Departing from Kansai International Airport, this guide introduces how to smartly and easily travel around Kobe, Takarazuka, and the Tamba region using the JR-WEST RAIL PASS and the Kansai! Have Fun Pass. This article explains how to exchange and use the tickets while offering a deep travel plan, including hidden nightscape spots in Kobe, an immersive experience in the world of Osamu Tezuka’s manga, Tamba-yaki pottery workshops, gourmet dishes recommended by top hotel chefs, and charming old-house cafés.

Start Your Journey to Discover the Charms of Hyogo from Kansai Airport with the JR Kansai Area Pass

For those who prefer traveling around Kansai by train rather than by car and want a flexible rail pass, I highly recommend the JR Kansai Area Pass. This pass allows easy access to Osaka city via the Kansai Airport Express HARUKA and enables travel to major tourist destinations such as Kobe, Himeji, Nara, and Kyoto. The pass is available for 1, 2, 3, or 4 days and can be purchased by those holding a passport issued by a government outside Japan with a “Temporary Visitor” visa.

For this trip, I planned an itinerary visiting Takarazuka and Tamba Sasayama, returning to Kobe in the evening. This allows for a smooth journey using just a one-day pass.

How to Purchase and Exchange the Pass

・Purchase Methods:
You can buy the pass from overseas travel agencies outside Japan or reserve it through JR West’s online reservation service.

・Exchange Methods:
To exchange the pass, present the paper exchange voucher or e-ticket along with your passport and fill out an application form. The pass can also be exchanged at the Midori no Kenbaiki (Green Ticket Machine). The exchange process may vary depending on how you purchased the pass, so please check the official website for details.
For more information, visit the official website:
https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/ticket/pass/kansai/

Immerse Yourself in the World of Manga: THE OSAMU TAZUKA MANGA MUSEUM

Even if you haven’t watched classics like Astro Boy or Black Jack, you’ve likely heard of Osamu Tezuka, the "God of Manga." He spent about 20 years in Takarazuka, a crucial period when he collected insects and developed his creative skills.

At this memorial museum, visitors can explore exhibits designed like a spaceship, featuring precious original manuscripts and personal belongings of Tezuka. The museum also hosts three special exhibitions each year.

The viewing area houses manga translations from around the world, covering an entire wall. Since admission tickets allow unlimited re-entry within the same day, fans can immerse themselves in manga for as long as they like.

On the G floor, there's an animation production area where visitors can experience creating motion by drawing between two or five original frames on animation paper. This allows them to see how movements connect seamlessly.

For my experience, I chose to animate Unico (small unicorn with magical powers). Once completed, the staff scanned my animation, bringing it to life on the screen. The animation speed could even be adjusted, making me feel like a real animator for a moment!

I highly recommend using the Kansai! Have Fun Pass (Have Fun in Kansai 1 Week Free Pass). With this pass, you can enter the museum without paying the 700-yen admission fee (for adults) in cash and even receive a novelty gift!

Kansai! Have Fun Pass (Have Fun in Kansai 1 Week Free Pass)：

You can choose to visit 3 or 6 of your favorite facilities within a week from over 70 available options. Entry is hassle-free with an electronic ticket QR code, allowing you to skip long ticket purchase lines and save time.

Price: ¥4,500 for 3 facilities, ¥7,000 for 6 facilities. Tickets can be purchased through platforms like Klook and KKday.

PLACE: THE OSAMU TAZUKA MANGA MUSEUM
Address: 7-65 Mukogawa-cho, Takarazuka City, Hyogo
Access: About a 10-minute walk along "Hana no Michi" from JR or Hankyu Takarazuka Station
Opening Hours: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM (Last entry: 4:30 PM) Closed on Mondays
Official Website: https://www.city.takarazuka.hyogo.jp/tezuka/index.html

A Favorite of Takarazuka Revue Members! Sandwich Shop LE MANS

Near the Takarazuka Grand Theater, you’ll find LE MANS, a long-established handmade sandwich shop with over 50 years of history. Since its founding, it has been beloved by both locals and stars of the Takarazuka Revue.

The most popular item on the menu is the egg sandwich. Seeing it instantly whetted my appetite, and I found myself crouching in front of the showcase,

In the end, I opted for a luxurious assortment that included fruit, cutlet, vegetable, and egg sandwiches. The toast was soft and delicate, and each bite allowed me to savor the freshness of the ingredients.

PLACE: Sandwich LE MANS (Hana no Michi Selca Branch)
Address: 1-6 Sakaemachi, Takarazuka City, Hyogo, Hana no Michi Selca Building 2, 2nd Floor
Access: An 8-minute walk from Hankyu Takarazuka Station
Opening Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Last order: 4:30 PM) Closed on Mondays and on theater non-performance days
Official Website: http://www.takarazuka-lemans.com/

Visit the Home of Tamba Ware and Enjoy a One-of-a-Kind Encounter with Artisan Creations

For those who want to experience the cultural charm of Hyogo and the craftsmanship of local artisans, I highly recommend taking the JR Fukuchiyama Line (Takarazuka Line) from Takarazuka and getting off at Aino Station. From there, visit the Tamba Traditional Craft Park "Tachikui Sue no Sato" in Tamba-Sasayama City.

Tamba ware, one of Japan’s six ancient kilns, has a history of 850 years. While preserving traditional pottery techniques, artisans continuously challenge themselves to create new designs that suit modern needs. If you don’t have time to visit individual kilns, I suggest stopping by "Kamamoto Yokocho," which was newly renovated in 2024. Here, you can admire distinctive works from over 50 kilns, each with its unique artistic expression.

