I recently took a two-day trip to Hyogo Prefecture, hosted by the Hyogo Tourism Promotion Division and Kobe Universal Tourism Center. The journey highlighted some of Hyogo’s accessible landmarks in Himeji and Kobe. Here’s a recap of the experience.
Day 1: Himeji – History and Beauty
Starting in the morning, I boarded the Nozomi Shinkansen from Tokyo just before 9:00 to Himeji. The trip took just a few hours, with no transfers, and I arrived just before lunchtime.
Upon arrival, the director of the Himeji Universal Tourism Center, joined by staff from Hyogo Tourism Promotion Division and Kobe Universal Tourism Center, met me at the station. He accompanied us to lunch at Senhime Chaya, located in Egret Himeji, across the road from Himeji Castle. The restaurant offered a variety of local dishes and the staff were very accommodating by quickly removing chairs and offering a fork and spoon. Afterward, he took us to the rooftop of the shopping center, which provided an excellent view of Himeji Castle, something I would have never discovered without a local guide.
The day’s highlight was Himeji Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site often called the “White Heron Castle” for its elegant design. Although the main keep is not wheelchair accessible, the outer grounds and Bizenmaru area can be explored with the help of a companion to get up some of the steeper inclines. Visitors can also contact the Himeji Universal Tourism Center for help borrowing a wheelchair or other accessibility aids. For more information, check out our guide to Himeji Castle.
Next, I visited Kokoen Garden, a beautifully designed Japanese garden near the castle. Accessible pathways made it easy to enjoy the garden’s nine unique styles, which reflect different periods of Japanese landscaping. It was impressive to see how accessibility and traditional design were seamlessly integrated. For more details, visit our page on Kokoen Garden.
As the evening approached, I traveled to Kobe and checked in at Hotel Okura Kobe. The hotel is close to the harbor and offers two universal rooms. I stayed in one on the 22nd floor, which provided fantastic views of the city. In addition to many other accessibility features, it is one of the few hotels I have seen was a motorized bed. Learn more about the hotel here.
Day 2: Kobe – A Blend of Nature and Culture
The second day began with a visit to the Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens and Ropeway, located on Mount Rokko. While using public transit is possible, the Kobe Universal Tourism Center arranged a lift-equipped van, which made traveling easy and convenient for a short trip. The ropeway is wheelchair accessible, and the panoramic views of Kobe and the gardens were incredible. Though steep in some areas, the accessible paths within the garden allowed me to enjoy most of the vibrant herbs and flowers. For more details about Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens and Ropeway, visit our guide.
After going back down the ropeway, we got back in the van and headed to Kobe’s Nada district, known for its historic sake breweries. I had lunch at Sakuraen, a restaurant within the Sakuramasamune Sake Brewery Museum. The meal included several dishes featuring koji, a fermentation starter used in making sake, soy sauce, and miso. It was a great way to experience the area’s culinary traditions.
After lunch, I explored the Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum, also in the Nada district. The museum offers a detailed look at sake production and free tastings of their signature brews. It is wheelchair accessible, allowing everyone to enjoy the exhibits. For more information, visit our page on Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum.
I returned to Tokyo on the Shinkansen in time for a late dinner. It always amazes me how you can go so far across Japan in a single day
Plan Your Visit to Hyogo!
Hyogo Prefecture is an excellent destination for accessible travel, whether you’re planning a day trip from Osaka or a two-day journey from Tokyo. From the historical landmarks of Himeji to the cultural and culinary experiences in Kobe, Hyogo has something for everyone. I highly recommend adding it to your Japan travel plans!
For assistance with accessibility or planning your trip, while their websites are not yet available in English, you can still use English to contact the Himeji Universal Tourism Center and the Kobe Universal Tourism Center, both of which provide resources for travelers, including wheelchair rentals and guidance.
Be sure to explore the detailed accessibility information for each location mentioned in this blog:
- Himeji Castle
- Kokoen Garden
- Hotel Okura Kobe
- Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens and Ropeway
- Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum
If you have any questions about accessibility or need advice, feel free to ask in the Japan group on tabifolk, our online community for accessible travel. The friendly members are always happy to help!
Josh Grisdale
Josh Grisdale is originally from Toronto, Canada and became interested in Japan during high school. He refused to let his disability stop him from following his dream to live and work in Japan and moved to Tokyo in 2007, and became a naturalized citizen in 2016. He created Accessible Japan to encourage people with disabilities to come and visit the country he loves. He also founded the accessible travel community, tabifolk.
This trip was sponsored by the Hyogo Tourism Promotion Division and Kobe Universal Tourism Center. However, all opinions expressed here are my own, based on my personal experiences exploring these incredible locations.
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