Hyogo

Hyogo faces three sea areas—the Sea of Japan, the Seto Inland Sea, and the Pacific Ocean—and has a diverse topography with vastly different climate zones in the San'in, San'yo, and Awaji Island areas. The Seto Inland Sea side has a low annual precipitation of about 1,100 to 1,300 mm, with a warm climate and long daylight hours, making it suitable for the open-field cultivation of onions and vegetables. The Tajima region on the Sea of Japan side experiences heavy snowfall in winter, forming a production area for highland vegetables and beans that utilize the day and night temperature difference in summer. Awaji Island combines a warm maritime climate with black volcanic ash soil (Kuroboku soil), providing an optimal environment for onion cultivation. In the Akashi and Kakogawa basins of the Harima Plain, agriculture has developed alongside the fisheries industry, and the tidal currents of the Akashi Strait nurture good-quality seafood. The Tamba region has many intermountain basins with elevations of about 300 to 600 m and is rich in mountain produce such as black beans, Tamba chestnuts, and matsutake mushrooms. The agricultural output value of the entire prefecture ranks high nationally, establishing its position as a major production area for diverse items in both agriculture and fisheries.

Source: MAFF Crop Statistics (Reiwa 5 / 2023), JMA historical weather data

The agriculture and fisheries industry in Hyogo is characterized by a "multi-layered structure of production areas." Awaji Island in the Seto Inland Sea produces vegetables (onions), off the coast of Akashi and Kakogawa in Harima produces seafood (Akashi tako (octopus) and Akashi tai (sea bream)), Tajima focuses on livestock (Tajima gyu), and Tamba provides mountain produce (black beans and chestnuts). The diversity of the prefecture's climate and topography directly links to the diversity of its agricultural and marine products. The structure of forming a prefecture-wide portfolio with multiple production area brands, rather than relying on a single representative item, has a diversification effect against climate change risks and market fluctuations. Kobe gyu, in particular, has widely influenced brand cattle in other prefectures as a pioneer of Japanese Black cattle brands. Kobe beef and Tajima gyu have received GI (Geographical Indication) protection registration from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, ensuring institutional protection of the production areas. The coexistence of multiple strong brands dispersed geographically is a structural feature of Hyogo's agriculture.