History / Culture / Tour Spots in Hyogo Area

  • Himeji City Museum of Literature
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    4.0
    34 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Hyougo Pref. Himejishi Yamanoichou 84
    This literature museum located in Yamanoi-cho, Himeji City houses the literary collections of various authors, poets, and collectors. One of these is the late Mr. Toranosuke Kanai who was a professor at Shoin Women's Junior College. The museum has about 30,000 items from his collection in their Toranosuke Kanai Bunko including Edo (1603-1868) and Meiji (1868-1912) period manuscripts, literary documents, periodicals, and more. Other standing exhibits include one dedicated to the philosopher Watsuji Tetsuro who had ties to Himeji and one about the novelist Shiba Ryotaro. They also maintain the Himeji Castle History Monogatari Hall and the Kotoba no Mori Exhibition Room.

    白鷺城後方の橋をわたり左手の道を直進すると安藤忠雄氏設計の文学館前につく。「樋口一葉」展は水の流れをあしらった階段右手の「北館」で、スロープを辿った2階がプロローグ3階が本展会場となっていた。展示は4部構成からなり1・2部が一葉本人に関するもので原稿や書簡・掲載雑誌など多くの資料が展示されていた。また一葉を巡る半井桃水や「萩の舎」の女性たち「文学界」や「文壇」の作家たちの資料は3部に、4部は愛用の...

  • Nishinomiya Shell Museum
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    4.0
    33 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Hyougo Pref. Nishinomiyashi Nishinomiyahama 4-13-4
    "This shell museum was founded in 1999. It's about 20 minutes from Hanshin Nishinomiya on the Hanshin Bus. Built to resemble a yacht, the blue of the interior is reminiscent of the sea. Visitors learn about a variety of shells while having fun through interactive displays encouraging them to ""Look, Touch, and Feel."" They present an incredible variety of shells, including familiar edible clams, sea shells like Japanese little neck clam and abalone, freshwater shells from species living in rivers and lakes, and shells from species that inhabit the land. The kids' corner has easily accessible displays, making this venue fun for everyone."

    西宮市立の「貝」の博物館(水族館?)。この界隈に生息する貝類を中心に展示しています。中庭には、あの堀江健一さんのマーメイド号が展示されています。

  • Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall
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    4.0
    31 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Hyogo Kobe-shi Tarumi-ku Higashi-maikocho 2051
    "The only venue in Japan to honor Sun Yat-sen, the Chinese revolutionary, politician, and thinker. With its octagonal pavilion as its symbol and a backdrop of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, the facility showcases the relationship between Japan, Kobe, and Sun Yat-sen. It's villa, Ijokaku, recalls earlier times. It was built by Gokindo, a Kobe trader in 1915. People generally call it ""Maiko's Rokkakudo"" because it looks hexagonal. Visit to see valuable documents written by Sun Yat-sen as well as books about him. The building was designated as a national Important Tangible Cultural Property in 2001, recognizing its cultural value."

    Is was a good experience and I got lots of info there. For the history and the relationship between Japan and P.R.china. Known more about Mr Sonbun and his life.

  • Tamba Dinosaurs Fossil Studio Chitan Museum
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    4.0
    17 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Hyougo Pref. Tambashi Sannanchoutanigawa 1110
    It is part of the Sannan Library and Culture Center located in the countryside off of Prefectural Route 139 coming from JR Kugemura Station. They exhibit bones and other fossils of dinosaurs and more excavated from the Sasayama group in Tamba City. This includes a complete skeleton of a Tambatitanis, the largest herbivore to have inhabited Japan, and you can only see it here. Their exhibit that recreates an excavation site displays the tools that are actually used by paleontologists. Other workshops include making dinosaur figures and cleaning real fossils. It's a good place to get kids interested in dinosaurs.

