Hyogo Hidden Gems
A prefecture that reaches from the Seto Inland Sea to the Sea of Japan — a cosmopolitan port, Japan's finest castle, and mountain hot springs.
6 spots
Climate & Best Season
Mild on the southern coast, snowy in the north around Kinosaki. Spring and autumn are best; crab season peaks in winter.
Famous For (Food)
- Kobe beef
- Akashi-yaki
- Sake (Nada district)
- Izushi soba
Signature Sights
- Himeji Castle (UNESCO)
- Kinosaki Onsen
- Kobe harbour & Kitano
- Takeda Castle ruins
Himeji Castle — Japan's Most Beautiful Original Castle
Himeji Castle (姫路城) is Japan's finest surviving feudal castle, nicknamed 'White Heron Castle' (白鷺城) for its brilliant wh…
Kokoen Garden — Nine Edo-Period Gardens
Kokoen Garden (好古園) is a collection of nine separate Edo-period style gardens built on the former site of samurai reside…
Himeji Oden — Local Comfort Food with Ginger Soy
Himeji oden (姫路おでん) is the city's soul food — simmered fish cakes, daikon radish, boiled eggs, and konnyaku served with…
Shoshazan Engyoji Temple — Mountain Monastery & Film Location
Engyoji Temple (円教寺) sits atop Mt. Shosha (書写山, 371m), a sprawling mountain monastery founded in 966 CE. The complex inc…
Himeji Central Park Safari — Drive-Through Wildlife
Himeji Central Park (姫路セントラルパーク) is a combined safari park and amusement park where visitors drive through wildlife encl…
Himeji Tegai Yaki Anagomeshi — Grilled Eel Rice Box
Anagomeshi (穴子飯) is Himeji's ekiben (station bento) specialty — grilled saltwater eel (anago, 穴子) over seasoned rice in…