You will receive a free quarterly E-mail Newsletter! Ryokan & Restaurants in Hyogo which are English-friendly. Guided Tours Available by volunteers in Hyogo Translation Service is also available. ~Castles & Castle Towns~ Castles & Castle Towns [ Sample Itinerary ] Himeji Castle(Harima) / Akashi Castle(Harima) / Ako Castle(Harima) Tatsuno Castle(Harima) / Takeda Castle Ruins(Tajima) / Izushi Castle(Tajima) Sasayama Castle(Tanba) / Sumoto Castle(Awaji) SASAYAMA CASTLE RUINS famous for beautiful cherry blossoms, OLD TAMBA POTTERY MUSEUM, ANMA’S MUSEUM and others. Sasayama is a castle town, which preserves traditional culture and history. The stone walls and moats of Sasayama Castle survive in the same state as when they were built. In April, a cherry blossom festival is held and you can see Musha-Gyoretsu (the warrior procession), a parade of people dressed in samurai costume. From Kobe to Sasayama Sannomiya Station – about 80 minutes by JR(change at Amagasaki) – Sasayama-guchi Station – 15 minutes by Shinki Bus – Nikaimachi Bus Stop Nikaimachi Bus Stop (You can rent a bicycle for a fee near this bus stop) 10 minutes on foot SASAYAMA MUSEUM OF HISTORY AND ART TEL:079-552-0601 The building that houses the Sasayama Museum of History and Art was used as a courthouse in the 19th century. Now it displays weapons, ceramics, folding screens called Byobu and so on. Open: 9:00-16:30 Admission: ¥300 Closed: Wednesdays 5 minutes on foot TAMBA BREWER MEMORIAL HALL TEL:079-552-0003 Tamba-Sasayama is famous for sake brewing, and it is said that people here make the best sake in Japan. This museum shows various implements, documents and the process of sake brewing from the old days. Open: 9:00-16:30 Closed: New Years Holiday Admission: ¥100 5 minutes on foot KAWARAMACHI-TSUMAIRI MERCHANT HOUSES TEL:079-552-3380 This area prospered as the center of commerce in Sasayama. Old houses with white walls and lattice windows create a special atmosphere of the old days. 1 minute on foot OLD TAMBA POTTERY MUSEUM TEL:079-552-2524 Tamba is very famous place for its pottery. It displays the masterpieces of ancient Tamba Ware. It has 312 pieces of Tamba Ware designated as important cultural assets. Open: 9:00-17:00 Closed on Monday. *If a holiday falls on Monday, the next day is closed. 7 minutes on foot ANMA’S MUSEUM (the former residence of samurai) TEL:079-552-6933 This museum used to be the residence of samurai in the 19th century. It has a thatched roof main house and a tiled roof shed, and displays ancient documents, armors, and so on. Here, you can learn the everyday life of samurai in this period. Open: 9:00-16:30 Closed on Monday. If a holiday falls on Monday, the next day is closed Admission: ¥200 5 minutes on foot SASAYAMA CASTLE RUINS TEL:079-552-4500 (Dai-shoin) Sasayama Castle was built under the orders of Ieyasu Tokugawa, the first shogun of the Edo period (17th century). It displays a miniature of the castle and illustrations that show how the castle was built. Open: 9:00-17:00 Closed on first and third Thursday. *When national holidays fall on Thursday, closed the following Friday. Admission: ¥400 (Dai-shoin) **For more information http://www.hyogo-tourism.jp/english/castle_town/ 5 minutes on foot Nikaimachi Bus Stop The Top of This Page Hyogo Tourism Association Hyogo Prefectural Government Bldg. No.1,5-10-1 Shimoyamate-dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan Postal Code:650-8567 Tel:078-361-7661 Fax:078-361-7662 e-mail: