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Oishimisaki Observatory

Oishimisaki Observatory

An observatory located on a cliff at the southeastern tip of Awaji Island, overlooking the Kii Channel. It was once a place where a battery was placed as part of the Yura Fortress, and the remaining red brick ruins still exude memories of military history. The view from the observatory is breathtaking, and on clear days, you can see Tomogashima, Wakayama, and even Shikoku in the distance. Nostalgic landscapes reminiscent of the world of "Laputa" are scattered around, such as the "First Battery Ruins," allowing visitors to enjoy historical exploration and superb views at the same time. In the silence...

Hyogo
Sightseeing
Nature
Spring
Summer
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Winter

Wakauudo-no-Hiroba Park

Wakauudo-no-Hiroba Park

A quiet park on Awaji Island featuring a memorial tower for students who died in the war, designed by architect Kenzo Tange. Located on a hill about 150 meters above sea level, a panoramic view of the Naruto Strait spreads before your eyes. Once in ruins after the war, it was redeveloped as a beautiful park in 2014. The contrast between the concrete tower stretching sharply toward the sky, the surrounding lush greenery, and the endless blue sea prompts visitors to deep reflection on peace. The view at dusk is wonderful, a spot where artistic architecture and nature melt together...

Hyogo
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Spring
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Onaruto Bridge

This is a magnificent suspension bridge with a total length of 1,629 meters, connecting Awaji Island at the southern tip of Hyogo Prefecture and Tokushima Prefecture. The greatest appeal of this bridge is that you can observe the "Naruto Whirlpools" swirling directly under the bridge from above. In the walkway "Uzu-no-Michi" inside the bridge, a glass floor is installed at a height of 45 meters above the sea, allowing a thrilling and exciting experience of looking down at the fiercely swirling currents from directly above. In addition, from the surrounding observatories, you can enjoy the calm islands of the Seto...

Hyogo
Sightseeing
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Meriken Park

This is an open park representing the Kobe Port waterfront. With the Kobe Port Tower, a symbol of Kobe, and the Kobe Maritime Museum, with its wave-symbolizing appearance, lined up, it is a highlight of Kobe sightseeing where you can stroll while feeling the sea breeze. Within the park, there is also the "Kobe Port Earthquake Memorial Park," which preserves records of the 1995 Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, allowing you to learn the steps of reconstruction. Recently, the giant "BE KOBE" monument is popular with travelers from all over the world as an SNS-worthy spot. At night, the illuminated night view...

Hyogo
Sightseeing
Activities
Spring
Summer
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Winter

Goshikizuka Kofun

Goshikizuka Kofun

Located on a hill overlooking the Akashi Strait along the coast of Kobe City, this is the largest front-and-rear mound tomb in Hyogo Prefecture. Built at the end of the 4th century, this giant kofun has been restored and maintained so that you can see its magnificent appearance covered with countless fukishi stones and haniwa clay figures lined up in order, just like it was back then. If you climb to the top of the tomb, a panoramic view of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge and Awaji Island spreads before your eyes, allowing you to experience a mysterious sensation where ancient...

Hyogo
Sightseeing
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Akashi Kaikyo Bridge

Akashi Kaikyo Bridge

This is one of the world's largest suspension bridges, connecting Kobe City and Awaji Island with a total length of 3,911 meters. Its magnificent scale and graceful curves attract attention worldwide as a masterpiece of Japan's advanced civil engineering technology. Especially at night, it is lit up in different colors depending on the season and time, glowing fittingly for its nickname "Pearl Bridge." At the "Promenade" on the Maiko side, a thrilling experience of looking down at the intense currents through the glass floor at your feet from a walkway about 47 meters above the sea level is possible. It...

Hyogo
Sightseeing
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Koko-en Garden

Located right next to Himeji Castle, Koko-en is a vast Japanese garden of about 3.5 hectares built on the former site of Edo-period samurai residences. It consists of nine gardens with different atmospheres that incorporate the beautiful figure of Himeji Castle as borrowed scenery. You can encounter different landscapes each time you walk, including a full-scale "pond strolling garden" with waterfalls and ponds, gardens with seasonal flowers, and a bamboo garden. Especially during the autumn foliage season, light-ups are held, and the vivid colors reflected on the water's surface are of mystical beauty. In the tea house within the garden,...

Hyogo
Sightseeing
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Himeji Castle

Registered as Japan's first UNESCO World Heritage site in 1993, this is the masterpiece of fortifications that Japan boasts to the world. Its beautiful appearance, covered with pure white plaster, is compared to a white heron with its wings spread and is affectionately known as "Shirasagi-jo" (White Heron Castle). The main keep and turrets almost entirely retain their appearance from over 400 years ago, and the layers of roofs and complex structures exude overwhelming beauty. Entering the inside, you can feel the ingenuity for defense of the time and the warmth of wood, experiencing the wisdom of samurai from the...

