2025 KCJS Travel Log: Kobe, Himeji, Asagiri
旅に行こう：神戸、姫路、朝霧
Another amazing component of KCJS summer is their funded individual/duo travel program. About halfway through the program, we had a long weekend break with an option of traveling to nearby cities and prefectures alone or with a friend, with the program providing funds of ¥25,000 for accommodation and travel fees. These add up when traveling with a friend, so I partnered up with a friend from my section and decided to explore the two nearby cities of Kobe and Himeji.
Right after classes ended that Thursday, we retrieved our suitcases from the underground station lockers and subwayed to Kyoto station. Taking the JR Kyoto Line, we arrived in Sannomiya Station in Kobe a little over an hour later. After checking into our hotel, we began our first evening in Kobe with KIITO, the local design and creative center, which included museums on the history of manufacturing in Kobe as well as a huge catalog of design magazines focused on typography. After that, a 15-minute walk brought us to the piers, and I began to realize how underrated Kobe really was. The breeze from the ocean made me forget about Kyoto’s sweltering, sauna-like conditions, and the city wasn’t crowded at all. Highly recommend checking out the nearby Atoa Aquarium and Meriken Park, as live band performances happen often.
On day two, we took the JR Kobe line to Himeji, a city known for its castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site that is widely considered to be one of Japan’s most beautiful and well-preserved castles. Surely enough, the White Heron Castle did not disappoint. Climbing to its top provided a great view of the city as each floor contained information on the castle’s history and architectural genius. Just watch your step when climbing the steep staircases both up and down.
Our travels concluded at Asagiri, a quiet beachtown tucked along the coast between Himeji and Kobe that hadn’t been on our original itinerary. We decided to stop by on a whim and enjoyed the white sands, walking along the shoreline, relaxing our fatigued limbs while watching local students playing beach volleyball.
Looking back, this short trip gave me a real taste of how convenient transportation in Japan can be. From navigating JR lines to hopping between major cities and unexpected stops, everything felt seamless, especially once I grew confident using Japanese to ask for directions, read signs, and purchase tickets. So when you have the chance, please find time to escape from the major tourist attractions and hotspots, and just hop on a train. I was also especially grateful for KCJS covering all our expenses during this journey. For those curious, the amount I spent came to about ¥24,700.