
Sponsored content by Hyogo Prefecture
A journey through Hyogo's cultural origins and history
From the land of beginnings to the future—exploring Hyogo’s origins on the road to Expo 2025
Hyogo Prefecture, nestled between mountains and sea, boasts cities with unique identities, from the cosmopolitan port city of Kobe to the historic hot spring town of Arima at the foot of Mount Rokko—one of Japan's famed 100 mountains (hyaku meizan). Beyond their distinct charm, these towns are home to the cultural origins that have shaped Hyogo's living traditions: Port culture, onsen culture, sake brewing, and the mythological roots of Japan. Each city has its own origin story, and the knowledge and values that have been passed down through generations offer insights for shaping the future. These enduring legacies resonate with the theme of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai: “Designing Future Society for Our Lives”. Experiencing Hyogo's origins firsthand adds new depth and meaning to your visit to the Expo.

A port that shaped a city: Kobe's distinctive cosmopolitan culture
Photo: The view from Kobe Harborland

Photo: The historic Kobe Former Foreign Settlement Building No. 15

Western-style cuisine in Japan evolved after the port's opening, as Japanese chefs adapted Western dishes to local tastes, creating what is known in Japan as yoshoku (“Western food”). Classics such as beef stew, omurice, and beef cutlets have become Kobe staples.
Grill Ippei, established in 1952, is a well-loved Western-style restaurant known for its signature demi-glace sauce, a closely guarded family recipe passed down through four generations. At the Shinkaichi Honten location, head chef Zhou Jianming prepares each dish with care, offering up meals that have become a cherished treat for those seeking a touch of luxury.
Photo: Grill Ippei Shinkaichi Honten

The port's influence also shaped Kobe's confectionery scene. Since the 1910s, local bakers have been refining Western-style sweets, resulting in the highest number of confectioners per capita in Japan. Famous Kobe-born treats include Juchheim's baumkuchen, Kobe Fugetsudo's gaufre wafers, Goncharoff's Corbeille chocolates, Hontaka Sagoya's écorces, and Morozoff's Broadland cookies—beloved local delicacies that make perfect souvenirs.

Photo: Nankinmachi, Kobe's Chinatown

One of the world's rare non-volcanic hot springs
Located in Kobe City's Kita Ward, Arima Onsen stretches across the northern foothills of Mount Rokko, near the Momijidani (Maple Valley) area. Conveniently located less than a 30-minute train ride from central Kobe and around 60 minutes from Osaka, it is frequently mentioned in ancient texts and celebrated alongside Dogo Onsen in Ehime and Shirahama Onsen in Wakayama as one of Japan's Three Ancient Springs—a sanctuary of its centuries-old onsen heritage. Traditionally, Japanese hot springs were valued not only for relaxation but also for their therapeutic properties, giving rise to what is known as toji—a form of therapeutic treatment involving extended stays for healing and rejuvenation. Today, Arima continues to attract visitors seeking both relaxation and cultural immersion. What distinguishes Arima Onsen are its two distinct water types: the rich amber kinsen (golden waters) and the clear ginsen (silver waters). Kinsen is rich in iron, resulting in its characteristic reddish-brown hue and offering a warming, mineral-rich soak. In contrast, ginsen is clear, smooth on the skin, and known for its light, refreshing sensation.

While most hot springs are volcanic in origin, formed by heat from volcanic activity, Arima Onsen and nearby hot springs such as Takarazuka Onsen, Takeda Onsen, and Nada Onsen belong to a rare category known as non-volcanic hot springs. These are referred to as “Arima-type” onsen. Beneath the area lies the Philippine Sea Plate, which began subducting around 25 million years ago. At a depth of approximately 37 miles, water is forced out of the plate, rising to the surface and forming these hot springs. This geological process makes Arima Onsen and its neighboring springs a treasured global rarity.
Photo: A picturesque view of Arima Onsen town.

Arima Onsen is renowned for its charming streets, attracting visitors of all ages. One of its highlights is the Arima Onsen Shopping Street, lined with numerous restaurants and souvenir shops, perfect for a leisurely stroll. For an even deeper experience of the town's nostalgic ambience, don a traditional yukata—available for rent at local inns—and wander through the streets, fully immersing yourself in the timeless atmosphere of this historic hot spring town.
Photo: Arima Onsen Shopping Street

Just a short walk from the Arima Onsen Shopping Street, the Arima Tenjinja shrine houses a natural hot spring source, known as the Tenjin Sengen, within its grounds—another testament to Arima's deep-rooted onsen culture.
Photo: Arima Tenjinja shrine

Visitors can choose between numerous hotels and ryokan for overnight stays or enjoy a day trip with a soak at one of Arima’s public bathhouses. Kin no Yu, near the Arima Onsen Shopping Street entrance, is famous for its iron-rich kinsen waters and serves as a landmark of the town.
Photo: Kin no Yu hot spring