Hyogo
Sightseeing
Activities
Spring
Summer
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Winter

Shiroyama Enchi

Shiroyama Enchi

Shiroyama Enchi, located at the tip of a cape in the Takeno area of northern Hyogo, is a superb view spot where you can monopolize dynamic cliffs created by the rough waves of the Sea of Japan and the endless blue horizon. The view is so good that it is said a naval castle was once placed there, and you can look down upon the complex and intricate coastline and giant sea caves. In the surrounding area, there are huge sea caves such as the "Yodo Sea Cave," and one is overwhelmed by the artistic beauty carved out by nature...

Hyogo
Sightseeing
Activities
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Okami Park

Okami Park, spreading across a hill overlooking the Sea of Japan, is a spot with outstanding openness where you can see a panoramic view of the Kasumi Coast. In spring, cherry blossoms in full bloom bloom against the backdrop of the sea, and in summer, lovely lilies color the entire area. From the park, you can gaze at the coastline lined with strange rocks and the coming and going of fishing boats, and the sunset panorama is beautiful enough to be selected as one of "Japan's Top 100 Sunsets." There is also a literary monument associated with a Meiji-era man...

Hyogo
Sightseeing
Activities
Spring
Summer
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Winter

Imagoura

Imagoura, located in the Kasumi area, is a scenic spot with a varied coastline woven by a rias coast and a beautiful sea with high transparency. Particularly famous is "Kaeru-jima" (Frog Island), which was carved by waves into the shape of a frog. It has long been an object of prayer to fulfill wishes such as "returning safely." Campsites and a beach are also attached, and it is crowded with many families in summer. In addition, at dusk, you can watch the crimson sun sinking into the Sea of Japan from "Yunagi no Oka" (Evening Calm Hill), and its beauty...

Hyogo
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Genbudo Park

This is a globally precious geological heritage site where you can see "columnar joints," where lava that flowed out from an eruption about 1.6 million years ago became regular hexagonal columns during the cooling process. The sight of five caves (Genbu, Seiryu, Byakko, Suzaku) towering is geometric and beautiful like giant sculptural works, and one is overwhelmed by the tremendous creative power of nature. It is also a very important place in scientific history, as a major discovery that Earth's magnetic field had reversed in the past was made triggered by scientific observations here. It is a representative spot of...

Hyogo
Sightseeing
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Minami-Awaji City

Minami-Awaji City

Minami-Awaji City, located at the southernmost tip of Awaji Island, is a city full of dynamism and romance, dotted with the world's largest "Naruto Whirlpools" and sacred sites associated with Japanese mythology. Agriculture and fishing are very active, and it is an area with extremely high food satisfaction, featuring "Awaji Island onions" with extreme sweetness and luxury ingredients like "3-Year Torafugu" (blowfish). Along the coast, there is Keino Matsubara with beautiful pine forests, and the beauty of the sunset into the Seto Inland Sea is exceptional. From the traditional performing art of Awaji Ningyo Joruri to the latest glamping facilities,...

Hyogo
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Sightseeing
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Nature
Spring
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Nishiwaki City

Nishiwaki City, located in the center of Hyogo, is known as the "Navel of Japan" (geographical center) and is the production area of "Banshu-ori" textiles, boasting over 200 years of history. These yarn-dyed textiles are of such high quality that they are adopted as shirt fabrics for global high-end brands, and feature rich colors and a soft touch. Walking through the city, you can encounter nostalgic factory ruins with "sawtooth roofs" and landscapes associated with the artist Tadanori Yokoo. Textile shops and cafes renovated from old townhouses are increasing, making it a city where you can enjoy creative and calm...

Hyogo
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Nature
Spring
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Hyogo Prefectural Tajima Farm Park

Hyogo Prefectural Tajima Farm Park

Spreading across the home of Tajima Beef, this park is an experiential facility where you can interact with animals and learn about Japanese livestock culture amidst rich mountain scenery. You can observe Tajima Beef cattle, the roots of the global brand "Kobe Beef," up close and learn about their history and breeding commitment. Within the park, activities such as skiing, sledding, and "Skywalker" are also plentiful. In addition, you can enjoy ice cream making using fresh milk and a Tajima Beef barbecue. It is an exhilarating resort spot where you can experience the "story of life and skill" that supports...

Hyogo
Activities
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Genbudo Museum

Adjacent to the Genbudo Caves, giant hexagonal basalt columns created by volcanic activity 1.6 million years ago, this museum focuses on the history of stones and the Earth. The collection of minerals and fossils gathered from all over the world is breathtakingly beautiful, and you'll be fascinated by the artistic beauty created by the Earth over hundreds of millions of years. In particular, the explanation about the major discovery (reversal of magnetic poles) that changed the history of magnetics discovered here is very interesting and satisfies scientific intellectual curiosity. In addition, you can experience wickerwork, which is the root of...

