Top Hyogo Prefecture Cultural Tours

Discovering a new city, especially one like beautiful Kobe, is exciting but it's even more fun when you get to do it with a friend by your side. That is exactly what it will feel like as you explore Kobe with one of our hosts from the area. Visit Ikuta Shrine, one of Japan's oldest Shinto shrines, or amble up Mt. Rokko. You could also venture beyond Mount Rokko to the outdoor hot springs of Arima Onsen. Kobe is a hive of activity, from fine dining to downtown shopping, animal petting, so get ready for an adventure. adventure awaits. Within 24 hours after booking you'll receive a short questionnaire about your personality and interests. Based on your responses, you'll be assigned a like-minded host. Your host will communicate with you directly to suggest an itinerary to help you discover what makes the city unique. You will also agree on a meeting time and place. Your itinerary is flexible, so during the experience, you can always change your mind about what you want to do.

This is a virtual tour using Zoom, online conference system. This unique 1h tour brings you to one of the most beautiful and popular cities in Japan, Kobe and surrounding hot spring resort, Arima. The friendly host will make your experience more interactive. We use not only photos or videos but also handmade materials or actual goods from guides' living room, that makes you feel livelier. You can ask them anything about Japan, Kobe and other popular tourists spots by chat or by talk session between and after the tour. This tour will provide helpful hints for your future trip to Japan. PLEASE NOTE the tour time is Japan standard time. Make adjustment to your time when booking. We'll send you Zoom URL invitation and you can enter the room easily.

Customize your sightseeing itinerary on this private walking tour of Kobe, Japan’s historic port city. Choose from multiple options, including a scenic cruise along Kobe Bay, a visit to the top of panoramic Kobe Port Tower, and admission to Kawasaki World, a transportation-themed museum. Tours include free time for lunch, so you can grab a bite of the city’s famed Kobe steak.

"Himeji Castle" and "Enkyoji Temple", both of which have a history of more than 1,000 years, are World Heritage Sites that must not be missed when you visit Himeji. The attraction of Himeji castle is its pure white walls, which are called the most beautiful castle in Japan. Also, the inside of the castle still has the equipment used for warfare 400 years ago, when the samurai lived there. You also can't help but feel a sense of historical romance when you see the dignified appearance of the castle. The tour at Himeji Castle alone would be enough to satisfy you, but afterward, we will take a bus and a ropeway to Engyoji Temple on Mt.Shosya. The temple is one of the largest temples in Japan and has many cultural assets designated by the government. Once you step into Mt. Shosha, you will be overwhelmed by the serene mountains and feel a sense of purity.

City tours are great for first-time visits but often have rigid itineraries and tight schedules. This tour offers the chance to design a completely custom family-friendly itinerary with a local host assigned to you based on your interests. Highlights can include riding a cable car up Mount Rokko, visiting Arima Onsen Hot Springs, or checking out the Oji Zoo. Once the tour begins, you’re free to change destinations as you see fit.

Make the most of a short time on land with this private shore excursion to Kobe. Instead of rushing around with a large group, slow down and appreciate the quieter side of Kobe. Visit the Herb Gardens, the Nunobiki Ropeway, and more. Sake lovers will enjoy checking out a sake brewery, to learn more about this Japanese drink. Foodies can also opt to dine at a restaurant serving Kobe beef.

-Get insights into History of Himeji Castle from a local guide- Discover its beauty and wonder. You will enter the castle and learn about its rich history as well as Japanese culture. Enjoy gazing outside its windows which offers a delightful view of the city. -Venture into Kokoen Garden & Experience Japanese tea ceremony- We'll head to the Kokoen garden where you can bask in the beauty of a Japanese style garden. Along the way, we will also stop by for a tea ceremony, you can try out Matcha(Japanese tea) and unwind while enjoying the surrounding nature. -Enjoy the beautiful view of Himeji Castle from an observatory- We'll head to an viewing observatory where you can view Himeji castle. Climb the steps and behold the beauty of Himeji castle, looking at a castle in the sky. Magical Trip is a local tour operator with the TripAdvisor certificate of excellence that offers various types of small-group tours throughout Japan! Check out our Trip Advisor Page for more tours and our reviews!

