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. Sannnomiya/Motomachi Area / Kobe City Port Area / Mt.Rokko/Mt.Maya Area / East Kobe Area / Hyogo/Nagata Area / Suma/Maiko Area / West Kobe Area / North Kobe Area Sannnomiya/Motomachi Area [Kitano Ijinkan (Western-style Houses)] A famous tourist spot of Kobe where rows of nostalgic Western-style houses stand. Kazamidori-no Yakata (Weathercock House), built by a German architect, is made of rustic brick, and is marked by a weathercock on the roof. 9:00 – 18:00 (9:30 – 17:00 Dec. through March),closed 4th Tue. of the month (and Wed. if Tue. is a holiday) ¥300 for Adult (high school age and under free) TEL:078-242-3223 Moegi-no Yakata (Yellow-green House) was constructed as a residence for US Consul General Hunter Sharp. Its colonial-style verandas and bay windows are impressive. 9:00 – 18:00 (9:30 – 17:00 Dec. through March),closed 2nd Wed. of the month (and Thu. if Wed. is a holiday) ¥300 for Adult (high school age and under free) TEL:078-222-3310 Rain-no Yakata (Line House) is so-called literally because the shingle lines are so beautiful. There are approximately 20 more privately-operated Western-style Houses. 9:00 – 18:00 (9:30 – 17:00 Dec. through March),9:30 – 17:00, closed 4th Thu. Free. TEL:078-222-3403 Take a City Loop Bus 9 minutes to Kitano Ijinkan Stop or 15 minute walk from JR / Hanshin / Hankyu Sannomiya Station. The Top of This Page [Ikuta Shrine / Minatogawa Shrine] An historic shrine noted in the Chronicles of Japan, Ikuta provides an oasis for wild birds in the city center with abundant greenery. The museum at Minatogawa Shrine has an exhibit of approximately 200 items associated with Kobe's historic warrior Masashige Kusunoki. Ikuta Shrine: 5 minute walk from JR / Hanshin / Hankyu Sannomiya Station. Minatogawa Shrine: 5 minute walk from JR Kobe Station/Subway Okurayama Station or right off Kosoku Kobe Station. The Top of This Page [Sorakuen] An authentic Japanese garden created during the early Taisho period (1910's) at the site of the residence of former Kobe City mayor Kenkichi Kodera. 400 azalea plants fully bloom for 1 month from the beginning of April; chrysanthemum exhibitions are held in fall. 9:00-17:00 (The last admission is 16:30.) closed Thursday (When national holidays fall on Thursdays, closed the following Friday.) ¥300 / Adult, ¥150 / Child TEL: 078-341-1191 15 minute walk from JR / Hanshin Motomachi Station or 5 minute walk from Subway Kencho-mae Station. The Top of This Page [Nunobiki Herb Park] The Park, located at the foot of the Mt. Rokko, provides a sweeping view from Osaka Bay area to Kobe City and Port.  About 200 species of 75,000 herb plants are grown in the garden, giving off a fragrant aroma.  Visitors can take a variety of lessons such as, aroma therapy, cooking, art.  Concerts are held in the Mori-no-Hall. Open everyday, expect periodic inspection of the ropeway usually in January. (Scheduled from January 17 – 31) March 20 – July 19 & September 1 – November 30 10:00 – 17:00 (weekdays) 10:00 – 20:30 (Saturday, Sunday and national holidays) July 20 – August 31 10:00 – 20:30 December 1 – March 19 10:00 – 17:00 Admission :¥200 for Adult TEL:078-271-1131 / FAX:078-271-1133 Ropeway Fare is 550 yen for one-way, 1,000 yen for round-trip for Adult. A 40 minute walk from Shin Kobe Station.   On the way to the Park, hikers can enjoy a view of waterfall called Nunobiki Waterfall. The Top of This Page [Nunobiki Waterfall ] When walking to Nunobiki Herb Park, four beautiful waterfalls can be found.   A ten minute walk up from Kobe City Subway Shin-Kobe Station or Super Express, Shinkansen, Shin-Kobe Station. For details, see the column how to reach the waterfall. The Top of This Page [Kitano Meister Garden] Kitano Meister Garden has 21 workshops and other activities related to signature Kobe  items such as bread, cake, chocolate, coffee, craftwork, shoes, and Japanese washi paper  in an old building that was once an elementary school.  Along with seeing the skills of the craftsmen, a variety of foods can be tasted and even made on some occasions. Address: 3-17-1 Nakayamate-dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe Tel.:078-200-3607 Open: 10:00 - 18:00 Closed:  3rd Tuesday of the month except October - December and December 29 - January 3. Admission:Free Access: 18 minute walk from JR/Hankyu/Hanshin Sannomiya Station15 minute walk from JR/Hanshin Motomachi Station The Top of This Page [Kyukyoryuchi (Former Foreign Residences)] Developed by foreigners who came to Japan upon the opening of the port to reside and trade, rows of brick and stone Western buildings once stood here.  Some of these buildings still remain, evoking a nostalgic atmosphere. 15 minute walk from JR / Hanshin Motomachi, Sannomiya Stations.                    The Top of This Page [Kobe City Museum] Using an entire bank building constructed in 1935 in the foreign residencial district, this Greek-style stone structure has a profound presence.  There are models that how the foreign residences looked during the Meiji Era. 10:00 – 17:00, closed Mon. (When national holidays fall on Mondays, closed the following Tuesday.) ¥200 for Adult for permanent & seasonal exhibitions. Special exhibitions require special charges. TEL:078-391-0035 The Top of This Page [Nankin-machi] One of the 3 major Chinatowns in Japan.   As one passes under the entrance gate, one experiences the atmosphere of a shopping area in China. There is cuisine from all regions of China to taste here, with an advance of foodstuffs and other goods. A visit during the Spring Festival which celebrates the Lunar New Year in China makes you forget that you are in Japan. Nankin-machi Shopping District Promotion Association Office: TEL:078-332-2896 5 minute walk from JR/Hanshin Motomachi Station. 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: