20 Parks in Hyōgo worth your time

A 200-hectare agricultural park in Kobe featuring wine production, museums, and outdoor dining facilities on a scenic hilly site.

What it is

• A municipal agricultural park opened in 1984 and renamed Kobe Agri Park in 2025.
• The site covers 200 hectares of hilly land dedicated to farming and wine production.
• A large-scale facility producing approximately 400 tons of wine every year.
• Managed by ME Resort Tajima with wine production handled by Hakutsuru Sake Brewing.

What to see

• A dedicated wine museum and an on-site shop for local products.
• A folk tool museum and a pottery hall showcasing traditional crafts.
• Extensive vineyards and a barbecue area for outdoor dining.
• The surrounding hilly landscape of the Nishi Ward area.

When to go

• Visit between August and September to observe the annual grape harvest.
• The park is open daily from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

Getting there

• Take a bus from Seishin-chuo Subway Station to reach the park grounds.

Official site

www.kobewinery.or.jp

Read more about Kobecity Agricultural Park

Himeji Park is a large historical park surrounding Himeji Castle, offering gardens, museums, and events.

What it is

• An urban park in Himeji City.
• Located within the former second bailey of Himeji Castle.
• One of Japan's Top 100 Historical Parks.
• Developed on 68.1 hectares within a special historic site.

What to see

• Himeji Castle is a historical site within the park.
• Koko-en Garden is in the former Nishi-Ouyashiki site.
• Himeji City Museum of Art is located here.
• Otemae Park is in the southern part of the castle.
• Karoyashikiato Park reproduces the former Otesuji street.
• Shirotpia Commemorative Park was established in 1989.

When to go

• Hosts festivals, city events, and live performances.

Getting there

• A 10-minute walk from Himeji Station.

Official site

www.city.himeji.lg.jp

Read more about Himeji Park

Shirasagi-yama Park offers song monuments, walking paths, and Kofun-period burial mounds.

What it is

• A natural urban park on Shirasagi-yama mountain.
• Known for walking paths and seasonal flowers.
• Features monuments for children's songs and a philosopher.
• Contains burial mounds from the Kofun period.

What to see

• Walking paths like 'Doyo no Komichi' and 'Tetsugaku no Michi'.
• Monuments on 'Doyo no Komichi' play children's song melodies.
• A monument for philosopher Miki Kiyoshi on 'Tetsugaku no Michi'.
• 'Gogatsu no Dai Hiroba' and a national lodge.
• Shirasagi-yama burial mounds from the Kofun period.
• Excavated human bones and bronze mirrors from burial mounds.

When to go

• Cherry blossoms in spring.
• Azaleas in season.

Read more about Shirasagi-yama Park

Tsuzumigataki Park offers a scenic waterfall, seasonal beauty, and a glimpse into local history.

What it is

• A park in Kobe City, south of Arima Onsen town.
• Named after Tsuzumigataki Waterfall, whose sound resembled a drum.
• The waterfall was repaired after the 1938 Hanshin Great Flood.

What to see

• Tsuzumigataki Waterfall, 8 meters high.
• One of the Arima Rokkei, famous since the Edo period.
• A teahouse is located near the waterfall.
• Genji fireflies and Kajika frogs live in the clear water.

When to go

• Spring for cherry blossoms.
• Summer for new green leaves and fireflies.
• Autumn for vibrant autumn leaves.

Getting there

• 5-minute walk from Arima Onsen Station.

Read more about Tsuzumigataki Park

Tatsuno Park offers nature, history, and a zoo, perfect for a relaxing hour.

What it is

• A general park in Tatsuno City, Hyogo Prefecture.
• Planned in 1952, opened in 1955.
• Belongs to Seiban Hills Prefectural Natural Park.
• Covers approximately 16.0 hectares.

What to see

• Tatsuno Park Zoo and Shuen-tei are inside.
• Tatsuno Shrine and Nomi-no-Sukune Shrine are here.
• Mukuroji is a designated local monument.
• Walking paths and various squares.
• Located at the foot of Mt. Keirozan and Mt. Matobayama.

When to go

• Known for cherry blossoms in spring.
• Known for autumn leaves in autumn.

Getting there

• 25-minute walk from Hon-Tatsuno Station.

Official site

www.city.tatsuno.lg.jp

Read more about Tatsuno Park

This park offers close-up views of aircraft taking off and landing at Osaka International Airport.

What it is

• A park in Itami City, Hyogo Prefecture.
• Located north of Osaka International Airport.
• Formed by two parks: Air Front Oasis Shimogawara and Shimogawara Ryokuchi.
• Developed by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, and Itami City.

What to see

• Lawns, monuments, and playground equipment.
• Views of aircraft taking off and landing on runway 14L/32R.
• Small aircraft takeoffs and landings are particularly visible.
• Helicopter operations can be watched from the park.

Getting there

• 15-minute walk from Kita-Itami Station on the JR Takarazuka Line.

