In parts of Japan where you find a major city (or two), I find that the rest of a given prefecture can disappear beneath the urban excitement. One of the most unfortunate instances of this? Hyogo prefecture, which is home (among other destinations) to Kobe.
Now, I’m not saying that Kobe isn’t worth visiting—it is!—or that you shouldn’t spend a larger portion of your time in Hyogo-ken within the limits of Kobe-shi.
What I am saying? You won’t regret it if you take even a short break from wa-gyu to visit some of the other spots in my Hyogo travel guide.
Where to Base Yourself in Hyogo
As you might imagine, most Hyogo hotels are in Kobe City. If you plan to explore the prefecture extensively but won’t be renting a car, I’d just staying either near Sannomiya Station (which is the main transport hub for ordinary trains in Kobe) or “up the hill” near Shin-Kobe Station, the city’s Shinkansen bullet train station. Hotels in Kobe run the gamut from simple business hotels such as remm plus Kobe Sannomiya, to more luxurious properties like Hotel Okura Kobe.
Obviously, you don’t have to stay in Kobe-proper. If you have a car, for example, and want a place with parking, you could sleep in nearby Arima Onsen. Gekkoen Kokoran is one of my favorite onsen hotels in the Kobe area, and makes a great base for exploring Hyogo, Alternatively, destinations like Himeji and Akashi have some hotels, though there are obviously many fewer options than you’d have in Kobe.
What to Do in Hyogo Prefecture
Eat your weight in wa-gyu in Kobe
Eating Kobe beef (which is actually farmed offshore on Awaji Island—more on that place in a second) is not the only thing to do in Kobe. You can explore one of Japan’s largest Chinatowns; visit an amazing viewpoints that’s also home to an herb garden; and discover a former foreign settlement hidden in plain sight. But you also owe yourself an excellent wa-gyu meal!
Believe the hype about Himeji Castle
Likewise, while I would never limit your Hyogo itinerary to Himeji Castle, it lives up to every bit of hype around it. In fact, I’d go so far as to say that Himeji-jo is the most satisfying of all Japan’s 12 “original” castles, even if it’s also a bit more expensive and crowded than most of the others. Conveniently, it’s just 15 minutes—by foot—north of Himeji Station.
Go off the beaten path in Awaji Island
Awaji Island is not just a repository for cows, but one of the most authentic places you can visit in Japan, whether you cross the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge via bus on in your own private car. Although there are a few proper “attractions” (I’m looking at you, Izanagi Shrine), Awaji-shima is all about the vibes. And the onions—so many onions!
Visit Akashi’s superlative seafood market
Speaking of Akashi City, it’s home to one of the most underrated (but still fabulous) things to do in Hyogo: the Uo-no-tana market.Though popular among locals, it’s delightfully empty of foreign tourists, who are busy over in Osaka at Kuromon Market, completely oblivious to its existence. Let their loss be your gain, both as you take pictures and people-watching, and also as you enjoy local Akashi-yaki octopus-and-eel dumplings.
Soothe your sore body in Kinosaki Onsen
The Kansai region has many blessings as a tourist destination—hot springs is generally not one of them. A notable exception to this rule (beyond Kobe’s own admittedly small Arima Onsen) is Kinosaki Onsen, located near the city of Toyooka about as far from Kobe as it is from Kyoto. I typically prefer coming here for a day trip—it’s a challenge to visit all seven main onsen, though it is possible—but overnight stays are nice in the right context.
How Long Do You Need in Hyogo Prefecture?
I’ll admit that it can be difficult to spend very long in Hyogo-ken. This is especially true if you’re already planning to visit Kyoto and/or Osaka, which can easily occupy a week or more of your time, particularly if it’s your first time in Japan. The idea of devoting additional time to somewhere so close can seem frivolous, given how much else of the country remains to be explored.
With this being said, if you’re committed to exploring (or, if you’re simply flexible in terms of how many days in Hyogo you spend), the sky is the limit. If you’re able to 2-3 days to the prefecture, you can base yourself in Kobe and take 1-2 day trips. For a more comprehensive trip, meanwhile, plan on spending no less than 5-7 days, which will allow you to take your time digging deep.
Other FAQ About Visiting Japan’s Hyogo Prefecture
How many days to spend in Hyogo?
Hyogo is one of Japan’s most interesting prefectures, even if its proximity to Osaka and Kyoto means that many travelers overlook it. While you’d ideally spend 5-7 days in Hyogo, I know that for most travelers, even 2-3 days is probably more generous than they’re able to be.
What is Hyogo, Japan known for?
Hyogo, Japan is most famous for the city of Kobe and the world heritage site of Himeji Castle, though you can find other amazing attractions here as well. In particular, some of my favorites are Awaji Islands, the Uo-no-tana seafood market and the Kinosaki Onsen hot springs town.
Is Hyogo close to Osaka?
Hyogo prefecture is extremely close to Osaka—well, parts of it, anyway. While Kobe is less than half an hour away by train, certain Hyogo destinations (I’m thinking of Toyooka and nearby Kinosaki Onsen) are several hours away if you take a train, and slightly closer by car.
The Bottom Line
I hope you’ve found my Hyogo travel guide helpful. For some of you, a morning at Himeji Castle or the Akashi Fish Market is the only add-ons you’ll make to what is otherwise a Kobe city trip. In other instances you’ll explore more intently, whether that’s an excursion to Kinosaki Onsen or Awaji Island, or more ideally overnight stay on one or both. I think you’ll find, in any case, that Hyogo-ken is so much more than Kobe-shi, even if Kobe remains one of my favorite cities in Japan, and also one of its most underrated. Need personalized help incorporation Hyogo into your Japan trip? Commission a custom Japan itinerary today!
