Hyogo兵庫県

Numerous cultural heritage sites, the most famous of which is Himeji Castle. San-in Kaigan Coast National Park is a natural attraction.

Hyogo prefecture is situated in the western part of Kinki Region (Midwest Japan) facing Seto Inland Sea to the south and the Sea of Japan to the north. There are scenic places like Seto Inland Sea National Park, San-in Kaigan Coast National Park, Rokko Mountains and Awaji-shima Island. It also has numerous cultural heritage represented by Himeji Castle which is a World Cultural Heritage.

Seto Inland Sea coastline enjoys sunny, moderate weather and has big cities such as Kobe with one of the leading trading ports in Japan, the Kobe Port, and castle city Himeji, as well as Mt. Rokko-san area known as a health resort. Kobe that is the core of the prefecture's administration and economy is an exotic port city. On Port Island, an artificial land floating in the Kobe Port, is the International Convention Center. The meridian line at 135 degrees east longitude runs through Akashi City and Japanese Standard Time is measured according to this line.


Coastline on the Japan Sea side that belongs to San-in Kaigan Coast National Park reveals complex and varied scenery. At Tajimamihoura and Kasumi beaches you can see formative arts of intricate coastline, washed reef, and cave mouth created by rough wave of the Japan Sea.