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- Top Sights
- Good Eats
- Shopping
- Transportation
Himeji's Top Sights
Embark on an enchanting journey through Himeji's top sites. With its diverse array of attractions, Himeji promises an unforgettable experience for every traveler.
We've highlighted all the attractions we visited and adored with the universal symbol of love, ♡.
- Himeji Castle: ♡ Himeji Castle, also known as the White Heron Castle, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Renowned for its stunning white plaster exterior and elegant design, Himeji Castle is one of the finest surviving examples of Japanese castle architecture from the feudal period. It is also Japan's largest castle. Construction on the current castle began in 1601 and lasted until 1609. It survived both the bombing of Himeji during World War II and an earthquake in 1995. Himeji Castle features intricate wooden construction, defensive fortifications, and expansive grounds. The castle is a very popular tourist destination and the most visited castle in Japan. In order to avoid crowds, we recommend visiting on a weekday. Admission cost, opening hours, and additional information can be found here.
- Kōko-en Garden: ♡ Kōko-en Garden is a beautifully landscaped traditional Japanese garden located next to Himeji Castle. Built in 1992 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Himeji municipality, Kōko-en Garden comprises nine separate, themed gardens, each showcasing different styles and elements of traditional Japanese garden design. The gardens were beautiful, even in wintertime, with features like tea houses, koi ponds, waterfalls, and seasonal flora. The garden provides a peaceful and serene atmosphere, making it an ideal complement to a visit to Himeji Castle. A combo ticket is available should you want to visit both Himeji Castle and the Kōko-en Garden.
- Shoshazan Engyoji Temple: Shoshazan Engyoji Temple, commonly referred to as Engyo-ji Temple, is a historic Buddhist temple located on Mount Shosha in Himeji. Founded in 966 AD, Engyo-ji Temple is renowned for its serene atmosphere, beautiful natural surroundings, and well-preserved architecture. The temple complex consists of multiple buildings spread across the mountainside, including the main hall, pagodas, and meditation halls. Engyo-ji Temple gained international recognition after being featured in the film "The Last Samurai," further adding to its allure as a cultural and historical destination. To reach the temple from Himeji Station or Himeji Castle, it is best to take a public bus or the ropeway. Additional information can be found here.
- Himeji City Museum of Art: The Himeji City Museum of Art is a prominent cultural institution showcasing a diverse collection of artwork, including both Japanese and international pieces. The museum features rotating exhibitions of paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and other forms of visual art from various periods and genres. The permanent collection includes pieces by renowned artists such as Rodin, Antoine Bourdelle, and Paul Delvaux.
- Hyogo Prefectural Museum of History: The Hyogo Prefectural Museum of History is a museum dedicated to showcasing the history and culture of Hyogo Prefecture. The museum features exhibits that cover various aspects of the region's history, including its ancient origins, feudal era, modern development, and cultural heritage. One of the museum's more popular exhibits showcases the anatomy of Himeji Castle and details the reconstruction work of the castle that has taken place over the years.
A Taste of Himeji
Himeji offers a variety of delicious culinary offerings, with some regional specialties worth trying during your visit.
Specialty Foods
Himeji is known for several delicious local specialties:- Himeji Oden: A hot pot dish featuring various ingredients like fish cakes, tofu, and vegetables simmered in a savory broth.
- Himeji Beef: A high-quality beef produced in the Himeji area. Raised with meticulous care and attention to diet and breeding, Himeji Beef cattle are typically of the Tajima breed, the same breed used for Kobe beef. Himeji beef is often enjoyed as grilled steak or in traditional Japanese dishes like sukiyaki and shabu-shabu.
- Fresh Seafood: Himeji is known for its fresh seafood, including "anago" (saltwater eel), which is often served sashimi-style, tempura, or grilled.
- Karinto Manju: A popular sweet treat consisting of steamed buns filled with a sweet red bean paste.
Popular Restaurants
Himeji is full of restaurants serving a variety of cuisines. Looking for other restaurant suggestions in Himeji? Check out the links below.