    小さな建物という事もあり、入場制限中 激込みでした。事前に聞いておけばよかった テレビに出るとみんな一斉に行っちゃうからしんどいですね

  • Kaijinja Shrine
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    3.5
    22 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Hyogo Kobe-shi Tarumi-ku Miyamotocho 5-1
    This shrine is located in front of Tarumi Station in the Miyamoto-cho area of Tarumi-ku, Kobe City. The Three Watatsumi Gods, Sokotsuwatatsumi, Nakatsuwatatsumi and Uwatsuwatatsumi are revered as sacred gods of voyage safety, fishery prosperity and traffic safety, and the Maritime Safety Festival is held every year on October 12.

    Watatsumi Shrine (I mistakenly read Umi Shrine) is a historical and prestigious shrine just beside JR/Sanyo Tarumi station. It is said that Jingu Kogou founded it about 1800 years ago. On the left...

  • Akashi City Museum of Culture
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    4.0
    32 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Hyougo Pref. Akashishi Uenomaru 2-13-1
    "This museum is in 2 Chome, Uenomaru, Akashi City. Their permanent exhibit ""Human Life and the Natural Environment"" traces the development of Akashi natural history and human culture from 2 million years ago to the modern age. It is divided into eight themes. There are displays of fossils and stoneware excavated from the surrounding area, exhibits about the development of Akashi pottery, agriculture, and fishing, as well as the history of Akashi castle and its castle town. It also has a special exhibition hall and a hands-on learning studio. Its seafood and French restaurant Marseilles has a view of the Seto Inland Sea and Awaji Island."

    明石駅から徒歩10分弱。明石公園に隣接。 入館料は200円。常設展は明石原人、アカシゾウから始まり、明石焼、農業・漁業、明石城など明石の歴史や文化に関する展示・解説が行われている。2階には明石市平和資料室があり、戦争体験者の話を映像で見ることができる。市立博物館としてはかなり充実した展示内容。明石城跡と合わせて見学するといいでしょう。

  • Hakutsuru Fine Art Museum
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    4.5
    26 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Hyogo Kobe-shi Higashinada-ku Sumiyoshi Yamate 6-1-1
    This art museum is located in the 6 Chome Sumiyoshi-yamate, Higashinada-ku, Kobe City. It opened in 1934 based on the ancient art collection of the seventh-generation owner of Hakutsuru Breweries, Jihei Kano. The museum houses over 1,400 antiques including National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties, such as bronzeware, ceramics, books and paintings, and is open only during the spring and autumn exhibitions. In addition, there is also a new building that holds a Middle Eastern carpet collection.

    The museum is famous for its world-class collection of ancient Chinese bronze work, but it also holds valuable collection of other art works, such as porcelain, lacquer ware, and painting...

  • Hongwanji Kobe Betsuin (Modern-dera Temple)
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    3.5
    20 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Hyogo Kobe-shi Chuo-ku Shimoyamatedori 8-1-1
    "This Jodo Shinshu Honganji Buddhist temple, located a one-minute walk from Kobe Rapid Transit Railway Hanakuma Station, is a branch temple directly under the Nishihonganji Temple in Kyoto City. The temple's novel, Indian Buddhist design is inherited from the previous temple building which was built in 1930; due to its design, locals call it the ""Modern Temple."" The current temple building was completed after the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake; the large structure is outfitted with a variety of facilities and features, including a multipurpose hall. At the request of the Kobe City government, the building is also lit up at night as an initiative to lead reconstruction and recovery efforts in the area."

    浄土真宗西本願寺本派のお寺ですが、お寺っぽくないモダンな建物なので、地元ではモダン寺と呼ばれています。 JR神戸から東行きの電車に乗ると車窓からチラッと見えますが、近くまで行くととても大きく立派な建物です。自由に参拝できます。

  • Tanizaki Junichiro Memorial Museum of Literature, Ashiya
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    4.0
    28 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Hyougo Pref. Ashiyashi Isechou 12-15
    "A one-minute walk from the Midoricho bus stop. The memorial museum is sandwiched between the Ashiya City Museum of Art and History and the Ashiya City Library. The museum displays a variety of materials and items connected to Junichiro Tanizaki, a literary master who had a stunning career spanning Japan's Meiji, Taisho, and Showa periods. Items on exhibit include handwritten manuscripts, personal articles, and even kimono and photos of his wife Matsuko, who served as the model for a character in ""Sasameyuki"" The museums shop sells collections of the author's works and letter sets modeled after his favorite writing paper. Numerous events and exhibitions are held in the museum's lobby."

