HYOGO PREFECTURE

HYOGO MAIN CITIES and TOWNS

Himeji is a city in Hyogo Prefecture, at the western edge of the Kansai region. Himeji is most famous for its World Heritage Listed Himeji Castle, which is the best example of intact Japanese Castle.

Hyogo-ku is one of 9 wards of Kobe in Japan.

Kobe is a city located in Kansai, close to Osaka and Kyoto. Kobe is a cosmopolitan port city with an international flavour, hemmed in by Mt. Rokko. Kobe is known worldwide for its exquisitely marbled premium Kobe beef. Kobe attractions include Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge (world's longest suspension bridge), Kobe Harborland, Kobe Port Tower and Kobe Maritime Museum.

HYOGO DISTRICTS

Nankin-machi - Kobe China Town along with the ones in Yokohama and Nagasaki, Kobe's Nankin-machi is one of the three biggest Chinatowns in Japan.

HYOGO CASTLES

Akashi Castle is a Japanese Castle located in Akashi in Hyogo Prefecture. Akashi Castle was completed in 1619, with major repairs completed in 1739. In 1874 Akashi Castle was demolished except for two yagura (turrets) and the wall connecting them, which is what stands today.

Ako Castle is a flatland style Japanese Castle located on the coast line in Ako, Hyogo Prefecture. Ako Castle was originally constructed around 1615, but substantially dismantled during the Meiji Period.

Himeji Castle is the best example of a Japanese castle as it has never been destroyed or even damaged in war. Himeji Castle was completed in 1609, but a fort existed on the site as early as 1333. Himeji Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the "Himeji-jo" listing. Himeji Castle is a flatland style Japanese castle, located in Himeji Hyogo Prefecture.

HYOGO SHRINES and TEMPLES

Genkoji Temple was established by Jokyo (Buddhism priest) in 1514 in what is now the outer suburbs of Kobe. Before then, there was a house which was used as a model in the Japanese famous novel called 'The Tale of Genji'. Genkoji Temple was destroyed by Great Hanshin Earthquake in 1995

Ikuta Shrine is the most popular shrine among Kobe People, where many people visit here for a New Year prayer. Ikuta Shrine is located in Sannomiya.

Minatogawa Shrine was built in 1872 by the order of Meiji Emperor. Minatogawa Shrine Kobe enshrines Kusunoki Masashige who was a famous warlord in 14th century.

Sumadera Temple Kobe was originally built in 886 by the order of Emperor Koko. Sumadera Temple features a display from the Battle of Ichi-no-Tani (1184).

HYOGO MUSEUMS and ART GALLERIES

Kobe Maritime Museum, with its outstanding roof design, is a symbol of Kobe and frequently combined with the nearby Kobe Port Tower in pictures and postcards.

HYOGO LANDMARKS

Hoshi no Todai (Star Lighthouse) is a 7-meter-high art work features a rotating stainless steel cone and red wings that twirl as they catch the wind. At night, the illuminated Lighthouse seems to float up into the sky in a pool of light. Hoshi no Todai is located in Kobe Harborland.

Kobe City Office is located in Sannomiya, Kobe.

Kobe Harborland is waterfront development next to JR Kobe Station. Kobe Harborland includes several shopping malls, cinemas, hotels and an amusement park.

Kobe Harborland Center Building is located within the Kobe Harborland development.

Kobe Meriken Park is often depicted in postcards with it's great scenery including Kobe Port Tower and Kobe Maritime Museum.

Kobe Port Central Jetty is located between Kobe Meriken Park and Kobe Harborland. Kobe Port Central Jetty is where several cruises depart from.

Kobe Port Tower is the first pipe structure tower in the world and has been a symbol of Kobe since. You can view Osaka city, Mt Rokko and Kansai Airport from the observation deck when it is clear. It is illuminated every night.

Built in 1914, the Mosaic Watch Tower was originally used for observation of cargo ships entering Kobe Harbor. It has been relocated to this Mosaic site, within the Kobe Harborland development.

