that come to mind from that word are not..
