Hyogo Travel / Hyogo Tour

Arima Onsen, located in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, is the oldest hot spring in Japan, with a history of about 1,400 years since its opening. It is characterized by its brown "kinsen" (gold spring) and colorless, transparent "ginsen" (silver spring). The hot spring town is lined with many high-class inns, including the traditional Japanese inn "Kinzan," which was awarded a Michelin star for its cuisine, and the long-established hotel "Hyoei Koyokaku," which was founded 700 years ago. The most popular hot spring facility is "Taiko no Yu." There are 26 types of baths, including "Tenka no Yu," which blends gold and silver springs, and "Golden Steam Bath," which is themed on a golden teahouse, and other baths that will pique your curiosity. There are also public outdoor baths such as "Kin no Yu" and "Gin no Yu," which can be enjoyed on a day trip.

Himeji Castle is a symbol of Hyogo Prefecture, a national treasure and registered World Heritage Site. It is said to have been built in 1346 by Akamatsu Norimura, a military commander during the Nanboku-cho period. The five-story, six-storey castle features pure white walls and is nicknamed "Shirasagi Castle" for its graceful appearance resembling a white heron spreading its wings. It is also known as a famous cherry blossom viewing spot, with around 1,000 cherry trees blooming in spring surrounding the castle. The castle is lit up from sunset, allowing you to enjoy the fantastic beauty of the castle and cherry blossoms floating in the darkness. It gets crowded during the daytime, so it is recommended to visit in the morning or evening.

Awaji Island is the largest island in the Seto Inland Sea, located in the southern part of Hyogo Prefecture. It is said to be the first island born by the god who created Japan. The island is attractive for its nature and tradition, with attractions such as the whirlpools of the Naruto Strait and the Awaji Ningyo Za, where you can see the traditional culture of Awaji Ningyo Joruri. A recommended dish is shabu-shabu made with sea urchin, a specialty of Awaji Island. This exquisite dish is made with a rich soup based on raw sea urchin and skewers of sashimi of sea urchin and seafood. In addition, overlooking the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, there is Iwaya Onsen, also known as the "hot spring of all diseases." Why not spend a luxurious moment while looking out over the Seto Inland Sea?