Hanshin Electric Railway Home > Area Guide > Hyogo
Recommended Places to Visit
Kobe’s attractiveness includes its classical townscape with “Ijinkan” Foreign Residence Area and Former Foreign Settlement. Mt.Rokko Range, spreading east to west, command a "ten-million dollar night view" of Kobe. The area between Kobe & Osaka, in which unique cultures have been fostered under the influences of both cities, is also Japan’s leading sake brewery area with many sake warehouses standing in rows. We will introduce attractiveness unique to Hyogo which has been created by its history and location.
Himeji & Maiko
World Cultural Heritage and National Treasure Himeji Castle
Himeji Castle was registered on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1993 with Horyuji Temple and others as the first such sites in Japan. The castle is often called Shirasagijo (white heron castle) because of its elegant appearance. Himeji Castle’s Main Keep is currently under restoration (to be completed at the end of March 2015).
Access：Approx.15-minute walk from Sanyo Line, Sanyo-Himeji Sta.
http://www.himeji-kanko.jp/en/spot/ss001.html
Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge
Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge is the world’s longest suspension bridge, with a length of 3,911 m , connecting Honshu, the main island of Japan, and Awaji island.
Access：Approx.5-minute walk from Sanyo Line ,Maiko-Koen Sta.
http://www.jb-honshi.co.jp/english/technology/akashi.html
Kobe-West Area
Tetsujin 28-go Monument
This huge monument is a reproduction of Tetsujin 28-go, the main character of the comic series Tetsujin 28-go by Mitsuteru Yokoyama, a cartoonist from Kobe. The monument was created as a symbol of the recovery from the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake and the revitalization of its communities.
http://www.kobe-tetsujin.com/index.html (in Japanese)
Nagata Shrine
This shrine is popular for its god of commerce and industry. "Tsuina-shiki" (a ritual to drive away evil spirits) held on the day of "setsubun" (the day before the calendrical beginning of spring) has been designated an intangible folk cultural asset of Hyogo Prefecture.
Access：Approx.7-minute walk from Hanshin Kosoku-Nagata Sta.
http://nagatajinja.jp/html/ (in Japanese)
Hyogo Daibutsu (Great Buddha),Nofuku Temple
This temple is known as a place where Taira no Kiyomori (a general in the late Heian period of Japan) became a priest. It houses the Hyogo Daibutsu(Great Buddha),once regarded as one of the three Great Buddhas in Japan, on par with the ones in Nara and Kamakura.
Access：Approx.13-minute walk from Hanshin Daikai Sta.
Kobe Art Village Center
The Kobe Art Village Center is a creative art and cultural facility that aims to nurture young artists and to reconstruct Shinkaichi as an art village.
Access：Approx.5-minute walk from Hanshin Shinkaichi Sta.
http://kavc.or.jp/ (in Japanese)
Minatogawa Shrine
This shrine worships Kusunoki Masashige (a samurai in the Namboku-cho period of Japan) who committed suicide after defeat in the Battle of Minatogawa in this area. Items related to him are kept in its Treasure House.
Access：A few minutes’walk from Hanshin Kosoku-Kobe Sta.
http://www.minatogawajinja.or.jp/ (in Japanese)
Kobe Harborland
This is an entertainment zone that contains shops, an amusement park and restaurants. Kobe Harborland is the No.1 date spot in Kobe, thanks partly to rumors that various objects and monuments in the area can assist in creating a successful romantic relationship. The Gaslight Street, which is romantic with its illumination, and the Harbor Walk with brick warehouses standing in a row are perfect settings for a stroll!
Access：Approx. a 5-minute walk from Hanshin Kosoku Kobe Sta.
http://www.harborland.co.jp/en/index.html
Sannomiya, Motomachi and Kitano Area
Meriken Park & Kobe Maritime Museum
This is a refreshing seafront park that commands a fine view of Port Tower, one of the landmarks of Kobe. The Kobe Maritime Museum, a facility featuring a white wave-like appearance, offers substantial exhibits based on the sea and port under the themes of “Port of Kobe – Today to Future” and “Port of Kobe from the Historical Perspective.” This area is famous for its light-up night view.