For those seeking the refreshing ginsen experience, Gin no Yu offers carbonated and radium-infused baths just a short walk from the main Arima Onsen Shopping Street, providing a soothing retreat amid Arima's timeless charm.
Photo: Gin no Yu hot spring

Experience Hyogo's distinct sake culture in Japan's top sake-producing region, Nada Gogo
Nada Gogo refers to a coastal area in Kobe City and Nishinomiya City known for its high concentration of sake breweries. Consisting of five distinct regions—Nishi-Go, Mikage-Go, Uozaki-Go, Nishinomiya-Go, and Imazu-Go—this area is widely regarded as Japan's top sake-producing region, with a history dating back to the 14th century. Here, sake culture is deeply embedded in the whole community.
Photo: Seishu refined sake from Nada Gogo

The Nada Gogo area flourished during the Edo period, when sake was transported to Edo (modern-day Tokyo) in wooden cedar barrels. During the voyage, the sake absorbed the cedar aroma, adding depth to its flavor, earning it the nickname “Nada no sake” and widespread popularity in Edo.
Photo: Traditional sake barrels

Hyogo Prefecture is also renowned for developing Yamada Nishiki, a premium rice variety ideal for sake brewing. Particularly in the Kita-Harima region, Yamada Nishiki is cultivated to exceptionally high standards, making it the finest in Japan. Hyogo's famed breweries use this superior rice, drawing tourists to popular sake tasting tours such as “Sake Tasting at Local Breweries Kobe,” a hit among visitors.
Photo: Yamada Nishiki, Hyogo's native sake rice

At the Kiku-Masamune Sake Brewery Museum in Kobe's Higashinada district, visitors can explore the 360-year history of this esteemed brewery. The museum houses a workshop called the Taru Sake Meister Factory, where artisans craft traditional sake barrels, offering visitors a rare glimpse into the craftsmanship behind sake production.
Photo: Barrel-making at Taru Sake Meister Factory

The Kiku-Masamune Sake Brewery Museum also features a Sake Brewing Exhibit Room, showcasing traditional sake-making techniques and tools. The historic brewing equipment offers an appreciation of Japan's cultural heritage and the intricacies of sake craftsmanship—not to mention, guests can enjoy tasting and purchasing sake on site, making this a must-visit for enthusiasts.
Photo: Sake brewing exhibit room at the Kiku-Masamune Sake Brewery Museum

Create your own traditional komodaru barrel
During the Edo period, komodaru barrels were crafted as cushioning material to protect sake during transport. At Kishimoto Kichiji Syouten, visitors can delve into the history of komodaru, tour the factory, and participate in interactive experiences such as kagami biraki (barrel opening) and painting mini komodaru barrels.
Photo: Komodaru barrels at Kishimoto Kichiji Syouten

A mythical journey: Discovering Nushima's sacred rocks by boat
Nushima, an island steeped in mythology, is believed to be the birthplace of Japan in the national creation myth. Located at the southernmost tip of Hyogo, this mystical island is surrounded by distinctive rock formations and reefs, best explored on the Onokoro Cruise. This guided tour aboard a fishing boat offers breathtaking views of Nushima's sacred rocks, accessible only by sea.

With a population of just 300, over half of Nushima's residents are involved in fishing. The Onokoro Cruise, led by local fishers, takes visitors on a complete tour around the island, navigating its perilous reefs with ease.
Photo: Go Onoyama, cruise guide

Among the highlights is Anaguchi, a deep cave carved into a 260-foot-high cliff known as Byobuiwa (“Folding-Screen Rock”). At approximately 165 feet deep, it is said to be the model for the “entrance to the underworld” in Japan's oldest surviving chronicle, the Kojiki.
Photo: Anaguchi Cave

Another must-see along the roughly 6-mile cruise route is Kamitategami-iwa, a towering 100-foot rock formation that appears midway through the tour. The rock is said to represent the deity Izanagi, paired with its counterpart nearby, Shitategami-iwa, symbolizing Izanami. Legend has it that these rocks are also known as Amenomihashira (Heavenly Pillar), used by the divine couple when they united in marriage and began creating the land. Locals affectionately refer to the formation as Tategami-san.
Photo: Kamitategami-iwa Rock

The island also boasts numerous shrines and temples linked to creation mythology, including Onokorojima Jinja.
Photo: Onokorojima Jinja, a shrine dedicated to Izanagi and Izanami, the deities of creation
EXPO 2025

Pavillion
In preparation for the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Hyogo Prefecture is transforming itself into a living pavilion through the Hyogo Field Pavilion initiative. This project showcases the region's charm, with locals leading the way in sharing their cultural and natural treasures. One of the standout programs is the Onokoro Cruise, offering visitors not only breathtaking views but also the opportunity to connect with the island's residents, gaining firsthand insight into their way of life and traditions.
Select offers in Hyogo Prefecture
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