News and events from Hyogo Prefecture

  • Top 5 Kobe Winter Illuminations 2019/20

    Top 5 Kobe Winter Illuminations 2019/20

    As the weather gets colder in Japan the lights come on in cities and towns across the country. City streets, parks, bridges and more all get an LED treatment with gorgeous illumination displays. Here are our top 5 Kobe winter illuminations for 2019/20 season. #1 – Kobe Luminarie 2019 The highlight of any December in…

  • 2 new Hello Kitty rooms at Amagasaki hotel

    2 new Hello Kitty rooms at Amagasaki hotel

    For travelers who need their fix of Hello Kitty while in Japan, the Hotel Vischio Amagasaki by GRANVIA now offers 2 Hello Kitty themed rooms. There are just two rooms: the “Vischio Forest Adult Kawaii Room” and the “Let’s Explore Kansai With Kitty-chan Super-Cute Room.” The “forest” room is 20 square meters and designed for…

  • B-1 Grand Prix in Akashi; A Food Lovers Dream

    B-1 Grand Prix in Akashi; A Food Lovers Dream

    The B-1 Grand Prix in Akashi is a gourmet food festival with 55 stalls selling local specialties from all over Japan.  This year Akashi is celebrating its 100 year anniversary since establishment of the city and Akashi Castle is celebrating its 400th year. This event is help revitalisation local areas, bring communities together, showcase regional…

  • Hyogo in Autumn; A Drive Through the Countryside

    Hyogo in Autumn; A Drive Through the Countryside

    Sunday November 10th 2019.  On the hunt for some autumn colours and maple leaves we headed off on a family drive from Akashi to Tamba in central Hyogo Prefecture. In this post: Entsuji Temple, Tamba Kosanji Temple, Tamba Toryunada Rock Formations, Kato Hyogo Prefectural Harima Central Park, Kato The drive takes us on National Route…

  • Kansai Culture Day 2019

    Kansai Culture Day 2019

    Kansai Culture Day is a month long event where museums, art galleries and culture facilities around the Kansai region, including Hyogo prefecture offer free entry. There are over 630 places offering free admission in the Kansai region including about 150 listed for Hyogo Prefecture. The main weekend for this event is on November 16th &…

  • Nunobiki Falls; beautiful nature just a short hike away.

    Nunobiki Falls; beautiful nature just a short hike away.

    Nunobiki Falls; A beautiful hiking track and a mini oasis in Kobe. We set off to visit Nunobiki Falls (布引の滝) and Nunobiki Gohonmatsu Dam (布引五本松ダム). The climb up to the falls is short, relatively easy and only takes around 15 minutes. Here is our guide to get you there. We begin our journey at Shin-Kobe…

  • Halloween in Kobe 2020

    Halloween in Kobe 2020

    Like most places around the world, all major Halloween events have been cancelled this year due to COVID-19. However there are a handful of smaller Halloween events happening in Kobe over the next couple of weeks. So here is our brief guide to Halloween in Kobe for 2020. If you know fo any other Halloween…