Access：Approx. a 10-minute walk from Hanshin Motomachi Sta.
http://www.kobe-meriken.or.jp/english/
Kobe Port Cruise
To fully enjoy the charms of a port town, one recommended choice is to take a cruise that gives a taste of elegance. Various pleasure boats such as “Luminous Kobe 2” and “Concerto” offer their services. Refreshed by a sea breeze, visitors can enjoy a different aspect of Kobe.
http://www.luminouskobe.co.jp/ (in Japanese)
Access：“Concerto,” Approx. a 15-minute walk from Kosoku Kobe Sta.
http://www.kobeconcerto.com/English/index.asp
Former Foreign Settlement
This is an area with nostalgic brick and stone buildings, Western-style houses and shops standing side by side. How about taking an enjoyable walk and visiting some interesting shops while viewing an exotic townscape that is reminiscent of old images? If walking makes you tired, taking a rest at a café is a good move.
approx. a 5-minute walk from Hanshin Sannomiya Sta.
http://www.kobe-kyoryuchi.com/
Kobe City Museum
Under the theme of “International Cultural Exchange—Contact Between and Changes in Eastern and Western Cultures, ”this museum has a collection with as many as 40,000 items. It focuses on archeological and historic materials and materials related to cultural exchanges between the East and the West, including old maps and works of namban/koumou or Spanish & Portuguese/Dutch art.
Access：Approx. a 10-minute walk from Hanshin Sannomiya/Motomachi Sta.
http://www.city.kobe.lg.jp/museum/
Nankinmachi (Chinatown)
This is Kansai’s only Chinatown. Not only Chinese restaurants but also food stores and variety stores are crammed into this area. It is said that since its establishment in the year of opening of the port of Kobe, Nankinmachi has developed step by step. Nankinmachi is most bustling during the Chinese New Year Festival, now one of the symbols of Kobe. The festival features a dragon dance and lion dance, drawing tourists from throughout Japan.
南京町商店街振興組合 http://www.nankinmachi.or.jp/ (in Japanese)
Kobe Kachoen (Flower and Bird Park)
In this fully air-conditioned glasshouse, many colorful garden plants are grown, including water lilies and begonias. Views of birds such as snipes, peacocks and water birds flocking to the waterside are relaxing. Visitors can have a good time with birds and flowers everywhere.
Access：Hanshin Sannomiya → Approx. a 1-minute walk from Port Liner, “Port Island Minami” Sta.
http://www.kamoltd.co.jp/kobe/english/
Ikuta Shrine
This shrine is surrounded by the Forest of Ikuta Shrine, the site of the Battle between the Genji and the Heike Clans, and has some historical landmarks connected with both sides. The shrine is not only loved by local people as a guardian deity of the city of Kobe, but also known as a shrine of the god of marriage and a shrine to be visited by athletes to pray for victory.
Access：Approx. a 5-minute walk from Hanshin Sannomiya Sta.
http://www.ikutajinja.or.jp/language/english.html
Kitano “Ijinkan” Foreign Residence Area
In this area various Western-style residences such as “Weathercock House,” which is famous for its weathercock, and “Scale House,” which features scale-like shingled outer walls standing side by side. This area is a spot popular for its exotic townscape with many restaurants from various countries in the vicinity of these foreign residences.
Weathercock House http://www.kobe-kazamidori.com/ (in Japanese)
Scale House http://kobe-ijinkan.net/ (in Japanese)
Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens & Ropeway
Visitors are taken to top of the mountain from Kitano by the Kobe Nunobiki Ropeway, viewing the townscape of Kobe. The Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens, features approximately 75,000 herbs of more than 200 types. Visitors will be relaxed physically and mentally by the soft aroma of herb blossoms in every season.
Access：Hanshin Sannomiya Sta.
→ Approx. a 5- minute walk from Subway Shin-kobe Sta.
→ Take Kobe Nunobiki Ropeway
→ A few minutes-walk from Herb Gardens Top Sta.
http://www.japan-ryokan.net/kobeherb/en/index1.html
Mt. Rokko
Rokko-Shidare Observatory
This observatory was established in July 2010 as a new landmark in Mt. Rokko, Kobe. It commands a fine view of the area ranging from Akashi Strait to Osaka Plain, Kansai International Airport and even Osaka Bay. With a design aimed at integrating the structure into the natural surroundings of Mt. Rokko, Shidare Observatory can offer the real attractiveness of Mt. Rokko in every season. You will have an experience that no other observatories can present!
Access：Rokko Cable Car “Rokko Sanjo” Sta.
→ A few minutes walk from Rokko Sanjo Bus “Rokko Garden Terrace”
http://www.rokkosan.com/ (in Japanese)
Rokko Garden Terrace
This is a very popular spot, as one of the greatest night views in Japan. Commanding a night view of the city of Kobe, featuring stylish shops and restaurants, and being blessed with abundant nature, the Rokko Garden Terrace is an area recommended for dating couples.