Address

兵庫県伊丹市下河原 Map

Read more about Air Front Oasis Shimogawara

Akashi Park offers castle ruins, a historic garden, and scenic views, ideal for history and nature lovers.

What it is

• Prefectural urban park in Akashi City, Hyogo Prefecture.
• Established in 1918 by the prefecture.
• Covers almost the entire Akashi Castle site.
• Selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Urban Parks.

What to see

• Akashi Castle ruins, a national historic site.
• Kon-Yagura and Tatsumi-Yagura turrets, important cultural properties.
• Japanese garden attributed to Miyamoto Musashi.
• Main keep offers views of Awaji Island and Akashi Kaikyo Bridge.
• About 200 types of trees and various wild birds.

When to go

• Selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Viewing Sites.

Official site

hyogo-akashipark.jp

Read more about Akashi Park

Kinosaki Marine World is an aquarium with sea life and interactive experiences, offering views of Hiyoriyama Coast.

What it is

• Picturesque aquarium with views of Hiyoriyama Coast.
• Features local marine and river species.

What to see

• Extraordinary array of sea life.
• Local marine and river species.
• Humboldt penguins, California sea lions, spotted seals.
• Japan's deepest water tank (12 meters deep).
• Rocky seabed of the Hiyoriyama Coast replica.
• Sea animal performances.

What to do

• Interactive experiences for visitors.
• Fishing ponds to catch aji (Japanese horse mackerel).
• Have fish transformed into fresh tempura.
• Watch sea animal performances throughout the day.

Address

〒669-6192 兵庫県豊岡市瀬戸1090番地 Map

Official site

marineworld.hiyoriyama.co.jp

Read more about Kinosaki Marine World

Aramaki Rose Park is a free botanical garden with 10,000 roses of 250 species.

What it is

• A public urban park in Itami, Hyogo Prefecture.
• Created primarily for rose exhibition in a botanical garden.
• Cultivates 10,000 roses of about 250 species.
• Designed in a Southern European style.

What to see

• Famous rose varieties like 'Amatsu Otome' and 'Madame Violet'.
• A peace monument by Bukichi Inoue.
• A botanical garden and a rose garden.
• A 'Hasselt Corner' rose garden.
• Part of the Tenjin River embankment with 10m elevation difference.

When to go

• Best time to visit is May-June.
• Also good to visit in October-November.

Official site

midoriplaza.com

Read more about Aramaki Rose Park

Visit Nihon Heso Park to stand at Japan's geographical center and explore unique museums.

What it is

• An urban park in Nishiwaki City, Hyogo Prefecture.
• Marks the intersection of 135°E longitude and 35°N latitude.
• A marker was erected at the intersection point in 1923.
• Renamed Nihon Heso Park in 1983.

What to see

• The marker at the geographical center of Japan.
• Idobashi (Latitude Bridge) over the Kako River.
• Okanoyama Museum, opened in 1984.
• Nishiwaki Latitude and Longitude Earth Science Museum.
• A monument designed by Patrick Berger.

Getting there

• Take the Kakogawa Line to Nihon Heso Koen Station.

Official site

www.city.nishiwaki.lg.jp

Read more about Nihon Heso Park

Nasa Forest Park was a large nature park with a campsite, now permanently closed.

What it is

• A forest park, nature park, and campsite.
• Provisionally opened on July 1, 1993.
• Located at the foot of Mt. Ooka.
• Permanently closed on March 31, 2024.

What to see

• Surrounded by 86ha of conservation forest.
• Conservation forest has a 5.5km long promenade.
• Approximately 26,000 trees of 63 types were planted.
• Facilities included an administration building and cooking facilities.
• A community hall and a roller skating rink were present.

When to go

• The Nasa Forest Park Festival was held annually in May.

Read more about Nasa Forest Park

Okami Park offers scenic views of the Kasumi Coast, Sea of Japan, and unique natural monuments.

What it is

• A park at the tip of the Shiroyama Peninsula.
• Known as a viewpoint of the Kasumi Coast.

What to see

• Views of Shiraishi Island and the Sea of Japan.
• A promenade leading to Kasumi East Port.
• Okamitei, Kasumi Astronomical Observatory, and a cenotaph.
• Yusuge colonies, a designated natural monument.
• Sendanba no Bodaiju, a designated natural monument.
• Shii community forest, a designated natural monument.

When to go

• Spring for cherry blossoms.
• Summer for daylilies.
• Evening for sunsets over the sea.

Read more about Okami Park

Amusement park on mountain peaks with panoramic views, gardens, and hiking trails.

What it is

• Amusement park in Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture.
• Located on the peaks of Mt. Hachibuse and Mt. Hatafuri.
• Opened in 1959.
• Operated by Sanyo Electric Railway since 2019.

What to see

• Rotating observation deck with 360-degree panoramic views.
• Scenic lift.
• Plum grove, rugosa rose garden, and wisteria garden.
• Rokko Mountains hiking trail passes through the park.
• Hatafuri Chaya, where Yosa Buson composed a haiku.

