Hyogo is comprised of five regions. Each region is quite different from the others in terms of climate, industry, and cultural and historical background.

Hanshin :

Hanshin (accounting for 60% of the population in Hyogo) is highly industrialized, especially around the international port city of Kobe, the largest city and capital of Hyogo. To avoid potential concentration problems, Hanshin is developing complex environmental control and regional redevelopment programs. Shipbuilding and steel manufacturing are the leading industries of Hanshin. It is also a brewing center for many of Japan's most prestigious sake brands and is the source of the delicious Kobe beef. The city of Takarazuka offers the famous exciting all-girl revue, and entertainment with universal appeal.

Harima :

Harima occupies the Southwest section of Hyogo. The part of Harima adjacent to Kobe is likewise highly modernized, but throughout the inland regions, farming and traditional industries prevail. Harima is perhaps most well known for the Himeji Castle which is also called the Egret Castle because of its resemblance to the tall, white elegant bird. This National Treasure and UNESCO World Heritage was built in 1609 by Warlord Terumasa Ikeda. Near the city of Akashi, the remains of primitive man were found illustrating that Hyogo was inhabited very early on.

Tajima :

Tajima is the most northerly and mountainous district of Hyogo. With substantial snowfall during the Winter months, it is primarily a rural area. Because its population is decreasing as young people move to urban areas, Tajima has taken steps to improve roads and other transportation systems to Kobe and Himeji and also revitalize production activity.

Tanba :

In the Tanba region to the East, the primary industry is truck farming to the urban markets in the South. Like Tajima, Tanba is also improving its infrastructure. Tanba is also famous throughout Japan for its traditional ceramics and is flush with historical monuments dating from the Middle Ages.

Awaji :

Awaji Island is Hyogo's fifth district and one of the largest off-shore islands in Japan; less developed than the Southern coast, it is hilly and traffic to and from the mainland was restricted to sea travel until 1985 when the O-Naruto Bridge was completed linking the island to Shikoku. Now that the Akashi Strait Bridge is finished (completed in 1998), the island is directly linked to Honshu. Awaji's mild climate and fascinating natural beauty make it a popular area for tourism, sports, and recreation. The island is renown for its longstanding art of traditional folk puppetry.