I personally purchased a yellow coffee cup set, which I now use to enjoy my morning coffee. Additionally, when you purchase an item, the staff includes a card introducing the kiln, allowing you to learn more about the artisans and their brands.

Try Pottery Making with Ease

The facility also offers pottery workshops, where you can register on-site without a prior reservation. Before starting, a short video explains the process, and you can choose between hand-building pottery or painting on pre-made ceramics. The required time and cost vary depending on the size of the piece you wish to create.

I decided to make my own tea bowl, and with the support of an artisan by my side, even as a beginner, I felt at ease throughout the process. After shaping the piece, I was able to decorate it using stamps and engravings. Since local artisans handle the final steps of firing and glazing, the final outcome remains a surprise until the finished piece is delivered—a part of the excitement! (Domestic shipping takes approximately two and a half months.)

PLACE: Tamba Traditional Craft Park "Tachikui Sue-no-Sato"
Address: 3 Kamitachikui, Kondacho, Tamba-Sasayama City, Hyogo Prefecture
Access: Get off at Aino Station on the JR Fukuchiyama Line and take a 15-minute taxi ride
Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Closed on Tuesdays)
Official Website: https://tanbayaki.com/

The Oldest Climbing Kiln of Tamba Ware

This climbing kiln boasts a history of over 100 years and is regarded as the oldest climbing kiln for Tamba ware. Its massive, tunnel-like, stepped structure showcases the traditional craftsmanship of Tamba ware. It has been registered as one of Japan’s heritage cultural properties. While the interior is generally not open for public viewing, simply observing its exterior allows visitors to appreciate its impressive scale.

PLACE: Tamba Tachikui Climbing Kiln
Address: 3-5 Kamitachikui, Kondacho, Tamba-Sasayama City, Hyogo

Savor Local Flavors in a Historic Setting at “Odagaki Shoten”

Odagaki Shoten is a historic specialty store dedicated to black soybeans, with a legacy of nearly 300 years. Even today, the shop continues to support the cultivation and sale of high-quality black soybeans in Tamba-Sasayama City. Not only does it take pride in its superior products, but the store, office, and even its traditional rental hotel building also stand as testaments to its enduring value across generations.

The Odagaki Mamedo Café, located within the store, offers a serene ambiance. The most sought-after seats are at the counter, which provides a breathtaking view of the rock garden, allowing guests to enjoy the changing scenery of the four seasons. I was fortunate to visit on a snowy day, sipping fragrant black soybean tea while admiring the delicate snowfall—a moment that allowed me to experience the essence of the space, designed by the contemporary artist Hiroshi Sugimoto.

A must-try is the Tamba Chestnut Mont Blanc, which features a generous amount of rich chestnut paste, combined with a crispy pie crust and a dense chestnut pound cake, offering two distinct textures in one dessert.

Another highly recommended dish is the Tamba Dainagon Zenzai, a traditional sweet red bean soup. With its mildly sweet taste, the large azuki beans are smooth and refined in texture, and when paired with glutinous rice mochi and chestnuts, this dish not only warms the body but also embodies the true essence of Japanese wagashi (traditional sweets).

PLACE: Odagaki Mamedo Café
Address: 19 Tatemachi, Tamba-Sasayama City, Hyogo
Access: Get off at JR Sasayamaguchi Station and take a 20-minute taxi ride
Opening Hours: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Last order at 4:00 PM)
(Closed on Thursdays)
Official Website: https://www.odagaki.co.jp/

Kobe Portopia Hotel: Enjoy Elegant Gourmet Cuisine with a Stunning Night View of Kobe

On the 30th floor of the hotel, you'll find "GOCOCU," a sky grill buffet restaurant where you can savor carefully prepared dishes while admiring the distant cityscape of Kobe's port town.

Particularly noteworthy are the freshly grilled, tender roast beef and the appetizing special curry rice, both of which are exceptionally delicious.

After satisfying your taste buds, head to the rooftop terrace, "Sorafune Kobe," on the top floor. From here, you can take in the dazzling neon-lit night view and watch airplanes take off and land up close. If you visit during the outdoor bar’s operating hours, you can enjoy a quiet drink and spend a romantic moment.

PLACE: Kobe Portopia Hotel
Address: 6-10-1 Minatojima-Nakamachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe
Access: Directly connected to Port Liner Shimin Hiroba Station
Breakfast: 7:00 AM – 10:30 AM (Last entry: 10:00 AM)
Lunch: 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM (Last entry: 2:30 PM) Weekends & holidays: until 3:30 PM (Last entry: 3:00 PM)
Dinner: 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM (Last entry: 8:30 PM) Weekends & holidays: 5:00 PM – 9:30 PM (Last entry: 9:00 PM)
Cocktail Time: 8:30 PM – 11:00 PM (Last order: 10:30 PM) Weekends & holidays: from 9:00 PM
Rooftop Terrace Sorafune Kobe requires a reservation for daytime visits.
Official Website:
https://www.portopia.co.jp/en/
https://www.portopia.co.jp/en/sorafune/

Summary

With the JR-WEST RAIL PASS, you can easily explore Takarazuka, a city with deep ties to the "God of Manga"; Tamba Sasayama, a place where traditional handmade specialties are preserved; and the vibrant city of Kobe—all in just one day. This journey is more than just sightseeing; it allows you to fully experience the cultural essence of different regions in Hyogo. If you feel like you haven't had enough, consider staying overnight, taking a break, and continuing your exploration of the hidden charms of Hyogo!

written by Miho