Population: 5,590,601(8th in Japan)

Number of households: 2,128,963

Area (km²): 8,395.80(11th in Japan)

Gross prefectural product (in billions of yen): 18,709(8th in Japan)

Kobe port

Nadagogo

Kobe InternationalAirport

(C)Kobe Convention & Visitors Association

Located approximately in the center of Honshu, the largest island in Japan, the meridian that determines Japan Standard Time runs through Hyogo. This prefecture, which is also the largest in Kansai, faces the Sea of Japan in the north and the Seto Inland Sea in the south, linking it to the Pacific. Geographic conditions vary greatly between north and south, and the climate in the northern region is characterized by frequent overcast weather, rain and snow. In contrast, the southern region has a warm, mild climate with less rain.

Kobe, the prefectural capital, prospered in the era of Taira-no-Kiyomori in the 12th century through trade with the Chinese Song Dynasty. In the following centuries, it has continued to develop as an international trading port and has become an entryway for foreign culture. Furthermore, castle towns, including Himeji, Izushi, Ako and Akashi, also prospered and developed unique cultures.

With the city of Amagasaki and other nationally prominent zones, Hyogo is one of the top industrial prefectures in Japan. Gross prefectural product is 8th in the nation. In particular, the economic value of electrical equipment, technical instruments, food products and chemical products made in Hyogo is very high. In addition to food products, the Nada-Gogo district, between the cities of Nishinomiya and Kobe, is famous for the production of Japanese sake. In the center of Kobe, there is a concentration of fashion-related industries. On Port Island, a large reclaimed island, the creation of a regenerative medical industry is proceeding. Moreover, the Kobe Airport was opened off the coast of the island in 2006. Including those on Awaji Island, Hyogo has 36 industrial parks, the most in Kansai.

With Himeji Castle, which is both a national treasure and a World Heritage site, Arima Onsen, which is said to be Japan's oldest hot-spring resort, and the old Western-style Kitano neighborhood in Kobe, Hyogo has numerous famous tourist spots. In addition, Kinosaki, Yumura, Kasumi and other old hot-springs districts are well known.