Hyōgo Prefecture (兵庫県) is an administrative division in the main island of Japan - Honshu, and within the central Kansai region. Hyōgo Prefecture has two shorelines - to the north is the Sea of Japan, also known as the East Sea, and to the south is the Seto Inland Sea, usually shortened to Inland Sea. On the south coast of the prefecture is the capital city – Kobe, which along with the cities of Osaka and Kyoto, makes the second-most populated metropolitan area in Japan - Keihanshin (京阪神).
The waterfront of Kobe is a popular area in the city, such as in Meriken Park where you will find Kobe Port Tower, and Kobe Maritime Museum.
From Kobe Port, start your boat tour along the huge Osaka Bay, where lies Awaji Island, and other smaller islands including artificial ones.
In the city of Himeji City, stands the most visited castle in Japan, Himeji Castle - the best example of the archetypal Japanese castle architecture. There are excellent hot springs resorts in Hyōgo, the best known are Arima and Kinosaki.
Population: over 5.5 million inhabitants
Capital: Kobe
Other major cities: Ako, Yabu, Asago, Kasai, Kakogawa, Miki, Sasayama, Tampa, Toyooka
Main attractions: Nature: Arima Onsen (hot springs), Mount Maya, Nunobiki Falls, Kobe Animal Kingdom, Kobe Ōji Zoo;
Landmarks: Himeji Castle (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Akashi Kaikyō Bridge, Nankin-machi (Chinese cultural district), Takeda Castle (castle ruins and scenic views), Hyōgo Prefectural Museum of Art, Harborland shopping district, Kobe Port Tower;
Nearest Airports: Kobe Airport (UKB - 神戸空港), Osaka International Airport (ITM - 大阪国際空港)
