Hyogo Prefecture (兵庫県)

Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge, Kobe


Hyogo Prefecture (兵庫県) is a prefecture within the Kansai region of central Japan. It covers 8.393 sq km and is the 12th biggest prefecture in the country. Hyogo Prefecture has a population of 5.6 million people (2011 estimate), putting it in 8th position out of the 47 prefectures of Japan. The prefectural capital is the city of Kobe.

Himeji Castle, Hyogo Prefecture


Hyogo Prefecture was formed by merging together the former provinces of Harima, Tajima, Awaji and parts of Tamba and Settsu. The city of Kobe once served as an interim capital of Japan during the Heian Period, when Emperor Antoku moved the Imperial Court there in 1180. At that time, it was known as Fukuhara, and it served as the capital for a mere five months.

Food stalls set up during the Hana Matsuri festival


Hyogo Prefecture covers both sides of the island of Honshu, with the Sea of Japan to the north and the Inland Sea to the south. It borders Kyoto Prefecture to the northeast, Osaka Prefecture to the east, Okayama Prefecture to the southwest and Tottori Prefecture to the northwest. Located in the Inland Sea between mainland Hyogo Prefecture and the island of Shikoku is Awaji Island, also part of Hyogo Prefecture. Most of the population of Hyogo Prefecture is concentrated on the south, within the Osaka-Kyoto-Kobe metropolitan area.

Takeno Beach, Sanin Kaigan National Park

Going to Hyogo Prefecture

By Plane
You can land at the Kobe Airport (UKB), or for better connections, choose the Kansai International Airport (KIX). Even the Osaka Itami Airport (ITM) is an option, as it is the busiest domestic airport in the Kansai region.

By Train
The Nozomi Shinkansen bullet train gets you from Tokyo Station to Shin-Kobe Station in 2 hours 50 minutes and costs ¥14,670. The Hikari Shinkansen bullet train takes 3 hours and 20 minutes for ¥14,270 (no charge if you hold a Japan Rail Pass).

Onaturo Bridge connecting Kobe with Naruto in Tokushima Prefecture

Main Cities of Hyogo Prefecture

Tourist Attractions of Hyogo Prefecture

National Parks of Hyogo Prefecture

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