 Hyogo Prefecture (兵庫県) Travel Guide
Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge, Kobe
Author: 百楽兎 (Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported)
Hyogo Prefecture (兵庫県) is a prefecture within the Kansai region of Central Japan. It covers 8.393 sq km and is the 12th biggest prefecture in the country. Hyogo Prefecture has a population of 5.6 million people (2011 estimate), putting it in 8th position out of the 47 prefectures of Japan. The prefectural capital is the city of Kobe.
Himeji Castle, Hyogo Prefecture
Author: Charles Traband (public domain)
Hyogo Prefecture was formed by merging together the former provinces of Harima, Tajima, Awaji and parts of Tamba and Settsu. The city of Kobe once served as an interim capital of Japan during the Heian Period, when Emperor Antoku moved the Imperial Court there in 1180. At that time, it was known as Fukuhara, and it served as the capital for a mere five months.
Food stalls set up during the Hana Matsuri festival
Author: Tomomarusan (Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported)
Hyogo Prefecture covers both sides of the island of Honshu, with the Sea of Japan to the north and the Inland Sea to the south. It borders Kyoto Prefecture to the northeast, Osaka Prefecture to the east, Okayama Prefecture to the southwest and Tottori Prefecture to the northwest. Located in the Inland Sea between mainland Hyogo Prefecture and the island of Shikoku is Awaji Island, also part of Hyogo Prefecture. Most of the population of Hyogo Prefecture is concentrated on the south, within the Osaka-Kyoto-Kobe metropolitan area.
Takeno Beach, Sanin Kaigan National Park
Author: Hashi photo (Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported)
Going to Hyogo Prefecture
By Plane
You can land at the Kobe Airport (UKB), or for better connections, choose the Kansai International Airport (KIX). Even the Osaka Itami Airport (ITM) is an option, as it is the busiest domestic airport in the Kansai region.
By Train
The Nozomi Shinkansen bullet train gets you from Tokyo Station to Shin-Kobe Station in 2 hours 50 minutes and costs ¥14,670. The Hikari Shinkansen bullet train takes 3 hours and 20 minutes for ¥14,270 (no charge if you hold a Japan Rail Pass).
Onaturo Bridge connecting Kobe with Naruto in Tokushima Prefecture
Author: 663highland (Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported)
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Main Cities of Hyogo Prefecture
- Kobe - capital
- Akashi
- Fukusaki
- Himeji
- Nishinomiya
- Takarazuka
Tourist Attractions of Hyogo Prefecture
- Arima Onsen
- Awaji Island
- Shinonsen
National Parks of Hyogo Prefecture
- Hyonosen-Ushiroyama-Nagisan Quasi-National Park
- Sanin Kaigan National Park
- Setonaikai National Park
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