Photo: Nikos Kitsakis / CC BY-SA 4.0Checked · Researched, not yet visited · times from official timetables and our estimates · Takumi Yamada
Himeji Castle
The largest original castle in Japan: a white keep and its towers on a 46 m hill, a National Treasure and, since 1993, a World Heritage Site. 09:00–17:00, last entry 16:00; closed 29–30 December. ¥2,500 from age 18 for visitors from outside Himeji, under 18 free. The city sells timed tickets online and says same-day tickets may not be sold for some slots. Allow 90 to 120 minutes: the keep has steep, narrow stairs, no lift, and shoes come off. The same ticket covers the long corridor of the western bailey, the Nishi-no-maru; the city closes the windows of the keep and of the corridor in turn from 16:30, so on a late visit see the corridor first.
Taxi from Shikama Wharf No. 4, about 9 km, 30 min and ¥3,600–4,200 each way (our estimate); about 15 min on foot from Otemon-mae to the keepFull guide: Himeji CastleKoko-en
Nine walled gardens built on the site of the samurai houses west of the castle, with ponds and a tea house. 09:00–17:00, last entry 16:30; closed 29–30 December. Adult ¥400, under 18 free, or ¥2,600 with the castle.
Taxi about 30 min, about ¥3,600–4,200 (our estimate); about 20 min on foot from the castle keepGoogle MapsSannomaru Square
The free lawn in front of the castle, outside the paid area: the view of the keep without a ticket. Its cherry trees bloom in early April; the Japan Meteorological Agency’s normal for Kobe, the nearest station, is full bloom on 5 April.
Taxi about 30 min to Otemon-mae (our estimate); 10 min on foot from JR Himeji StationGoogle Maps
Lunch at Kassui-ken in Koko-en
The restaurant inside Koko-en, with Harima anago (conger eel) dishes. Open 10:00–16:30, meals 11:00–15:00, last order 15:30; closed 29–30 December. You pay the garden’s entry to reach it.
Inside Koko-en; taxi about 30 min from the quay (our estimate)Google MapsHyogo Prefectural Museum of History
The prefecture’s history museum, on the north-east edge of the castle grounds. 10:00–17:00, last entry 16:30; closed Mondays (open on a Monday holiday, closed the next weekday). The ground floor is free; the permanent exhibition upstairs is ¥200.
Taxi about 35 min, about ¥4,100 (our estimate); about 20 min on foot from the castle keepGoogle MapsEngyo-ji on Mount Shosha
A mountain temple founded in the Heian period, the 27th temple of the Saigoku pilgrimage, whose Maniden hall stands on tall pillars against the slope. Entry ¥800. The ropeway and the temple minibus are closed from 5 February to 28 October 2027; the temple stays open and gives 30 minutes to an hour on foot up the paths. When the ropeway runs, the Maniden is 15–20 minutes’ walk from the top station, and five or six minutes beyond it the Daikodo, Jikido and Jogyodo, three large wooden halls, stand round a gravel court in the woods. The temple puts the course to the main halls at about two hours on the mountain.
Taxi about 12 km to the ropeway base, about ¥5,700 (our estimate). Ropeway closed 5 Feb–28 Oct 2027: then 30 min to 1 hour on foot upFull guide: Engyo-ji on Mount ShoshaHimeji oden
Oden, the simmered fish cakes, eggs and radish, eaten with ginger soy sauce: the name Himeji oden was given in 2006, the habit is older. Himeji no Jizake to Himeji Oden Honpo in Piole Himeji serves it with local sake, 11:00–20:00, last order 19:45.
Piole Himeji at JR Himeji Station; taxi about 25 min, about ¥3,300 (our estimate)Google MapsEkisoba
Yellow Chinese-style noodles in Japanese broth, first sold on the Himeji platforms on 19 October 1949. Tempura ekisoba is ¥450. The up-platform stand opens 06:00–23:00 and the down-platform stand 06:00–20:00, every day; both are inside the ticket gates.
On the JR Himeji platforms; taxi about 25 min to the station (our estimate)Google Maps