    I visited the recently renovated Tanizaki Junichiro Memorial Museum, which was open to the public free of charge. I had never read any of Junichiro Tanizakis novels, but the exhibit was an...

  • Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Archeology
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    4.0
    14 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Hyougo Pref. Kakogunharimachou Onaka 1-1-1
    A museum located in Onaka Iseki Park (Harima Oponaka no mura), a park built around a historic ruin. The museum has four themed exhibition rooms and, with an advance reservation, visitors can enjoy a guided tour provided by a curator or volunteer. At scheduled times each day, visitors can try making tools and crafts used by ancient people in Japan such as magatama beads, stone knives, and woven cords in the hands-on learning room. The museum also holds fire making activities as well as coloring and pottery picture matching activities. One room recreates what an archeological dig looks like and visitors can even potentially try taking part in archeological work. The museum's special exhibitions are held twice a year in spring and fall.

    Great for all ages. A lot of detailed information about prehistoric Japan. Kids’s craft activities, some fill up fast. Nice, extensive park with replica structures. Only downside is there is almost...

  • Hilltop House
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    3.5
    29 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Hyogo Kobe-shi Chuo-ku Kitanocho 2-3-18
    This is a western-style building relocated in Chuo Ward, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture, originally built in the old foreign settlement as an apartment catering to foreigners in 1908. It is a unique building where two Western-style buildings are symmetrically connected, and because of this became known as the “Western row house”. The interior is unified with French furnishings and artworks, and on display are Art Nouveau works by Emile Galle, the Dome brothers as well as a painting by Chagall. A must see is an early era trunk of the popular “Louis Vuitton” brand.

    周遊バスで北野異人館バス停で下車。洋館長屋のチケット売り場で三館セットチケット購入。まず、こちらの洋館長屋に。シェードにトンボが見えるガレ風のランプが異彩を放っている。中世の欧風家具があちこちの部屋に。二階では、原色の部屋がいくつかある。白いバスタブに赤いバラがぶら下がっている。奇妙でもあり、一種の不気味さも感じる。モノクロの部屋も興味深い。時間の感覚がなくなりそうだ。

  • Hokudan Earthquake Memorial Park Nojima Fault Preservation Museum
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    4.5
    23 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Hyogo Awaji-shi Ogura 177
    Located in the Hokudan Earthquake Memorial Park, this facility provides access to the Nojima Fault that caused the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake on January 17, 1995. A portion of the fault appeared at the surface as a result of the quake, and it has been designated a Natural Monument. Visitors gain an understanding of the effects of the disaster, including the shifted topography, through photographs, panel displays, and guided tours. There are realistic reproductions of the area after the earthquake, and on every Tuesday narrators tell the story of what happened at that time. An earthquake experience section lets visitors feel the same level of shaking that occurred during the disaster.

    阪神淡路大震災が発生した当時の断層、建築物等が当時のままの状態で保存されています。 地震が多い国に生まれた者として、危機意識はなるべく持っておきたいと感じさせてくれます。

  • Chizenji Temple
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    4.0
    10 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Hyougo Pref. Awajishi Kusaka 436
    One of the stops on the Awajishima Seven Lucky Gods pilgrimage, this historic temple is 20 minutes by car from the Kobe-Awaji-Naruto Highway's Tsu Interchange. Awaji Island's Seven Lucky Gods pilgrimage visits seven temples around the island, including Chizenji Temple. It is said that everyone who completes it will be blessed with good luck and happiness. The temple enshrines Benzaiten, one of the lucky gods. Benefits of worshipping there are thought to include academic success, artistic flourishing, prosperity, and good luck in love and finances. Originally founded as a Buddhist training center, the main hall houses Dainichi-Nyorai, the principal object of worship. The temple also safeguards a priceless copy of Great Perfection of Wisdom Sutra dating from 1351.

