Discover Hyogo Prefecture
In the central-eastern part of Honshu Island lies Kansai's prefecture Hyogo. It is home to the famous Himeji castle, and Kobe is the prefecture's capital. The latter is an internationally renowned region for its gastronomy and its port area, Kobe Harborland. Hyogo is bordered by the Tottori Prefecture in the northwest, Okayama in the southwest, Kyoto in the east and Osaka in the southwest.
Figures on Hyogo Prefecture
The prefecture has a population of about 5,465,000. Most of its inhabitants live in Kobe (1,525,152). The other two big cities are Himeji (530,495 inhabitants) and Nishinomiya (485,857 inhabitants).
Cities in Hyogo prefecture
Kobe is located in the south of the prefecture, in Osaka Bay, and is Hyogo's main attraction. People visit the city for its world-famous "Kobe beef". North-east of Kobe lies the city of Miki which is known for its rice production. A little further east, the city of Akashi has one of the longest suspension bridges in the world. It connects the small island of Awaji, known for its daffodil village. Himeji, another city in the east, attracts Japanese and foreign tourists with its famous castle. Hikers will enjoy treks to Mount Seppiko (more in the center), or to Mounts Hinakurasan, Ushiro and Mimuro (in the northwest).
Economy of Hyogo
Hyogo is an international trade center with an international port. Transport, trade, especially maritime trade, retailing, manufacturing, real estate, and the service sector are all part of the city's core activities. Tourism is also an economic pillar and contributes to boosting the existing sectors (real estate, services, trade, etc.). The prefecture also boasts renowned universities, such as Kobe University, while collaborating with companies in the field of research and innovation.
Tourism in Hyogo prefecture
If you want to go for a walk on the beach, head to Harborland. Kobe Harborland is the bustling city center. Dedicated to shopping, dining, and entertainment, it is also the main tourist attraction of Kobe. Connoisseurs will not miss the Anpanman Museum, which is entirely dedicated to the bread-headed cartoon hero.
To the north, Shinonsen is a small town surrounded by mountains which, as its name indicates, has developed around Japanese thermal baths called onsen. The three main towns are Yumura, Shichikama and Hamasaka. Further south lies Yabu which offers preserved and unique natural landscapes, such as the Yabu waterfalls.
Besides Kobe beef, there is also akashiyaki, a sort of takoyaki (dumplings filled with pieces of octopus). Another local specialty is ikanago, a small fish prepared with soy sauce, ginger, mirin and sugar, which confer it a unique, unmistakable taste.
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