Art: Histric Street Art Festival in Tamba Sasayama

Hi everyone! We start featuring art from this issue. Today, I’d like to introduce Historic Street Art Festival, also called Machinami Art Festival, held in Tamba Sasayama. This seven-day showcase transforms old houses into art galleries and takes place from 15  to 17 Sept. and 20 to 23 Sept. this year. 25 house galleries display potteries, paintings, sculptures and pictures works of total 32 artists. It is a stylish festival!

Masaaki Mizukami/Moldings

Hyogo’s Best Viewpoints: Kinosaki Hot Springs and the Observation Deck.

In this issue, we’ll be starting a new series about Hyogo’s best views. The first edition features Kinosaki Onsen Ropeway and observation deck/observatory. Kinosaki Onsen Ropeway (676m) opened in 1963. It runs between Kinosaki Hot Springs resort and the summit of Mt. Daishi.



This cable car will afford you sweeping vistas of Kinosaki town and the Sea of Japan. At the middle station, there is a temple called Onsen-ji and visitors who continue to the observatory at the mountaintop will be able to enjoy a great view of Kinosaki in any season.

Kanzaki Farm Park Yodel Forest

 

Hello, everyone! In this final issue of our amusement park series, I’d like to introduce a beautiful amusement park: Kanzaki Farm Park Yodel Forest. Located in the middle of Hyogo prefecture, the park is surrounded by natural forest, water and fresh air, just like a natural park on high plateau.

Alpacas, sheep, goats, horses, dogs and many more cute animals are waiting to meet you. Visitors will also be entertained by bird shows and dog shows (no dog shows during summer time for safety reasons). Visitors can also take the alpacas for a walk and get up close with the kangaroos. These opportunities do not come along very often!

Awaji Farm Park England Hill

Hello again!
In this 4^th edition of our series introducing amusement parks, I’d like to introduce Awaji Farm Park England Hill. It has animals such as koalas and wallabies as well as an English garden and souvenir shops with local sweets. Visitors also have the opportunity to harvest vegetables and fruits.

To get there, simply take an express coach from Sannomiya bus terminal to Awaji Farm Park. It is a one and a half hour journey that takes you over the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge. The park is located right across from the Awaji Farm Park bus stop.

Let's enjoy Rokko mountain!

Hello everyone! Summer is upon us! Today, I’d like to introduce the natural theme park that is the Mt. Rokko area.



Rokko cable car has a panoramic view of Kobe city

Mt. Rokko is situated 30 minutes from Sannnomiya in Kobe, Hyogo’s capital city. Getting there using public transport could not be simpler.

On top of the mountain, there is a multitude of amusements such as Rokko-san Field Athletics, Rokko International Musical Box Museum, Rokko Alpine Botanical Garden and Japan’s first golf course. These facilities are well connected to each other (just a few minutes by car or bus/ 5 minutes on foot), so visitors can enjoy many attractions at a time.

Kinosaki Marine World

This time I’d like to introduce Kinosaki Marine World in Toyooka city. It is situated on the shore of the Sea of Japan and just a 10-minute drive from Kinosaki Hot spring resort. It is a popular destination for family days out for all ages and is a part of the San’in Kaigan Geopark which is currently in the limelight. Kinosaki Marine Park is not just an aquarium. It aims at being way more than that with its various interactive exhibits and visitors can easily spend the whole day in the park. Let’s explore this marine world!

Himeji Central Park

Remember the zoos and theme parks that you went to with your family when you were young? You can relive these memories at Himeji Central Park! This is a family resort which has both safari and a theme park that people of all ages can relish. A number of events are planned throughout the year and you’ll have a different experience every time you visit. Visitors can take enjoy a water park and fireworks in summer and ice skating in winter.