    行き届いた境内。大日如来が御本尊。300円支払って弁財天神様に般若心経を唱えて講和を聴きました。弁天さんは本来水の神様だそうです。七福神巡り3神さん目。7本の腕を持つ弁天さんに、黄金と銀色の宝珠に触れることができました。

  • Mondo Yakujin Tokoji Temple
    Travel / Tourism
    Hyougo Pref. Nishinomiyashi Mondonishimachi 2-26
    This Buddhist temple is about 10 minutes by taxi from Hankyu Nishinomiya Kitaguchi Station. One of Japan's three Yakujin temples, it enshrines Yakujin Myoo, who is said to ward off all misfortune. Features besides the front gate which was completely destroyed by the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake and then rebuilt include an inner tower gate and the Yakujindo sub-shrine. Besides Yakujin Myoo, the temple also honors Fudo Myoo, Aizen Myoo, Daikokuten, the principal object of worship Yakushi Ruriko Nyorai, and Kukai, later known as Kobo Daishi, the founder of Shingon sect of Buddhism. The spacious precincts feature an area with sand from each of the stops on Shikoku's 88 Temple Pilgrimage along with representations of their principle objects of worship, giving you a chance to replicate the pilgrimage with ease.
  • Yamate 8Ban Kan
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    4.0
    26 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Hyogo Pref. Koubeshi Chuou-ku Kitanochou 2-20-7
    This is a Western-style residence in Chuo Ward, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture, built as the home of Mr. Sansen of the Taisho period. It is a stylish building of three Tudor-style spires, with a beautiful stained glass door. Inside is a great number of Eastern and Western artworks including sculptures, paintings by famous artists such as Rodin and Rembrandt, and the particularly wonderful wooden carvings of the Makonde people. The famous Saturn Chair makes the sitter’s dreams come true and has been featured on television.

    北野地区にある洋館の一つだが、内部は美術館のようになっている。東洋の仏像がいっぱいあったが、洋館とはちょっとミスマッチ。

  • Sasayama Historical Art Museum
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    4.0
    26 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Hyogo Prefecture Tamba Kashiyama-Cho 53
    This art museum is located in Tamba-Sasayama City, Hyogo Prefecture. In order to preserve Japan's oldest wooden court as an important structure, the exterior and old court were left as it, and the rest was remodeled as an art museum. In addition to works of art such as armor related to the old castle town of Tamba-Sasayama, lacquer art and paintings, there are also a number of famous items that were made from Sasayama Domain kilns at the end of the Edo period, and buried cultural properties that tell the culture of the Sasayama region since ancient times are on display. You can enjoy various artworks as well as precious Meiji period (1868-1912) architecture.

    昔の篠山地方裁判所の建物を歴史美術館として活用されています。館長さんはとても話し好きで親切に対応してくれます。写真撮影ができるのはロビーと旧法廷のみです。展示資料の種類は意外と多く、展示の資料説明も詳しくわかりやすくなっています。縄文弥生時代から近現代までの陶器や刀、絵画などが所狭しと展示されています。見ごたえある作品ばかりで時間が過ぎるのを忘れてしまいそうです。旧法廷はコンパクトな造りで、当時の...

  • Tairyu-ji Temple
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    4.0
    14 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Hyougo Pref. Koubeshi Chuou-ku Koubekoujikata Mountain 1-3 again
    "A Toji Shingon Buddhist temple located 20 minutes from the Kyobashi Interchange on the Hanshin Expressway No. 3 Kobe Route. The temple is easily identified by its crimson lacquered main gate, which stands out amidst the forest of Mt. Futatabisan. ""Futatabi"" means ""twice,"" and according to legend the name of this mountain is derived from the great monk Kobo Daishi praying here twice just prior to traveling to Tang dynasty China as an envoy. The temple is said to protect worshippers from palsy (strokes and other cerebrovascular diseases). The temple's principal object of worship, a statue of Cintamanicakra, is a hidden Buddha (a statue not normally made viewable to the general public); records state this wooden figure was created in the Nara period and, as the oldest Buddhist image in Hyogo Prefecture, it has also been designated a National Important Cultural Property."

