Himeji Castle

Himeji Castle is the best preserved castle in Japan with a very important military defense function in history. It is also a representative of Japanese wooden construction from the 17 century. Since the castle is like a majestic bird spreading its wings and its wall is white, the castle is nicknamed "Egret City". The castle is listed as a World Heritage Site and designated as a national treasure of Japan. During cherry blossom season, the castle is one of the most beautiful sights in Japan.

See more: 10 Best Day Trips from Osaka

Main Keep in Himeji Castle

Top Things to Do in Himeji Castle 

Climb the Main Keep to Overlook Himeji City

Himeji Castle consists of 78 buildings, and Main Keep is the most representative building. The building has 6 floors, and the stairs get narrower and steeper as you climb higher. Each floor has display boards to introduce the internal wooden structure of the Main Keep, and you can see the miniaturized landscape of Himeji Castle and surrounding buildings. The third floor of the building is fantastic; countless pillars and curved channels make the floor look like a maze that could well prevent the invasion of the enemies in the past. If you do not have a map displaying the internal layout, it is easy to get lost there. Besides, there is a small shrine inside the Main Keep, which enshrines the god protecting Himeji City. By the way, you need to take off your shoes when entering the Main Keep in order to protect wooden floors; but you can wear free indoor slippers, and please be careful when climbing the castle with slippers. It provides plastic bags for you to hold your shoes.

Cityscape of Himeji

Shrine in the Main Keep

Take a Boat to View Himeji Castle 

Boat tours along the inner moat of Himeji Castle are offered, generally from 9:00 to 17:00 and taking about 30 minutes. When taking the boat, you can wear a special bamboo hat, a kind of fishermen's traditional daily dress that can keep out the rain and the sun. The boat tour costs 1,000 yen.

Appreciate Cherry Blossoms 

More than 1,000 cherry trees are scattered around the beautiful castle. During the cherry blossom season in March and April, pink and white cherry blossoms decorate the castle beautifully and the number of visitors to the castle is the largest in a year. At that time, the number of people allowed to board the castle will be limited. It is advised to visit the castle before noon. Ote Gate is the main entrance of Himeji Castle, and it is the entrance to visit the Sanomaru, which is a free lawn in the Himeji Castle and hosts many cherry trees.

Western Bailey

Visit Western Bailey to Know about the Lives of Japanese Women

Western Bailey is located on the west of Main Keep, and it was the living place of city master's wife and concubine or used by them to receive guests when there was no war. You are able to learn daily lives of Japanese women in the past. Besides, there are many cherry trees around Western Bailey.

Tips

1. The castle provides English guided tours, and you can consult the information center for details.
2. Smoking, drinking, and eating are forbidden in the Main Keep. 
3. You need to walk for about 15 minutes from the Castle Entrance to the Main Keep. It is a tough thing to climb Main Keep, save energy in advance.
4. Don't use drones!

Opening Time

It is open from 9:00 to 17:00, and visitors are not allowed to enter the castle after 16:00. December 29 and 30 are not open for visiting.

Ticket

1,000 yen. The combo is 1,050 yen, containing Koko-en Garden and Himeji Castle.

Kind Reminder: After purchasing the Himeji Castle ticket, remember to get a queueing number for the Main Keep.

Recommended Visit Time 

About 2 hours.

How to Get to Himeji Castle

From Shin Osaka 

You can take JR Shinkansen Nozomi and get off at Himeji Station, then walk for about 15 minutes. The whole single way takes about 1.5 hours.

From Kansai International Airport

You can take ship at Kansai Airport Port Terminal, and get off at Kobe Airport Kaijo Access Terminal. Next, change to Kobe New Transit Port Island Line, and get off at Sannomiya Station. Finally, change to JR Kobe Line Special Rapid, and get off at Himeji Station. It takes about 2.5 hours from Kansai International Airport to Himeji Castle.

More Things to Do Around Himeji Castle

1. Visit Kokoen Garden

Kokoen Garden is next to the Himeji Castle and is a traditional Japanese garden, consisting of nine different courtyards, like the bamboo garden, flowers garden, flatly landscaped garden, and pain trees garden. These gardens ensure visitors to see beautiful scenery in any season. Besides, you can see the Himeji Castle from the garden. 

Opening Time: From January to April and September to December, it is open from 9:00 to 17:00. From May to August, it is open from 9:00 to 18:00.

Admission Fee: 310 yen

Kokoen Garden

Plum Blossom

2. Visit Himeji City Zoo

The zoo is located north of the Himeji Castle, and you can see elephants, giraffes, polar bears, cavia porcellus, and so on. It is open from 9:00 to 17:00 and the ticket is 210 yen.