Kobe / Hyogo Prefecture
Kobe city is a metropolitan, multicultural place, with a mixture of Western, Chinese, and Japanese influences.
It also has a reputation as one of Japan's more stylish cities.
There are a great many places to visit in Kobe. In the inner-city districts of Sannomiya and Motomachi, you will find many stylish and unique shops. Beautiful flowers blossom in the main streets all year round.
Another location that comes highly recommended is Nankin-machi in Chinatown, which has many traditional shops and stands- ideal for souvenir shopping.
The old settlements retain an atmosphere of `old japan` despite their location alongside some classic, western-style buildings.
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Kobe Port Tower
The tower is symbol of Kobe port, the height is 108m. It is made by pipe structure, which is quite rare tower even in worldwide. This park is remarkable place for sightseeing thanks to this unique tower, Meriken park where you can enjoy shopping.
You can view whole Kobe city as well as Rokko mountains at the observation platform. Moreover, you cannot miss the amazing night view from there. On the first floor of observation platform, there is sky-walk and you can enjoy sky-walking, which is really thrilling! On the 3rd floor, there is the café where the floor goes round 360ºC(20 minutes whole trip). On the 5th floor, you can enjoy seasonal stars by lights.
Approx. 5 minutes on foot from (Kobe Subway Kaigan Line) Minato Motomachi Station
Approx. 15 minutes on foot from (JR Kobe Line) Motomachi Station
Ikuta-jinja Shrine
It's located in the center of Sannomiya, however, there are a lot of natures behind the main building "Ikuta-no-Mori (forest)" and you can enjoy seasons calmly. The shrine is famous for the god of marriage and the pair Omamori (charm) red and white is very popular knowing as you will be linked by fate with someone you are in love.
Approx. 10 minutes on foot from Sannomiya Station or Approx. 5 minutes by taxi from Shin-Kobe Station
- Ikuta-jinja Shrine photos
Kitano Ijinkan-gai (Town of Western style residences)
It will take 10 to 15 minutes on your foot from Sannomiya or Motomachi in the central Kobe city. Keep walking the little hill and then you will reach the "Ijinkan" (former residences of early foreign settlers), Kitano area. It used to be the town where the people who came from oversea and they thought about their countries from the hill viewing the sea. Kazamidori (a weathercock) is the symbol of the town. You can enjoy both culture and taste of Kobe in here.
Approx. 10- 15 minutes on foot from Sannomiya Station
- More information of Kitano Ijinkan-gai
Kobe Chinatown
There is China town in Kobe "Nankin-cho" which has around 100 shops and restaurants.
It is one of the 3 biggest China town in Japan and close to Motomachi station, JR line or Hanshin-motomachi station. The soft-cram from Rokko farm and steamed bun with meat filling from Roshoki is very popular to eat-out.
Approx. 7 minutes on foot from (Seishin-Yamate Line) Kenchomae Station
Shin-Kobe Station → (Seishin-Yamate Line : about 4 minutes / 210yen) → Kenchomae Station
From Osaka to Kobe
By train [Approx. 35 minutes / 410yen]
Osaka Station → (JR Tokaido Main Line (rapid) : about 35 minutes / 410yen) → Kobe Station
By Shinkansen (From Shin-Osaka Station to Shin-Kobe Station) [Approx. 13 minutes / 1,500yen] *If you have JR PAss, this option is much better.
Shin-Osaka Station → (JR Tokaido Shinkansen "Kodama" or "Hikari" or "Sakura" : about 13 minutes / 1,500yen) → Shin-Kobe Station
From Kobe Station to JR Sannomiya Station
By train [Approx. 5 minutes / 120yen]
Kobe Station → (JR Tokaido Main Line : about 4 minutes / 120yen) → JR Sannomiya Station
Himeji City is the second largest city in Hyogo prefecture and well-known thanks to Himeji Castle which is famous for one of the most beautiful castles in Japan. It is registered UNESCO world heritage and definitely worth to visit.
Himeji city Tourism site
Himeji Castle
Himeji castle was registered as intangible cultural heritages on UNESCO in December 1993 along with Horyuji temple. They are the first intangible cultural heritages on UNESCO in Japan and highly evaluated in worldwide.
The white Tenshukaku building and beautiful walls towards to the sky look like flying egret in heaven. Due to this, it is also called Egret castle.
It is the symbol of Himeji city which has many national treasures, important cultural properties, legends. It is also selected "The best 100 Sakura spots in Japan".