Enjoy a leisurely 7-hour tour of Kobe, a port town that developed and flourished after Japan opened its ports to the world in the mid 19th century with a local guide. From the north in nature rich Mt. Rokko, downtown Kobe City in the south where you can enjoy shopping and gourmet, and Japan's leading sake breweries in the eastern Kashiwa sake district, enjoy a varied atmosphere in this coastal city. This tour covers all the best Kobe has to offer. We also offer pick-up and drop-off at Kobe Port making this a convenient day trip for those visiting Kobe on cruise ships such as the “Diamond Princess” or the “Celebrity Millennium”.

In the north, the mountain. In the south, the sea... In the middle, you! Visiting this so beautiful city. We will discover together Kobe, from the north to the south. History, fashion and modernity are melting in this so picturesque city.

Arima Onsen (hot spring) is famous as the oldest hot spring resort in Japan. The high quality of the spring water still attracts people, and many tourists from Japan and abroad come to spend a relaxing time in the old-fashioned streets. In this tour, you can experience the deeper Arima culture by strolling around the hot spring town. There are two main types of onsen sources in Arima Onsen: the reddish-brown "Kinsen" (Gold hot spring) and the carbonated "Ginsen" (silver hot spring). It is said to be very rare to find two hot springs with completely different ingredients gushing out in the same area. At some of the spots, you can see the source gushing out, touch it, and drink it. We will introduce you to the mechanism of the source, and visit stores that sell Japan's first cider, which developed from carbonated water, and specialty rice crackers, to show you all the charm of Arima Onsen. Join this tour of the highlights of Arima Onsen and experience Japan's hot spring culture!

Kobe is known worldwide for its eponymous beef, but there’s more to this city’s food scene than this prized meat. On this private tour, you’ll be matched with a food-loving local host who will devise a food-focused itinerary that suits your taste and eating style. Sample multiple foods, as well as beer, sake, and Japanese soft drinks.

You’ll spend the day with one of our hosts discovering the true nature of Kobe - and there is plenty of nature to see, the city is wedged between sweeping coastlines and vast mountain ranges after all. Explore the thriving Kobe Motomachi Shopping Street and indulge in authentic cuisine in Nankinmachi, Kobe’s Chinatown. Scale the Kobe Port Tower, where you can see the city's sweeping skyline highlighted by the neon, and discover hidden gems along the way, like the smaller shrines and historic streets that many visitors miss - but not you! Within 24 hours after booking you'll receive a short questionnaire about your personality and interests. Based on your responses, you'll be assigned a like-minded host. Your host will communicate with you directly to suggest an itinerary to help you discover what makes the city unique. You will also agree on a meeting time and place. Your itinerary is flexible, so during the experience, you can always change your mind about what you want to do.

Cruise passengers with limited time on land will enjoy the convenience of this private tour of Nara from Osaka or Kobe. Learn all about Japanese history and culture at this ancient capital, full of UNESCO-listed temples and shrines, traditional Japanese gardens, and one of the biggest Buddha statues in the country. You’ll be picked up from the port or your hotel and returned there at the end of the day.

Take the train to Osaka with your local host to soak up the city’s history at Osaka Castle and Sumiyoshi-taisha – one of the oldest shrines in Japan – or dive into its kaleidoscopic modern culture in the central entertainment districts of Dōtonbori and Namba, where animatronic signs and buzzing restaurants line the canals. Maybe you’ll experience Osaka’s food culture, feasting on takoyaki at a ramshackle izakaya in Hozenji Yokocho alleyway, or simply grabbing street eats in retro shopping district Shinsekai on your way to Tsūtenkaku Tower. Within 24 hours after booking you'll receive a short questionnaire about your personality and interests. Based on your responses, you'll be assigned a like-minded host. Your host will communicate with you directly to suggest an itinerary to help you discover what makes the city unique. You will also agree on a meeting time and place. Your itinerary is flexible, so during the experience, you can always change your mind about what you want to do.

Kobe is one of Japan's most fashionable areas and known for having an unusual mix of cultures. This walking tour will take you to some of the must-visit places in Kobe alongside a private guide who will help you to better understand Kobe’s cultural background. Kobe's diverse culture is rooted in its history as a cosmopolitan city that has always adopted and developed new things. Kobe has prospered since the Middle Ages as a key point for domestic shipping, but its role as a residential area was limited and, consequently, there was no indigenous culture to speak of. The opening of the country to the outside world in 1853 led to the establishment of foreign settlements and the influx of Western culture. It absorbed and mixed the foreign cultures that came in with the opening of the country, and nurtured its own unique culture. Today, the city thrives as one of the leading international cities in Japan, thanks to its abundant flow of international cultural exchange.