Old Kobe Harbor Signal Tower, also known as Old Shinko No 5 Pier Signal Tower, is located in Kobe Harbor.

Stylized like a giraffe, the 8 metre tall Soten Tower is a well known meeting place outside the Culmeni Shopping Plaza, which is located within the Kobe Harborland development in Kobe.

HYOGO GARDENS and PARKS

Akashi Park, located in Akashi Hyogo Prefecture, is famous for its cherry blossom and is considered one of Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots. Akashi Park also features Akashi Castle.

Kobe Kachoen is a bird and flower park where visitors can interact with many birds in a beautiful flower filled atmosphere. Kobe Kachoen has a collection of tropical birds, parrots, owls, penguins, ducks and more. Kobe Kachoen is located in Kobe.

Nunobiki Herb Park is a herb garden located on Mt Rokko above Kobe.

Shukugawa Park, located in Nishinomiya Hyogo Prefecture is famous for its cherry blossom. Shukugawa Park is located along Shukugawa River and is considered one of Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots.

HYOGO THEATRES and CONCERT HALLS

Concerto is a cruise which operates from Kobe Harborland.

Villaggio Italia is a cruise ship styled like an old pirate ship. It is based at Kobe Central Jetty.

HYOGO BRIDGES

Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge is the massive bridge which joins the islands of Honshu and Shikoku together. The Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge is located on the edge of Kobe.

Kobe Ohashi Bridge is a major bridge that connects the man made Kobe Port Island with Kobe.

HYOGO SPORTING VENUES

Hanshin Racecourse is one of the ten major racecourses in Japan. Hanshin Racecourse is located in Takarazuka, a residential area of Kobe.

HYOGO LAKES and BAYS

Nunobiki Waterfalls are located part way down Mt Rokko and above Kobe.

HYOGO ISLANDS

Kobe Port Island is a man-made island created in 1981. Connected with the Kobe main land by Kobe Ohashi Bridge , it is a town with many high-rise apartments, a few universities, hotels, convention centers and a business center.

HYOGO AMUSEMENT PARKS

Mosaic Garden Amusement Park features a Ferris wheel, roller coaster and many other rides. Mosaic Garden Amusement Park is located within the Kobe Harborland development.

HYOGO AIRPORTS

Kobe Airport is a domestic airport located on an artificial island just off the coast of Kobe. Kobe Airport is mainly serviced by Skymark Airlines. Kobe Airport has the IATA code UKB.

HYOGO TRAIN STATIONS

Sannomiya Station for the Hankyu line in Sannomiya, the center of Kobe.

Sannomiya Station - Hanshin is for the Hanshin line in Sannomiya, the center of Kobe.

Sannomiya Station - JR, the Japan Rail station in Sannomiya, the center of Kobe.

Sannomiya Station - Port liner part of the Mono rail in Kobe.

Sannomiya Station - Subway is for the suburban subway line in Sannomiya, the center of Kobe.

Shin-Kobe Station is the only station in Kobe serviced by the Sanyo Shinkansen.

HYOGO SHOPPING

Canal Garden is a shopping mall and fitness center within Kobe Harborland. Kobe Harborland is waterfront development next to JR Kobe Station.

Culmeni Shopping Plaza is located within the Kobe Harborland development.

Duo Kobe – shopping mall expands both north and south from JR Kobe Station and forms part of the Kobe Harborland.

Famlio is family focused shopping and entertainment complex within Kobe Harborland.

Ha-Re is a shopping mall within the Kobe Harborland development.

Hankyu Department Store Kobe is a famous department store located within Kobe Harborland development.

HDC Kobe is the Housing Design Center Kobe which forms part of the Kobe Harborland development.

Kobe Mosaic is a complex of shopping streets, amusement park and cinema within the Kobe Harborland development.

OPA Sannomiya is a shopping Center in the central area of Kobe, Sannomiya.

Promena Kobe is a shopping center located within the Kobe Harborland development in Kobe.