Getting there

• Access by Sumaura Ropeway and carlator.
• From Sanyo Sumaura Koen Station.

Official site

www.sumaura-yuen.jp

Read more about Sumaura Sanjo Amusement Park

Awaji World Park Onokoro: a miniature park with global landmarks and amusement rides.

What it is

• A miniature park displaying world buildings and fairy tale scenes.
• Features amusement facilities, including a Ferris wheel.
• Originally opened by Hyogo Prefecture's third sector.

What to see

• Miniature reproductions of 18 famous world buildings at 1/25 scale.
• A full-scale wooden sailing ship, the Shinetsu Maru.
• A museum dedicated to Kaoru Kanetaka's travels.
• An observation restaurant and merchandise sales facilities.

When to go

• Ferris wheel reopened on September 19, 2023, after renovation.

Official site

www.onokoro.jp

Read more about Awaji World Park Onokoro

Kobe East Park is Japan's first Western-style park, offering historical monuments and a children's book forest.

What it is

• A city park managed by Kobe City.
• Opened in 1875 as a park for foreigners.
• Japan's first Western-style athletic park.
• Registered as a national monument in 2011.

What to see

• Monuments related to the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake.
• A children's book forest, opened in March 2023.
• A flower clock.

When to go

• Annual 1.17 Gathering memorial event.
• Kobe Luminarie uses the park as its main venue.

Getting there

• Located next to the Kobe City Hall main building.

Official site

eastpark.jp

Read more about Kobe East Park

Tegarayama Central Park is a large city park with a stadium and aquarium, easily accessible by train.

What it is

• A general park in Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture.
• Established in 1942 as Tegarayama Park.
• Main venue for the Himeji Grand Exposition in 1966.
• Will be renamed Tegarayama Heiwa Park on April 1, 2025.

What to see

• Pacific War National War-Damaged City Air Raid Victims Memorial Tower.
• Himeji Stadium is located within the park.
• Himeji City Aquarium is located within the park.
• Tegara-zakura is a new cherry blossom variety.

Getting there

• Accessible from Tegarayama Heiwa Koen Station.

Official site

www.city.himeji.lg.jp

Read more about Tegarayama Central Park

This park preserves earthquake damage as a memorial, offering a sobering look at a natural disaster.

What it is

• A memorial park completed in July 1997.
• Dedicated to the Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake disaster.
• Part of the "Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake Disaster Remains Group."
• Selected as a JSCE Civil Engineering Heritage Site in 2018.

What to see

• About 60 meters of quay preserved as it was damaged.
• An exhibition space with record photo panels.

Getting there

• 12-minute walk from Motomachi Station.
• 10-minute walk from Kyukyoryuchi-Daimarumae Station.
• 12-minute walk from Minato Motomachi Station.

Read more about Port of Kobe Earthquake Memorial Park

Himeji Central Park offers a safari, amusement rides, and seasonal activities for a full day of fun.

What it is

• A complex leisure facility.
• Opened on March 25, 1984.
• Includes a safari park and an amusement park.
• Sister park to Nairobi National Park.

What to see

• Japan's first inverted coaster, Diablo.
• A gondola lift called Sky Safari.
• An 85-meter Ferris wheel, once world's tallest.
• Four Asian elephants arriving in 2025.

When to go

• Summer for the Aquarea pool area.
• Winter for the Ice Park skating rink.

Getting there

• Take Shinki Bus from Himeji Station.

Official site

www.central-park.co.jp

Read more about Himeji Central Park

Botanical gardens showcasing over 2,000 native plant species, including a natural monument tree.

What it is

• A botanical garden in Kami Town, Hyogo Prefecture.
• Established on June 15, 1997.
• Located in the Torokawadaira wetland at 680m altitude.
• Covers an area of 17 hectares.

What to see

• Over 2,000 species of native plants.
• Wachi no Okatsura, a symbolic natural monument.
• Sennensui, a natural spring water stream.
• Ligularia and Lythrum clusters in Torokawadaira Wetland.
• Conifer Garden and Yawagara Pond.

When to go

• Operates annually from early April to late November.

Official site

tajima-garden.jp

Read more about Tajima Plateau Botanical Gardens

Shukugawa Park is a scenic river park, famous for its 1,700 cherry trees.

What it is

• A 4km park along the Shukugawa riverbed.
• Officially named Shukugawa Kasenjiki Ryokuchi.
• Constructed in 1937, designated a 'street' in 1932.
• Selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots.

What to see

• Approximately 1,700 cherry trees.
• Trees planted along 2.7km of the park.

When to go

• Famous for its cherry blossoms.

Getting there

• Accessible by Hankyu train line.
• Accessible by Hanshin train line.
• Accessible by JR train line.

Official site

www.nishi.or.jp

Read more about Shukugawa Park