An exclusive tour for all the romantics of the world! Together with the professional local guide, you will visit the most romantic places in the city. What are some of the most romantic places to take your loved one during a day out in Kobe? The city is filled with spots that are great for couples, including ones with romantic nightscapes. You will feel spellbound in a charming atmosphere. What is considered as one of the best places to have a date in the city? Where can you make lovely photos? You will be surprised how many historical love stories are hidden in the streets, buildings, parks of the city. From heartbreaking and tragic, to the hilarious or spicy ones. What is so special about the Nankingmach spot? Why is it considered a favorite spot for couples? What is the most famous historical couple in Japan? What does the view of Mount Rokku have to offer to couples? This tour is especially recommended in the Saint Valentine period!

This private and customizable tour for Himeji is perfect for guests who would like to have their own itinerary planned based on their interests and preferences, allowing guests to experience the city at their own pace.

This private and customizable tour for Kobe is perfect for guests who would like to have their own itinerary planned based on their interests and preferences, allowing guests to experience the city at their own pace.

This private and customizable tour for Himeji is perfect for guests who would like to have their own itinerary planned based on their interests and preferences, allowing guests to experience the city at their own pace.

This value-packed trip with a government-licensed and experienced multilingual tour guide is a fantastic and efficient way to explore Himeji! Himeji is home to Japan's biggest and best-preserved feudal-era castle, Himeji-jo. Its white-plaster facade and elegant presence earned it the nickname Shirasagi-jo (White Egret Castle). Widely considered Japan's finest castle, it is worthy as the focus of a day trip to the area. Let us know what you would like to experience and we will customize a six-hour tour that's best for you! Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary. Note*2: The National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.

Kinosaki Onsen is famous for its outdoor hot springs and crabs. Wandering around the town in yukata (summer kimono), clacking your geta (Japanese wooden clogs), is a fun experience. But wait a minute! There are many other attractions that only a hot spring resort with 1300 years of history in Japan can offer. In this tour, we will take a look at some of the typical attractions of Kinosaki Onsen that you will find "wonderful! In this tour, we will guide you through some of the typical Kinosaki Onsen experiences that you will find "wonderful! It will be an unforgettable and memorable experience.

Take the train to Kyoto with your local host, and discover another side of Japanese culture in its 8th-century capital. Explore the cobbled streets of traditional entertainment district Gion, see the famous flame-colored tunnel of Fushimi Inari Shrine, or visit the Arashiyama bamboo grove in western Kyoto. At dusk, when the city’s iconic paper lanterns are lit, you could even spot a mesmerizing geisha floating through the streets. Whatever you decide, you’ll discover more than just the Kyoto in your guidebook. Within 24 hours after booking you'll receive a short questionnaire about your personality and interests. Based on your responses, you'll be assigned a like-minded host. Your host will communicate with you directly to suggest an itinerary to help you discover what makes the city unique. You will also agree on a meeting time and place. Your itinerary is flexible, so during the experience, you can always change your mind about what you want to do.

An exclusive tour for all the romantics of the world! Together with the professional local guide, you will visit the most romantic places in the city. You will feel spellbound in a charming atmosphere. Himeji Castle and the surrounding Kokoen gardens make for an incredibly romantic place to explore. What is so special about it? What is considered as one of the best places to have a date in the city? Where can you make lovely photos? You will be surprised how many historical love stories are hidden in the streets, buildings, parks of the city. From heartbreaking and tragic, to the hilarious or spicy ones. Find love and happiness in sacred places dedicated to sweethearts. What is the most famous historical couple in Japan? Which holy shrine is dedicated to love? Koinoki Shrine is dedicated to love and is the only shrine in Japan that enshrines the god of love Koi-no-Mikoto. This tour is especially recommended in the Saint Valentine period!

This value-packed trip with a government-licensed and experienced multilingual tour guide is a fantastic and efficient way to explore Kobe! Perched on a hillside sloping down to the sea, Kobe is one of Japan's most attractive and cosmopolitan cities. Compact and designed for walking, it is easily visited as a day trip from Osaka or Kyoto. Immerse yourself in the city's distinct atmosphere and dining options! Let us know what you would like to experience and we will customize a six-hour tour that's best for you! Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary. Note*2: The National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.