Access：Rokko Cable Car “Rokko Sanjo” Sta.
→ A few minutes walk from Rokko Sanjo Bus “Rokko Garden Terrace”
http://www.rokkosan.com/ (in Japanese)
ROKKO INTERNATIONAL MUSICAL BOX MUSEUM
This museum exhibits antique music boxes and automatic music players from around the world. Visitors can listen to the beautiful tones of music boxes, try playing musical instruments and experience creating their own music boxes. (Charged)
Access：Rokko Cable Car “Rokko Sanjo” Sta. → A few minutes walk from Rokko Sanjo Bus “Orugoru Museum-mae”
http://www.rokkosan.com/ (in Japanese)
Rokko Alpine Botanical Garden
With weather equivalent to that of the southern part of Hokkaido, the botanical garden grows approximately 1,500 varieties of wild plants, including native plants and plants from cold regions - focusing on alpine plants from places around the world, such as the Alps and the Himalayas. Have a refreshing experience with colorful rare plants that add color to the garden.
Open:From mid-March through mid-November
Access：Rokko Cable Car “Rokko Sanjo” Sta.
→ A few minutes walk from Rokko Sanjo Bus “Kouzan Shokubutu-en”
http://www.rokkosan.com/ (in Japanese)
Mt. Rokko Country House/Mt. Rokko Artificial Skiing Gelande
Mt. Rokko Country House is a playing field located in the national park surrounded by green areas. Visitors from children to adults can enjoy playing “Fishing” and “Putter Golf” on an extensive lawn area, as well as barbecues in the “Day Camp Site” (reservation required). In winter, this playing field is opened as Mt. Rokko Artificial Skiing Gelande.
Access：Rokko Cable Car “Rokko Sanjo” Sta.
→ A few minutes walk from Rokko Sanjo Bus “Country House”
http://www.rokkosan.com/ (in Japanese)
Rokko Cable Car
This historic cable car line opened in 1932. As the portal to Mt. Rokko, it connects Rokko Cable-shita Station and Rokko Sanjo Station, an approximately 10-minute ride covering a distance of about 1.7 km. Romantic and stylish cars with a sense of fun take visitors on a short trip to the top of Mt. Rokko.
Access：Hanshin Mikage Sta.
→ A few minutes walk from Kobe City Bus “Rokko Cable-shita”
http://www.rokkosan.com/ (in Japanese)
Kobe City Rokkosan Pasture
Visitors can see various animals such as ponies and sheep. The pasture offers the experience of producing dairy products and craft works using wool, and has a restaurant that serves milk fresh from its cows. This pasture can provide great experiences for everybody from adults to children.
Access：Rokko Cable Car “Rokko Sanjo” Sta.
→ A few minutes walk from Sky Shuttle Bus “Rokko-san Bokujo”
http://www.rokkosan.net/ (in Japanese)
Between Osaka & Kobe
Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art
This museum presents the collected works of artists from Hyogo such as Ryohei Koiso, Heizou Kanayama and Tadanori Yokoo on permanent exhibition as well as modern overseas sculptures. Since the museum building was designed by Tadao Ando, it can be said that the building itself is part of the collection.
Access：Approx. an 8-minute walk from Hanshin Iwaya Sta.
http://www.artm.pref.hyogo.jp/eng/home.html
Disaster Reduction and Human Renovation Institution
This institution is designed to hand down the experiences and lessons from the Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake to future generations. With a theater that shows a reproduction film at the moment of the earthquake, created with special effects and computer graphics, information regarding disaster prevention is conveyed.
Access：Approx.10-minute walk from Hanshin Iwaya Sta.
http://www.dri.ne.jp/english/index.html
Nadagogo
The area from Kobe to Nishinomiya is a sake brewery area that has long been called “Nadagogo.” Along the coastline, this area is dotted with historical sake warehouses: Nishi-go, Mikage-go, uozaki-go, Nishinomiya-go and Imazu-go. Museums and exhibition rooms have been established to present the tools for and histories of sake brewing that have long been handed down in this area. These facilities add interesting aspects to the fun experience of sake warehouse tours.
Kobe City Koiso Memorial Museum of Art / Kobe Fashion Museum
At the Kobe City Koiso Memorial Museum of Art, oil paintings, sketches and art prints by Ryohei Koiso, an artist from Kobe, are exhibited. The Kobe Fashion Museum, the first public fashion museum in Japan, has substantial exhibition rooms and libraries.