[Address] 68 Honmachi, Himeji-cuty, 670-0012 Hyogo
[Access] Approx. 14-minute on foot from [Sanyo Himeji Station]
Approx. 25-minute on foot from JR West [Himeji Station]
[Hours] 9:00am - 4:00pm (Closed 5pm)
[Close] December 29th and 30th
[Admission fee] Adults : 400yen / From 5 to junior high-school student : 100yen
[Website] http://www.himeji-kanko.jp/en/sightseeing/himeji_castle.html
From Kobe Station to Himeji Station
By train [Approx. 5 minutes / 120yen]
Kobe Station → (JR Sanyo Main Line : about 37 minutes / 970yen) → Himeji Station
From Shin-Kobe Station to Himeji Station
By train [Approx. 23 minutes / 2,700yen]
Shin-Kobe Station → (JR Shinkansen "Hikari" : about 23 minutes / 970yen + Express ticket 1,730yen) → Himeji Station
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About Kinozaki-Onsen - Let's explore at Kinozaki hot spring resort wearing Yukata!
Kinozaki hot spring resort is very nostalgic place. Otani river, willows street, the buildings made by wood, people are exploring the resort wearing yukata etc.
This resort has a lot of atmosphere when you walk around with your yukata.
- How to wear Yukata
When you talk about Kinozaki hot spring resort, you cannot miss "Sotoyu-Meguri" which means you can freely visit other hot springs.
Kinozaki hot spring resort is the place where "Sotoyu-meguri" has started.
Since long time ago, the people Kinozaki hot spring resort welcome the guests with their warm hospitality imagining the whole town is one Ryokan (Japanese Inn) like the streets are passage ways, each Ryokan is guest rooms.
This hospitality has not been faded at all.
As soon as you arrive your Ryokan, please get change to Yukata and wear Geta (yukata shoes), then start exploring the resort!
Kinosaki Onsen photos
"Ichi-no-Yu" One of the Stoyu (hot spring)
The information of 7 hot springs (Ekisha-Onsen, Sato-no-Yu, Ichi-no-Yu, Gosho-no-Yu, Mandara-Yu, Jizo-Yu, Ko-no-Yu, Yanagi-Yu)
[Effection] Neuralgia, Stiff mussel, Bruise, Chronic disease, Enteropathy, Recovery from exhaustion, etc
[Hot spring type] Natrium, Calcium- chloride, Hyperthermal springs
[Temperature] 42°C
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From Kobe Station to Kinosaki Onsen by train [Approx. 2 hours 23 minutes / 5,070yen]
Kobe Station → (JR West Ltd. Exp. "Hamakaze" : about 2 hours 23 minutes / 5,070yen) → Kinosaki Onsen
From Kyoto Station to Kinosaki Onsen by train [Approx. 2 hours 24 minutes / 4,640yen]
Kyoto Station → (JR West Ltd. Exp. "Kinosaki" : about 2 hours 24 minutes / 4,640yen) → Kinosaki Onsen
From Osaka Station to Kinosaki Onsen by train [Approx. 2 hours 39 minutes / 5,400yen]
Osaka Station → (JR West Ltd. Exp. "Kounotori" : about 2 hours 39 minutes / 5,400yen) → Kinosaki Onsen
The detail of each Sotoyu (hot springs) in Kinosaki Onsen
About "Ekisha-Onsen, Sato-no-Yu"
Fureai-no-Yu
[Open] From 1pm to 9pm
[Closed] Monday
[Charge] Adult 800JPY, Children 400JPY (From 1 year old to 12 years old)
About "Ichi-no-Yu"
School success and road safety, Good luck hot spring
[Open] From 7am to 11pm
[Closed] Wednesday
[Charge] Adult 600JPY, Children 300JPY (From 1 year old to 12 years old)
*Private bath is available.
About "Gosho-no-Yu"
Disaster prevention, Good match, Beauty
[Open] From 7am to 11pm
[Closed] First and third Thursday
[Charge] Adult 800JPY, Children 400JPY (From 1 year old to 12 years old)
About "Mandara-no-Yu"
Rush of business, Hervest, Make wishes
[Open] From 3pm to 11pm
[Closed] Wednesday
[Charge] Adult 600JPY, Children 300JPY (From 1 year old to 12 years old)
About "Jizo-Yu"
Family safety, Memorial service for stillborn and aborted fetuses), Saving all of humanity
[Open] From 7am to 11pm
[Closed] Friday
[Charge] Adult 600JPY, Children 300JPY (From 1 year old to 12 years old)
*Private bath is available.
About "Ko-no-Yu"
Happy marriage, The secret of perennial youth and long life, Bring happiness
[Open] From 7am to 11pm
[Closed] Tuesday
[Charge] Adult 600JPY, Children 300JPY (From 1 year old to 12 years old)
About "Yanagi-no-Yu"
Goddess of pregnancy, Easy delivery, Have a child
[Open] From 3pm to 11pm
[Closed] Thursday
[Charge] Adult 600JPY, Children 300JPY (From 1 year old to 12 years old)