Visit HYOGO

This famous castle is representative of Japan, being the country’s first registered UNESCO World Heritage site together with Horyuji Temple in Nara. Its beautiful white walls have given it the nickname “white heron castle,” and visitors are captivated by its elegant shape, resembling a heron spreading its wings. This castle boasts around 400 years of history, and has been passed down to us today in its original form as a castle that escaped the fires and ravages of war.

Its ingenious design to prevent enemy invasion is one reason for its fame. The castle’s clever tricks, such as its complex, maze-like pathways and steep steps, excite each time you step inside. We also recommend looking for the kokuin, the carved seals of the stonemasons engraved all over the stone walls. The top floor of the keep offers a superb 360-degree panoramic view! Enjoy picturesque scenery as you look out over the castle town and the distant mountains.

Himeji Castle’s countenance differs in each season. In the spring, the blooming cherry blossoms create a contrast between the white keep and the pink flowers, with particularly breathtaking beauty. Plus, you mustn’t miss the castle when it is lit up at night in white, bringing out the white plaster, and in seasonal colors.

Koko-en garden is located on the former site of the Nishi-oyashiki, the western residences of World Heritage Site Himeji Castle. It is a Japanese stroll garden that incorporates the sight of Himeji Castle in its vista. Koko-en was opened in 1992, and nine tasteful gardens stretch across its wide area, created in the style of the Edo period (1603–1868).

The Oyashiki no Niwa (Garden of the Lord’s Residence) in the center of Kokoen offers dynamic scenery with a waterfall, pond, and small river. The graceful koi carp in the pond and the seasonal flowers draw the eye with their bright color. The Nagare no Hiraniwa (Flatly Landscaped Garden) lies in the midst of a bamboo grove; here, you can spend a special time in the Souju-an Teahouse, with the comforting sound of clear water. Savor matcha green tea and confections with a moment of relaxation. There’s also a number of other elaborately designed gardens, such as the Nae no Niwa (Seedling Garden) where lots of different flowers bloom in each season, that captivate visitors.

Koko-en Garden displays different scenery throughout the year, with cherry blossoms in the spring, fresh greenery in the early summer, crimson leaves in the fall, and snowscapes in the winter. The vividly colored leaves illuminated in the fall are a particular highlight, standing out against the darkness of the night with breathtaking beauty. Why not spend some time in these picturesque gardens, filled with a feeling of history, and experience the four seasons of Japan?

Kobe’s Nankinmachi is one of Japan’s three big Chinatowns, together with Yokohama Chinatown and Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown. Located in an area measuring 270 meters east-west and 110 meters north-south that is a quick walk away from JR/Hanshin Motomachi Station, the lively streets of Nankinmachi buzz with Chinese eateries and general goods stores. The historic streetscape was built by people who came to Japan from China with the opening of the Port of Kobe in the Meiji period (1868–1912), and remains today.

Nankinmachi’s greatest appeal has to be trying the different foods! Appetizing aromas drift from the stalls along the road, and you can easily enjoy authentic Chinese gourmet dishes, including butaman steamed pork buns, xiaolongbao soup dumplings, Peking duck, and shark fin soup here. Stores you’ll especially want to visit are the long-established Roushouki, said to have sold the first butaman in Japan, and the YUNYUN, offering popular fried xiaolongbao.

Crimson gates and lanterns line the streets, and taking in this Chinatown’s exotic ambiance is a fascinating experience. The central Nankinmachi Square is a perfect place for a commemorative photograph.

This Chinatown holds plenty of events—in addition to Shunsetsusai, the celebration of the lunar new year, and the mid-Autumn festival, which celebrates the harvest moon, you can also enjoy the December Lantern Fair, with magical lamps. It's a destination that is lively throughout the year.

*Please don't eat/drink as you are walking around

Meriken Park, with its pleasant sea breezes, is home to many of the symbols of the Port of Kobe. This waterfront area is a representative part of Kobe, made up of the once-bustling Meriken Wharf (derived from “American Wharf”) and the reclaimed land of Japan’s first modern quay.

It is full of highlights, including the Port of Kobe Earthquake Memorial Park, which informs visitors of the damage caused by the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake; Kobe Port Tower, with panoramic views of the streets of Kobe; and the Kobe Maritime Museum, created in the image of a white sailing ship!

Within the park, the “BE KOBE” monument is a particularly popular photo spot. It is lit up at night, so you can make the most of a fantastical atmosphere that merges into the port’s nightscape. The wide lawn area is a great rest spot for enjoying a picnic or stroll. The largest Starbucks in western Japan is also located here, and we recommend spending some leisurely moments there as you gaze out at the sea.

Alight at JR Kobe Station and you’ll find yourself surrounded by a place called Harborland. The mall-like streets near the sea are a facility known as Mosaic.

Mosaic has a movie theater and a Ferris wheel, as well as plenty of attractions such as all-you-can-eat seafood restaurants and cafes. We recommend relaxing and whiling away the time here with views of the sea.