Himeji Castle: Everything You Need Before Visiting

Overview

Things to do

Hotels

4.9 /5

10K+ reviews

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RICHARD **********

2 Nov 2025

this is the very first time that we booked this kind of service. this is aint cheap but worth the money. the driver is professional and on time. he picked us up from our hotel and drop us again in the same location in the evening. the vehicle is clean and comfortable. we communicated to the driver via viber. we really enjoyed this day in Kyoto and Nara. i will booked this again the next time I have guests who wanted to visit Kansai.

Klook会員

30 Oct 2025

The hotel was conveniently located near the train station, making it easy to go out for dinner. It was also close to Himeji Castle, so I could take a walk after dinner and see the illuminated castle. Amenities were available at the front desk, and you could take what you needed. I especially liked the soft toothbrush. Overall, the room was clean.

Klook 用戶

28 Oct 2025

I planned my own day trip from Osaka to Awaji Island with a private car, and since Awaji Island is part of Hyogo Prefecture and quite a distance away, the car rental company was very considerate and upgraded our vehicle, making the whole trip very comfortable! The driver's skills were excellent, and at each attraction, they thoughtfully got out of the car to help open doors and load/unload luggage. They also helped estimate travel times. 10 hours felt like just the right amount of time, and we visited Awaji Hanasaki Garden, Izanagi Shrine, the Great Naruto Bridge Memorial Hall, and took a whirlpool sightseeing boat tour at Naruto Strait. We also got to try the Happy Pancakes and Awaji Wagyu beef burger~ I was very satisfied~ Highly recommend it!

劉 **

25 Oct 2025

I booked this day trip for my family, and they were very satisfied with the itinerary. The tour guide was talkative and responsible. They kept praising the tour guide after returning to their accommodation😆

Klook User

21 Oct 2025

Rina was an incredible guide!! This was our first time having a guided tour in Japan and it was phenomenal. Himeji Castle has such a rich history and so many details that are easily overlooked/not covered in the standard guidebook provided by Himeji. She was a lot of fun to talk to and answered all questions we had. I think if you're also in a time crunch, a guided tour is the way to go because you'll really see the "meat" of Himeji Castle efficiently. I also appreciated that she showed us excellent, uncommon photo spots! The garden tour was fantastic and she told us much about the symbolism of many plants in the garden. Because of Rina, we will definitely be coming back to Himeji!!! I can't thank her enough for such a wonderful experience.

Chin *************

20 Oct 2025

Had a great time on the Himeji Castle, Arima Onsen, and Mount Rokko Day Trip on October 18. Our guide, Nick-san, made the entire experience engaging and fun — mixing humor with insightful stories about each destination. The highlight was Himeji Castle, where we got to explore the original wooden interior and learn how its design reflected defensive strategy and craftsmanship. The trip was well-paced, and the bus ride was smooth and comfortable. Arima Onsen offered a calm, relaxing stop, with Nick-san providing interesting background about the area’s history. Mount Rokko was unfortunately covered in mist, but Nick-san showed a photo of what the night view looks like on a clear day, which led to a funny moment when some of us took pictures beside it instead. Despite the fog, the trip was well-organized and memorable. Highly recommended for first-timers, couples, and families wanting a cultural and scenic day out.

Klook User

15 Oct 2025

our guide HARRY was superb! He was with us all the way of the tour. He greatly explained the history of Himeji Castle and was very clear on the tour’s schedule. We truly enjoyed the tour. Way to go Harry! You earned 5 stars from both my partner and me. Highly recommended! From T & A.

Hi **

14 Oct 2025

A great experience! A jovial & polite tour guide, Harry who was very well versed in English & Mandarin. He gave proper & clear instructions & always ensured that the headcount was correct. Highly recommended!

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Himeji Castle (Himeji-jo), or White Heron Castle, is one of Japan’s most well-preserved castles in Himeji City. It's famous for its size and white exterior that looks like a bird in flight. When you visit, explore the castle grounds, admire the historic stone walls, and check out the impressive main building. If you're up for it, climb the steep stairs to the top for great views of the surrounding city. Don't forget to also visit during cherry blossom season in early April, when the castle's grounds are filled with over 1,000 cherry trees in bloom. As a national treasure and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is a must-see on your trip to Japan. Book your Himeji-jo tour today to experience this impressive castle!

Himeji Castle, 68, Onnazaka, Honmachi, Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan

Things to do in Himeji Castle

1. Main Keep

At the heart of the Himeji Castle complex is the main keep, a six-story wooden structure with wing buildings, making it unique in Japan. As you go up the castle, each floor gets smaller. The top floor shows a small shrine and stunning views of the city of Himeji, where you can see intricate details like fish-shaped roof ornaments believed to ward off fire.

2. Koko-en Garden

Next to the castle grounds, you'll find Koko-en Garden, a beautiful Japanese garden where you can feel a sense of peace with its ponds, tea houses, and seasonal flowers. It's the perfect peaceful retreat to complement your visit to the castle.

3. Hishi Gate

The Hishi Gate is the first of the castle's 21 remaining gates, highlighting the castle's detailed defensive design in its stone walls.

4. Boat rides

One of Himeji's three original moats still exists today, known as the inner moat, or goku-bori. You can explore the majestic Himeji Castle by taking a boat ride on Saturdays, Sundays, or public holidays for 1,000 yen per ride. There are typically 10 rides available each day, but don't forget to enter through the Hishi Gate to access the moat.

Popular Areas near Himeji Castle

1. Shiromidai Park

Just southwest of Himeji Castle, you'll find Shiromidai Park. It has two 1.9-meter shachihoko---statues that look like they have a lion's head on a fish's body. These are replicas of the ones on top of the castle. It's a fun spot to take photos, with Himeji-jo Castle in the background.

2. Sannomaru Hiroba

Close to the main part of Himeji Castle, Sannomaru Hiroba is a grassy area surrounded by cherry trees. In early April, these trees bloom with beautiful cherry blossoms. This is a great spot for taking amazing photos of the castle, especially when the blossoms are out.

3. Shirotopia Memorial Park

To the north of the castle, Shirotopia Memorial Park offers a peaceful break with its green fields and walking paths. You can see lots of seasonal flowers here, providing colorful views of the castle's northern side.

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