Nishinomiya: A Bustling, Upbeat City
The city of Nishinomiya, Japan in Honshu, sits at the mouth of the Muko River on the Inland Sea. The city is an important commercial and shipping locality in the Kansai region and it has the third largest population in its prefecture. Nishinomiya is likewise famous for its fine sake. Most of its coastal areas are allotted to industries like metal, chemicals, and cosmetics. The city also boasts of an excellent railway and road connections for easy access to other nearby urban areas.
Best Time to Visit
Although visitors may drop by Nishinomiya any time of the year, the best period to go would be from early April to end of June but the bulk of tourist arrivals happen in May, October and March notwithstanding the heftier rates for hotels in the area. The Ebisu Festival held annually in January is another reason people troop to Nishinomiya particularly its shrine to pray for success in business and Nishinomiya hotels offer more expensive rates but are still filled to capacity during this period.
What to Do & Area Attractions
The well-maintained and beautiful Nishinomiya Shrine is a must-visit when in town. So are the ruins around the Akashi Castle complex and the Nishinomiya Kitayama Botanical Garden which has a greenhouse, extensive flower collections, and striking and stately cherry trees. One of the fine hotel choices within the city is Toyotaya Hostel, a no-frills lodgings with Japanese-style rooms. The modest Hotel Ritz Koshien is walking distance to important landmarks while Hotel Koshien is a modern hotel with relaxed rooms and is only a 5-minute walk from the nearest train station.