Hyogo: Your Gateway to the Ultimate Educational Trip in Japan🏫
- HBCC
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
Are you planning an educational trip to Japan for students and teaching professionals?
Consider Hyogo as your destination! Hyogo has an established record of providing high quality exchange programs. We have many diverse and unique schools and we will be able to find one that matches your needs. We can assist with school visits and cultural learning activities depending on availability. Let us help you create a meaningful and engaging educational experience in the heart of Japan.
Where is Hyogo?
Hyogo is located at the heart of Japan called Kansai region which encompasses Osaka and Kyoto. The capital city is Kobe and it is the 6th largest city in Japan.
Why Hyogo?
Hyogo offers excellent access to popular sightseeing spots throughout the Kansai region.
From Kobe, it's just 20 minutes to Osaka and 50 minutes to Kyoto by local train, and only 1 hour to Hiroshima or 2.5 hours to Tokyo via Shinkansen. The area is also well-connected with three airports, providing convenient links to Tokyo and other major cities across Japan.
School visits in Hyogo
School visits are available from half-day to multi-day programs, from elementary school to high school offering students the chance to experience authentic Japanese classroom life. Many secondary schools offer after-school club activities ranging from popular sports like baseball and basketball to traditional martial arts such as judo, kendo, kyudo, and even sumo. Cultural clubs like koto (traditional Japanese string instrument) and tea ceremony also provide rich, hands-on learning opportunities.
Students can experience uniquely Japanese school traditions, such as daily classroom cleaning and lunchtime. For those visiting elementary schools, it’s especially eye-opening to see how young students prepare and serve lunch themselves, fostering responsibility and teamwork from an early age.
As a region that experienced the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, Hyogo also offers opportunities for disaster preparedness education. Some schools have special programs focused on disaster awareness and resilience. If you are interested, please contact us directly for more information.
Classroom experiences
School lunch at an elementary school in Tambasasayama City in Hyogo using locally grown ingredients.
After school club activities (Calligraphy, Kendo, Karate, Tea Ceremony and Koto)
Learning History and Culture in Hyogo
Hyogo offers diverse opportunities for students and teachers to explore Japanese history and culture. From the world-famous Himeji Castle and traditional Awaji Puppet Theater, to the exciting Nada Fighting Festival and relaxing hot springs at Kinosaki and Arima, the region is rich in educational experiences. However, Hyogo has even more to offer beyond these highlights, providing unique and immersive learning opportunities that go deeper into Japan’s cultural heritage and regional diversity.
If your students are interested in mechanics, visit Kawasaki Good Time World, the corporate museum of Kawasaki Heavy Industry which was born in Kobe and has a history of over a century. Visitors can see products such as motorcycles, bullet trains, and robots that were made using the latest cutting-edge technology. For Japanese anime lovers, Tezuka Osamu museum in Takarazuka city or Awaji Nijigen no Mori in Awaji will be a wonderful place to spend time exploring the world of Japanese anime. If you are a fan of Japanese snacks and candy, Glicopia Kobe may be your choice. You can enjoy a tour view of the production process for our world-famous Pocky and PRETZ products.
Hands-on cultural activities such as abacus making, incense crafting, and traditional washi paper making are excellent for educational purposes. In Ono City, visitors can create their own colorful Banshu abacus at a local manufacturing factory. The abacus is still used in Japanese math and science education and is gaining international recognition. In the Tamba-Sasayama area, where visitors can experience traditional townscapes, students can also try on samurai armor or take part in pottery making activities (Tachikui yaki) —offering valuable cultural and educational experiences.
We have numerous companies, public facilities, local universities, NPO and volunteer groups that offer a variety of educational programs for visiting students and educators. Most of these facilities are easily accessible, and we’re confident we can help you find the perfect fit for your needs.
Students and teachers can travel between locations or schedule visits before or after their half-day, full-day, or multi-day school programs. With Osaka and Kyoto both reachable within an hour, you’re free to create a flexible itinerary that suits your schedule and interests.
If you have any questions or need assistance in planning your visit, please feel free to reach out to us—we’re here to help you make the most of your educational experience in Hyogo.
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