    六甲全山縦走路の途中にあるお寺です。再度山の麓にあります。バスやタクシーでもアクセスできます。隣にある鍋蓋山からの神戸市街方面の景色はとても綺麗です。

  • Rokko Yahata Shrine
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    4.0
    25 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Hyogo Kobe-shi Nada-ku Yahatacho 3-6-5
    "A deity of warding off evil located south to Hankyu Rokko Station. Yahata-no-Ookami, Amaterasu-Oomikami, and Kasuga-no-Ookami are enshrined in the precincts of the shrine, which is nicknamed ""Hachiman-san"". There are various theories as to the origin of the shrine, and it is said to have been founded either during the Manju period (1024-1028) or around 1180, when the capital was moved to Fukuhara by Taira no Kiyomori. The Yaku-yoke (warding off evil) Festival, held annually on January 18-19, attracts a lot of people who come to the precincts and the approach to the shrine to buy ""Hamaya"" (arrow-shaped amulet) to ward off evil."

    暗くなってしまった為、やや心配したのですが境内は開放されており、拝殿には電気も灯っており、参拝が可能でした。因みに阪急六甲駅から直ぐ近くに境内が広がっており、境内と抜けて行き来する地元の方も目立っていました。

  • Ako City Museum of History
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    3.5
    29 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Hyogo Ako-shi Kamikariya 916-1
    "This history museum is known by the nickname ""Shio to Gishi no Yakata,"" a reference to the city's salt production and its famous 47 ronin. The museum collects and exhibits materials related to local history with an objective of contributing to the advancement of education and the development of culture. Each of the permanent exhibits covers a different theme. ""The Salt of Ako"" has a focus on salt-making equipment. ""Ako Castle and Its Castle Town"" introduces it through models and paintings. ""The Loyal Retainers of Ako"" covers the 47 ronin in terms of both historical fact as well as their depiction in culture. ""The Old Ako Waterworks"" explains it through excavated artifacts, videos, and other exhibits. The museum is a hub for raising public awareness about the Ako's 47 ronin and a place where visitors can take a systematic look at the history of salt-making."

    赤穂城跡を訪れたときに立ち寄りました。場所柄、赤穂浪士関連の展示はもちろんありましたが、製塩関係や上水などについての展示もあり、予想より興味深く見学できました。JAFの割引対象でした。建物が米蔵のようになっていました。中は撮影禁止でした。

  • Inagawa Observatory
    rating-image
    4.5
    13 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Hyougo Pref. Kawabeguninagawachou Kashihara Onogadake 1-1
    This astronomical observatory is on the summit of Mt. Oya, the highest peak in the Hanshin region. It's second floor has a 50-centimeter reflecting telescope and they hold star-gazing sessions, as well as sunspot observation during the day. The first floor features a planetarium with explanations of seasonal stars as well as programs where they project interstellar images taken by the telescope. Admission is reasonably priced, and children of junior high age and younger get in free. You can get there by car, and there are places nearby to have a barbecue or do some birdwatching. Parents and children both love it.

    標高753mの表示がありけっこう高いところに来たとは思っていました。しかしながら、大阪平野から真北に数十キロメートル進んでいましたので、まさかここから海が見えるとは思いませんでした。 上手くいけば、ハワイが見えるかもしれないと思ってしまいました。

Hyogo Areas

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Hyogo prefecture stretches from the north coast to the south coast on the western end of the popular Kansai region, encompassing verdant mountains, urban beaches, and fantastic historical sights. The prefecture’s main attractions lie along the south coast at Kobe, the prefectural capital, a pretty harbor city best known for its production of the renowned Kobe beef, and Himeji, the home of Himeji Castle, one of the country’s most beautifully preserved feudal castles, perched magically atop a hill.

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