Phone：078-857-5880
Access：Hanshin Uozaki Sta.
→ A few minutes walk from Rokko Liner Island Kitaguchi Sta.
http://www.city.kobe.lg.jp/culture/culture/institution/koisogallery/ (in Japanese)
Kobe Fashion Museum
Phone：078-858-0050
Access：Hanshin Uozaki Sta.
→ A few minutes walk from Rokko Liner, Island Center Sta.
http://www.fashionmuseum.or.jp/english/index.html
Tanizaki Junichiro Memorial Museum of Literature, Ashiya
This is a memorial museum constructed in Ashiya, a city, where Junichiro Tanizaki loved. Articles related to Junichiro Tanizaki, such as hand-written manuscripts, letters and photos, are displayed here. As a spot that can give visitors insights into the literature of Tanizaki, the memorial museum has been popular among people not only in Ashiya but also throughout Japan.
Access：Approx. a 15-minute walk from Hanshin Ashiya Sta.
http://www.tanizakikan.com/ (in Japanese)
Ashiya City Museum of Art & History
This museum was established in 1991 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the organizing of the municipal system in Ashiya. Masterpieces of paintings and articles from Japan and overseas are exhibited, focusing on artists from Ashiya such as Narashige Koide. In Koide’s studio, which was reconstructed in the garden, personal effects of this late artist such as painting materials and manuscripts are exhibited.
Access：Approx. a 15-minute walk from Hanshin Ashiya Sta.
Otani Memorial Art Museum Nishinomiya City
This museum was opened when a businessman Takejiro Otani donated to Nishinomiya City his residence and art works he had collected for years. The museum houses and displays mainly modern paintings by artists such as Gustave Courbet, Andre Derain, Ryuzaburo Umehara and Taikan Yokoyama, and holds special exhibitions four times a year.
Access：Approx. a 6-minute walk from Hanshin Koroen Sta.
http://otanimuseum.jp/home/ (in Japanese)
Nishinomiya Shrine
Nishinomiya Shrine is the head shrine of about 3,500 shrines of the Ebisu Shinto sect throughout Japan. The God of prosperous business is worshiped here. Locals call the shrine “Ebessan of Nishinomiya.” It is famous for its “Fukuotoko-erabi” or “Lucky Men” race in Toka-Ebisu Festival, held on January 10th every year.
Access：Approx. a 5-minute walk from Hanshin Nishinomiya Sta.
http://www.decca-japan.com/nishinomiya_ebisu/ (in Japanese)
Hanshin Koshien Stadium / The Museum of Hanshin Koshien Stadium
The stadium is the home ground of the “Hanshin Tigers,” one of the professional baseball teams in Japan, and a “sacred site” for the National High School Baseball Tournament, which is very popular in Japan. In March 2010, in addition to the opening of The Museum of Hanshin Koshien Stadium, in which the histories of the high school baseball tournament and the Hanshin Tigers are presented, monuments such as “Baseball Monument” were completed to add new attractions to Koshien Stadium.
Access：Approx. a 3-minute walk from Hanshin Koshien Sta.
Hanshin Koshien Stadium: http://www.hanshin.co.jp/koshien/ (in Japanese)
The Museum of Hanshin Koshien Stadium:
http://www.koshien-rekishikan.com (in Japanese)
KidZania Koshien
Located in a shopping center, Lalaport Koshien, KidZania Koshien is a facility that offers kids role-playing activities in a realistic occupational and social setting. Kids are paid like adults with special currency for their work, and can use the money for shopping and lessons. The Hanshin Electric Railway exhibits the world’s first “train pavilion” here.
Access：Approx. an 8-minute walk from Hanshin Koshien Sta.
http://www.kidzania.jp/koshien/about/e_index.html
Teramachi
When Amagasaki Castle was constructed in the Edo Period, temples throughout the city were gathered in this district. Currently the district has 11 temples, leaving the vestiges of the former castle town. In 1989, this district was designated as one of the Beautiful Urban Design Areas of Amagasaki City.
The World Money Box Museum
This is one of the largest money box museums in the world. It houses approximately 13,000 money banks from 62 countries. Among them, about 2,500 are displayed in the permanent exhibition. Visitors can enjoy the history of money banks, which extends from medieval to modern periods.
Access：Approx. a 5-minute walk from HanshinAmagasaki Sta.
http://www.amashin.co.jp/sekai/index.htm (in Japanese)