South Awaji Tour

Recently, I had the opportunity to go to South Awaji with Hyogo volunteer guides on a training tour. About 60 people came on this overnight tour, and it was a huge success.

On the first day, we climbed Mt. Mikuma and visited Onokoro Shrine, but the highlight of the day was going to Miyako-bijin sake brewery to learn about and taste their sake, as well as to see the Umibotaru for the first time.

                                      Mikuma Mountain tour with the volunteer guide members

Learning the History of Sake in Nishinomiya

Hello everyone! The other day I visited the city of Nishinomiya, which is located in the southeastern part of Hyogo prefecture, and it is conveniently located about 15 minutes by train from Kobe and Osaka.

Nishinomiya is famous for its’ sake breweries, and Imazu Brewery and Nishinomiya Brewery, are two of the five famous breweries in Japan.

                                                                 Nishinomiya Shrine

The Oldest Hot Springs in Japan: Arima Hot Springs

Arima Hot Springs in Kobe is the oldest hot springs in Japan. During the Edo period, it was given the title "Nishiozeki," the highest rank given to the best hot springs in Japan.

                                         One of the main hot springs in Arima: Tenjin hot spring

Fall in Tamba—The Season of Art and Delicacies

In Tamba’s mountainous region, chestnuts, Matsutake mushrooms, and black beans are some of the popular seasonal delicacies.

There’s an old saying, “Ten-takaku-uma-koeru-aki” which means, fall is a season when the sky is clear and the horses grow large. So food has always been a very big part of fall in Japan.

Today, we’re going to introduce the northern part of Hyogo. Located right beside Kyoto prefecture, The Tamba region offers a variety of events to celebrate this wonderful season.

Hyogo and The Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake

The view of Kobe Port

City of Kobe is the busiest city in Hyogo prefecture. It only takes about 20 minutes on the Special Rapid train from Osaka, and it’s got everything you need, from shopping and dinning to relaxing. Known as one of the most stylish cities in Japan, if you’re into art and fashion, this is the right place for you. Kobe is also ranked as one of Japan's best cities to live in.

Rare Plants from Around the World! –The Plants Museum of Miracle Planet- (Kiseki-no-hoshi-no-shokubutsukan)

Have you ever heard of “The Plants Museum of Miracle Planet” at Awaji Yumebutai in Awaji city? It was designed by the world famous architect, Tadao Ando, A Pritzker Architecture Prize recipient. It opened in 2000 as the largest green house in Japan. Ando actually designed most of the buildings in Awaji Yumebutai. It’s a unique botanical garden where you can enjoy both natural and artistic beauty.

                                             Inside the The Plants Museum of Miracle Planet

Evening Summer Events in Japan

In Japan, schools go on holiday in July. That’s when exciting summer events are held throughout Japan.
One of them is the ever popular firework festival.

These festivals were originally held as a kind of a memorial service for the deceased. But now it has become the major summer time event in Japan.

There are 2 types of fireworks used in the festival. One of them is called uchiage-hanabi, and it means lauching fireworks. Another one is called shikake-hanabi, which means trick firework. So this type of firework forms pictures, messages, or has unique effects. Fireworks in Japan are made by special craftsmen so their technique and amazing work are highly acknowledged throughout the world. Please come and see these beautiful and exciting artworks lighting up the summer night sky.

Itami Firework Festival