Hyogo Prefecture is an area with a variety of attractions, facing the Sea of Japan and the Seto Inland Sea, and surrounded by rich nature including the Rokko Mountains. Kobe City, the prefectural capital, flourishes as a port town with an exotic atmosphere, offering urban convenience and a sophisticated cityscape. Himeji City is home to Himeji Castle, a world heritage site, and is also known as an area rich in history and culture. In addition, Ashiya and Nishinomiya are popular as high-class residential areas and have a calm living environment. It is also a tourist and resort area with Arima Onsen and Awaji Island, making it an easy-to-live-in prefecture where the city and nature are in harmony. Shinkansen, JR, and private railways are well developed, and access to Osaka and Kyoto is good. It is loved by many people as a region that offers a good balance between business, tourism, and daily life.
Hyogo
Voice of area responsible
When I'm in charge of Hyogo Prefecture, I often hear people say, ``It has just the right balance of urban atmosphere and closeness to nature.'' In particular, the Motomachi and Sannomiya areas of Kobe are lined with stylish cafes and shops, and there are plenty of options for shopping and eating out. On the other hand, if you go a little further, you will find nearby spots such as Mt. Rokko and Suma Beach where you can feel the nature of the mountains and the sea. It is also convenient for commuting, as it is only 30 minutes away from Osaka by train. This area is perfect for people who want to enrich their work and private lives.
Hyogo Prefecture is full of spots with completely different charms in each area. The Kobe Sannomiya and Motomachi areas are standard spots typical of a port town where you can enjoy shopping, gourmet food, and an exotic atmosphere. At Kobe Kitano Ijinkan-gai, you can enjoy visiting retro Western-style buildings and spending time at stylish cafes.
``Meriken Park'' and ``Harborland'' are areas in the bay area with a pleasant night view and sea breeze, perfect for dates or when you want to spend some relaxing time. The nearby "Kobe Port Tower" will reopen in 2024 and is attracting attention.
"Arima Onsen" is a famous hot spring that is counted as one of the three oldest hot springs in Japan, and is a relaxing spot where you can enjoy an extraordinary feeling whether you are on a day trip or staying overnight. It's easily accessible, about 30 minutes by train from Kobe, and is perfect for a refreshing holiday break.
In Himeji City, you can enjoy the beautiful castle tower that resembles a white heron and the surrounding castle town area, centered around the world heritage site Himeji Castle. The scenery changes depending on the season, such as autumn leaves in autumn and cherry blossoms in spring.
A major feature of Hyogo Prefecture is that you can go back and forth between the city and nature, such as on Awaji Island where you can enjoy beach drives, gourmet food, and visiting famous flower spots.
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