Hyogo
Sightseeing
Activities
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Sugiharagami-no-Sato

Sugiharagami-no-Sato

Located in Taka Town, the birthplace of Sugiharagami is a place that protects the tradition of the highest-grade Japanese paper boasting over 1,300 years of history. This paper, once favored by samurai and nobles, is entirely handmade, from the cultivation of the raw material kozo to papermaking in clear streams. Here, under the guidance of craftsmen, you can enjoy a papermaking experience to create your own original paper using actual cold water. The soft touch and strength of the finished paper allow you to feel the pinnacle of Japanese handiwork. It is an intellectual healing spot where you can learn...

Hyogo
Sightseeing
Activities
Spring
Summer
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Winter

Boze Island

One of the Ieshima Islands floating off the coast of Himeji, Boze Island is a "lively fishing island" where fishing is very active. The maze-like alleys, houses crowded on slopes, and countless fishing boats moored in the port create a unique atmosphere. There are many eateries where you can taste freshly caught seafood, and the fatty "mackerel" and "conger eel" are particularly exquisite. The landscape of authentic Japanese island life, not overly commercialized, remains, and the warm interaction with local people is also a charm. It is a hidden popular spot for repeaters where you can directly experience the passion...

Hyogo
Sightseeing
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Nishinomiya Shrine

Nishinomiya Shrine

This is the head shrine of the approximately 3,500 Ebisu shrines throughout Japan, a sacred site enshrining Ebisu-san, known as the "God of Fortune." During the "Toka Ebisu" held every January, the "Opening of the Gate Race to Choose the Lucky Men," where people dash through the grounds seeking the first luck, is held, and the enthusiastic scene is broadcast as news worldwide. The magnificent red-lacquered main shrine is designated as a National Important Cultural Property, and the lush green grounds are an oasis in the city where quiet time flows. You can experience both the deep faith of local...

Hyogo
Sightseeing
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Nankinmachi (Chinatown)

Nankinmachi (Chinatown)

"Nankinmachi," spreading near the Kobe waterfront, is one of Japan's three major Chinatowns and an area where energetic food culture explodes. Passing through the vivid red-lacquered gate, stalls selling dim sum, meat buns, and tapioca drinks line the narrow streets, giving you a festival-like excitement just by walking. In particular, the sight of people queuing for Nankinmachi's famous "butaman" (pork buns) is a daily occurrence. This town, where Chinese cuisine arranged in a Japanese style fuses with a lively exotic atmosphere, symbolizes Kobe's diverse history. It is the best place to feel the heat of multi-layered culture while enjoying eating...

Hyogo
Sightseeing
Food
Activities
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Nishinomiya Noh Theater

Nishinomiya Noh Theater

This is a precious facility where you can experience "Noh," Japan's oldest performing art, up close in a modern space. While following traditional forms, it conveys its charm in a way that is easy to understand even for international tourists seeing Noh for the first time through explanations and experience workshops. The unique stylized beauty, movements stripped to the minimum, and the mystical world created by beautiful costumes and masks (omote) symbolize Japan's unique beauty of "Yugen." The power of being close to the stage and the seats, even being able to feel the breath of the performers, is a...

Hyogo
Sightseeing
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Kasumi Coast

The Kasumi Coast, located in northern Hyogo facing the Sea of Japan, is a dynamic scenic spot that can be called the highlight of the San'in Kaigan Geopark. Cliffs, strange rocks, and sea caves carved by rough waves over many years continue, and if you board the sightseeing boat "Kasumi-maru," you can enjoy the complex and beautiful natural formations that can only be seen from the sea up close. In particular, "Kaeru-jima" (Frog Island), shaped like a frog, is popular as a power spot that fulfills wishes such as returning lost things or rejuvenation. It is also famous as a...

Hyogo
Sightseeing
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Takasago City

Facing the Seto Inland Sea, Takasago City is a "city of matchmaking and longevity" where crafts and culture have flourished since ancient times. Takasago Shrine, which became the setting for the Noh play "Takasago," is known as a sacred place for marital harmony, featuring the "Aioi no Matsu" where two trunks grow from a single root. In addition, the ruins of the "Tatsuyama stone" quarry, a national historic site, offer dynamic landscapes with giant rock faces cut sharply, giving a sense of the power of ancient large-scale civil engineering projects. It is a profound area where you can experience mysterious...

Hyogo
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Sightseeing
Nature
Spring
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Kasagata Shrine

Kasagata Shrine

Located on the mountainside of Mt. Kasagata, also known as the Fuji of Harima, Kasagata Shrine is an ancient shrine where mysterious megalithic culture and mountain worship breathe. The greatest highlights are the giant sacred zelkova tree towering behind the main shrine and the group of massive rocks that seem to retain memories of ancient times. There is a legend that the wood used as the central pillar of Himeji Castle was cut from here, evoking a deep connection with the castle. It is a power spot where the dignified air drifts in the silence of the deep forest, and...

Hyogo
Sightseeing
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter