From feudalism to modernity
This area around the Harima Sea, which developed as a transportation hub in the direction of Kyoto, is of historical importance to Japan. Himeji Castle, the cornerstone of the protection of the area and a jewel of feudal architecture, enjoyed a dominant position on the Harima Plain, giving the town of Himeji a decisive importance. For today's visitor, stepping on the stones leading to the heart of the castle is a striking experience and a one-way trip to discover the Japanese feudal era. The labyrinthine construction of this building, combined with ingenious ideas, is an invaluable testimony to the war architecture of the time. Himeji, as a prosperous city facing the sea, at the crossroads of the roads to other major cities, soon developed its industry and its population grew steadily. It soon specialized in textile and metal production. To the north of the city is, for example, Sayō, in the Nishi-Harima region, where the "tatara" iron forge has prospered since antiquity. "Tatara" is a term that refers to the foot bellows used to fan the embers during ironworking, although it was later used to refer to the entire furnace or even the entire plant. This technique lasted until about 1925 in Japan. Even today, one can still appreciate several testimonies of this very important artisanal past in this part of Kansai. Unfortunately, over time, the Harima Sea, which was famous for fishing, has become depleted in fish resources due to environmental pollution caused by the industrialization of its coastline. Rising to the top of Mount Shosha, the Shoshazan Temple Engyō-Ji, a large complex founded in 966 by the sacred Buddhist monk, Shōkū Shōnin. This high place of pilgrimage, with its more than 1,000 years of history, is also an important testimony to the religious influence of the Harima Nada region. Within the complex are the five mausoleums of the Honda family, lords of Himeji. A contemporary anecdote, it was here that scenes from the film The Last Samurai with Tom Cruise were shot. Engyo-ji Temple, the 27th of the 33 pilgrimage temples in western Japan, welcomes many pilgrims and hikers throughout the year and is particularly visited during the cherry blossom season at the beginning of April, as well as in autumn, for the warm colors of this beautiful season. To the east of Harima Nada is the modern Kobe, which never hesitates to reveal traces of the region's rich past, as evidenced by the Takenaka Carpentry Tool Museum, the only museum of its kind in Japan. At a time when many tools are becoming scarce in this modern world of galloping technology, this museum seeks to preserve the world of craftsmanship and pass it on to current generations.
A rich region open to the world
While the region prospered in ancient times due to its location along the Saigoku Kaidō, the road to Kyoto, the modern era has seen this part of Kansai, between Harima Nada and Hanshin, turn to the foreign and the world, developing as an attractive and welcoming area, incorporating many international cultures. The Kitano neighborhood in Kobe is a typical example of this. At the foot of Mount Rokko, the European visitor will be surprised to discover some twenty old diplomatic residences in Western style, such as Kazamidori No Yakata, a red brick house that once belonged to a wealthy German merchant. Some of them are classified as Important Cultural Properties of Japan. The Nada district is another testimony to the richness of the region. This Mecca of sake production in Japan is a must for visitors who want to know more about this Japanese alcohol. The Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum and its self-guided tour offers a beautiful approach and an interesting vision of this world so traditional and sometimes so mysterious for international tourists. It is also possible to taste and shop in the various breweries scattered throughout the streets of Nada, and it is regularly possible to appreciate the work of the producers in winter and the craftsmen in the making of the wooden barrels throughout the year. But Kobe is also an actor of its time with breathtaking modern constructions such as the Akashi Bridge Kaikyō, the longest suspension bridge in the world at 3911 meters. And since we are in Japan, the onsen are never far away. These hot baths are ideal at the end of an itinerary. The Harima Nada region is no exception to the rule with, for example, Arima Onsen, coiled up behind Mount Rokko and Ako Onsen, facing the Seto Inland Sea.
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