Last reviewed: · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.
Overview of Hyōgo Prefecture (兵庫県)
Hyōgo Prefecture (兵庫県) is located in the Kansai region of Japan, with its prefectural capital at Kobe. Key sights and travel highlights across the prefecture include UNESCO World Heritage Himeji Castle, Kobe harbor & Mount Rokko, Arima Onsen (gold & silver waters), willow-lined Kinosaki Onsen, Takeda 'Castle in the Sky' (Asago), and Awaji Island.
How to get to Hyōgo Prefecture
22m from Osaka to Kobe Sannomiya or 60m to Himeji on the JR Special Rapid; 30m from Shin-Osaka to Himeji on the Sanyo Shinkansen. Use our Shinkansen Fare & Route Calculator and JR Pass Value Helper to compare rail tickets and regional passes.
Signature local food in Hyōgo
When visiting cities across Hyōgo, look out for these regional specialties at station restaurants, markets, and local izakaya:
- Kobe beef & Tajima wagyu
- Akashi-yaki (egg-rich octopus dumplings dipped in dashi)
- Matsuba snow crab (in Kinosaki Onsen)
- Kobe patisserie sweets & Nada sake
- Izushi皿そば (small-plate soba)
Best time to visit Hyōgo
Late March–early April for Himeji Castle's 1,000 cherry trees; November–March for crab and willow-lined canal bath-hopping in Kinosaki Onsen.
All 30 cities & municipalities in Hyōgo Prefecture
Click any city below for its individual travel guide, demographics, rail access, food specialties, and nearby stops:
| City (Kanji) | Type / Status | Population | Area | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kobe 神戸市 | Designated major city | 1,524,601 | 552.23 km² | City guide → · Flagship guide |
| Himeji 姫路市 | Core city | 536,170 | 534.27 km² | City guide → · Flagship guide |
| Amagasaki 尼崎市 | Core city | 461,202 | 49.77 km² | City guide → |
| Akashi 明石市 | Core city | 292,162 | 49.24 km² | City guide → |
| Nishinomiya 西宮市 | Core city | 477,056 | 99.96 km² | City guide → · Flagship guide |
| Ashiya 芦屋市 | City | 92,828 | 18.47 km² | City guide → · Flagship guide |
| Itami 伊丹市 | City | 194,488 | 24.97 km² | City guide → |
| Aioi 相生市 | City | 31,973 | 90.45 km² | City guide → |
| Toyooka 豊岡市 | City | 87,555 | 697.66 km² | City guide → |
| Kakogawa 加古川市 | Special city | 267,631 | 138.51 km² | City guide → |
| Akō 赤穂市 | City | 51,277 | 126.88 km² | City guide → |
| Takarazuka 宝塚市 | Special city | 222,071 | 101.80 km² | City guide → |
| Miki 三木市 | City | 83,244 | 176.58 km² | City guide → |
| Takasago 高砂市 | City | 94,198 | 34.40 km² | City guide → |
| Kawanishi 川西市 | City | 157,461 | 53.44 km² | City guide → |
| Ono 小野市 | City | 49,664 | 92.92 km² | City guide → |
| Sanda 三田市 | City | 113,600 | 210.22 km² | City guide → |
| Kasai 加西市 | City | 48,435 | 150.95 km² | City guide → |
| Tamba-Sasayama 丹波篠山市 | City | 44,345 | 377.61 km² | City guide → |
| Yabu 養父市 | City | 27,428 | 422.78 km² | City guide → |
| Tamba 丹波市 | City | 69,233 | 493.28 km² | City guide → |
| Minamiawaji 南あわじ市 | City | 51,069 | 229.18 km² | City guide → |
| Asago 朝来市 | City | 34,084 | 402.98 km² | City guide → |
| Awaji 淡路市 | City | 47,849 | 184.21 km² | City guide → |
| Shisō 宍粟市 | City | 42,302 | 658.60 km² | City guide → |
| Nishiwaki 西脇市 | City | 43,126 | 132.47 km² | City guide → |
| Tatsuno たつの市 | City | 80,988 | 210.93 km² | City guide → |
| Sumoto 洲本市 | City | 48,631 | 182.47 km² | City guide → |
| Katō 加東市 | City | 39,935 | 157.49 km² | City guide → |
| Kinosaki Onsen 城崎温泉 | Historic onsen town | 3,650 | 67.00 km² | City guide → |