The area of Osaka and Hyogo in the Kansai region has been a center of Japanese culture and history or over a thousand years. A number of cultural traditions have been created here, born from the harmony between people’s lives and the bounty of nature.
The area is home to a number of World Heritage sites, temples and shrines, and historical ruins, while featuring unique traditional arts and cuisine. The area has a culture of healing hot springs, loves its festivals, and opens to the world historical and cultural assets of great value. Last but not least, it is an incubator of technology and popular culture.Adjacent to this area is Okayama, an area blessed with a warm climate and abundance of nature. Because of its many days of sunshine throughout the year, Okayama has come to be known as "the land of sunshine."
Whether it is history, culture, or nature that you appreciate most about Japan, you will be able to experience it all in abundance here.
With excellent transportation access, this part of Japan is convenient to reach and a must visit!
Osaka has historically been called "the kitchen of Japan" and is still known today for its vibrant food culture. Osaka has many restaurants, eateries, and drinking establishments, with a great variety of delicious foods to choose from.
For shopping, Osaka has several distinct areas: Kita (City North), which is sophisticated and trendy; Minami (City South), which has designer brand shops along the lively Midosuji Avenue; the Horie district, with many unique shops; and America-mura, a cutting-edge neighborhood for youth fashion.
One of Japan's largest shopping complexes, EXPOCITY, opened in the autumn of 2015 in the Bampaku area where Expo '70 was held.It is home to Japan's largest Ferris wheel as well as other entertainment facilities, including an aquarium-style museum that lets visitors enjoy the fascination of living things and nature as one might appreciate art. Many services are available to visitors from abroad, including a prayer room and Halal food options.
Downtown Osaka is conveniently located just 40 to 60 minutes from Kansai International Airport.
Hyogo Prefecture is made up of five general areas: Kobe/Hanshin, Harima, Tajima, Tamba, and Awaji. Each area offers unique scenic wonders and special experiences. This brochure focuses on the Kobe/Hanshin and Harima areas.
Kobe/Hanshin
Notable sights include: the old Western-style houses of Kobe Kitano Ijinkan neighborhood; Meriken Park’s waterfront scenery; the rich, sprawling nature of Mt. Rokko; the ever-popular Arima Onsen, the oldest hot spring town in Japan; and the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge that connects Kobe and Awaji Island. Chances abound to experience culture, history, and nature in this area.
Harima
The western part of Harima includes: Himeji Castle, a national treasure and UNESCO World Heritage Site; the castle town of Ako, famed for the samurai story of the 47 Ronin; the castle town of Tatsuno, known as the "Little Kyoto of Harima"; and other historical spots that offer a stroll back in time.
Visitors to this area can experience castle towns that make history and culture from olden times come alive in the present day.
Okayama has fostered a unique culture over the centuries and features attractions in every season. The prefecture is home to attractions such as Korakuen, one of the three great gardens of Japan, the white-walled buildings of the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Area, the Seto Inland Sea, Mt. Hiruzen, and the three hot springs of Mimasaka.
Of any prefecture in Japan, Okayama has the most days with less than one millimeter of rain, for which it is known as "the land of sunshine." This sun-kissed climate is ideal for growing tasty fruits, and the area's fresh seafood from the Inland Sea is also renowned. Okayama serves as a gateway to Shikoku to its south and a central point along the route from Kansai to Kyushu. This convenient location provides excellent transportation access and is about one hour from Osaka.