Shopping in Himeji
Himeji offers a unique shopping experience that blends traditional crafts with modern finds. Here are some areas for shopping in Himeji:
Miyuki Street: A covered shopping street next to Himeji Station, Miyuki Street offers a mix of shops selling traditional goods, modern clothing, and food.
Piole Himeji: A shopping mall located near Himeji Station and Himeji Castle, Piole Himeji offers a large assortment of shops from both local and international brands, food, and more.
Himeji Castle Souvenir Shop: The Himeji Castle souvenir shop offers a variety of unique and traditional items for visitors to commemorate their visit to this iconic landmark. Visitors can find locally made crafts, traditional Japanese souvenirs, and snacks or sweets unique to the region.
Himeji-Specific Souvenirs
Tama Tsubaki: Tama Tsubaki is a traditional confectionery treat from Himeji. It consists of small, red bean paste wrapped in a sweet rice dough (not too dissimilar from mochi). The name "Tama Tsubaki" roughly translates to "round camellia," reflecting the shape of the treat.
Local Sake: Sake from Himeji is highly regarded for its quality and craftsmanship. The sake produced in Himeji ranges from fragrant and light to rich and full-bodied, catering to various tastes and preferences. Looking for more information about sake from Himeji? Check out this link.
Karinto Crackers: Karinto crackers are a traditional Japanese snack made from deep-fried dough coated in a sweet syrup, typically flavored with brown sugar and soy sauce. The dough is cut into bite-sized pieces before frying, resulting in crispy crackers with a sweet and savory taste. We bought a package of karinto crackers at the Himeji Castle Gift Shop and devoured them on the train ride back to Osaka!
Getting to/from Himeji
Both Kyoto and Osaka are conveniently connected to Himeji by Shinkansen, making it a straightforward journey, and a great city to visit for the day.
From Kyoto to Himeji (Train):
Shinkansen: Take the Shinkansen from Kyoto Station to Himeji Station. The journey takes approximately 44-68 minutes. Train tickets can be purchased in advance using the Tokaido Sanyo Kyushu Shinkansen Online Reservation Service. Route options, departure times, and fares are also available to view on the reservation service website.
JR Kyoto Line: Alternatively, you can take the JR Kyoto Line from Kyoto Station to Himeji Station. The journey takes approximately 95-100 minutes. Train tickets do not need to be purchased in advance and can be purchased at the station. To see route options, departure times, and fares, visit the JR West website.
From Osaka to Himeji (Train):
JR Kobe Line: From Osaka Station, take the JR Kobe Line to Himeji Station. The journey takes approximately 62 minutes. Tickets do not need to be purchased in advance and can be bought at the station. To see route options, departure times, and fares, visit the JR West website.
Shinkansen: Alternatively, you can take the Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station to Himeji Station. (This is the route we chose to get between Osaka and Himeji.) The journey takes approximately 30 minutes. Train tickets can be purchased in advance using the Tokaido Sanyo Kyushu Shinkansen Online Reservation Service. Route options, departure times, and fares are also available to view on the reservation service website.
Hanshin Main Line: Alternatively, you can take the Hanshin Main Line from Hanshin Osaka-Umeda Station to Sanyo Himeji Station (which happens to be next to Himeji Station). The journey takes anywhere from 95-112 minutes. Train tickets do not need to be purchased in advance and can be purchased at the station. To see route options, departure times, and fares, visit the Japan Travel by Navitime.
When planning your trip, it's advisable to check the latest train schedules for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Getting Around Himeji
Himeji is a relatively compact city with many of its attractions located within walking distance of each other, especially around Himeji Castle and the city center. The castle itself is clearly visible from Himeji Station and just a short walk away.
Walking: The city is pedestrian-friendly, and walking is an excellent way to explore Himeji, especially around Himeji Castle, where many of the main attractions are located. We found walking was the best way for us to get around since many of the sites that we planned on visiting were near one another and not too far from Himeji Station.
Buses: Himji has an extensive bus network that connects various parts of the city. Buses are useful for reaching attractions that are a bit farther from the central area.
Taxi: Taxis are available in Himeji and can be convenient for reaching specific destinations quickly, especially if you're traveling with luggage or in a group.
