Sayo, Rural town in southwestern Hyogo Prefecture, Japan
Sayo is a town in southwestern Hyogo Prefecture situated within a river basin surrounded by mountains and dense forests. The landscape is dominated by woodland covering most of the area.
Rikan Castle was built by the Akamatsu clan during the Nanboku-cho period and later became a stronghold for the Ikeda clan. The castle ruins reflect shifts in local power during the feudal era.
The post town of Hirafuku-juku once served travelers moving between Kyoto, Osaka, and Inaba Province along the Inaba Kaido route. The place still reflects its role as a stopping point in regional trade and movement.
Visitors can arrive by the JR West Kishin Line or Chizu Express railway services. Road access is available through the Chugoku and Tottori Expressways for those driving.
SPring-8, one of the world's largest synchrotron facilities, operates in the area and supports research in materials science and medicine. The facility attracts scientists from around the globe.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.