Himeji
East Asia · Japan
Did you know?
- Mount Shoshazan's temple complex traces its history back more than 1,000 years.
- The castle is a vast wooden landmark built in the late 1500s.
- A 15-minute walk leads from the station to the castle.
See also
Kobe
Japan34.69°N 135.20°E
Overview
Himeji is anchored by a grand wooden castle and the thousand-year-old temple complex on Mount Shoshazan. The station-to-castle walk, garden visits, museums, and regional rail links make it an efficient culture-focused stop.
Languages: Japanese
Why go?
Himeji's main attractions are its gorgeous castle, one of the largest wooden structures in the world, built in the late 1500s, and Mount Shoshazan, a temple with a history of over 1,000 years. Because of its picturesque old Japanese appearance, Himeji has been used for filming many Japanese and foreign movies, including 'The Last Samurai'.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Get around
Himeji Castle is an easy 15-minute walk north from the station. Buses are also available. For Engyō-ji Temple, take orange bus #8 from Himeji castle for 30 minutes, then the cable car. The Sanyo line serves Tegarayama.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
See
Himeji Castle (¥2,500 adults) is a must-see, open daily 09:00-17:00. Nearby Kōkoen Garden (¥400) offers beautiful Edo-period gardens. Other attractions include the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of History, Himeji City Museum of Art, Senhime Shrine with its castle view, and Engyō-ji Temple (¥500 entrance + ¥900 cable car). The Japan Toy Museum and the Historical Peace Center are also notable.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Buy
Himeji is not particularly famous for crafts. Popular souvenirs include wind chimes made of iron tongs and white leather accessories, available at department stores along Miyuki dori. There are many shops near the castle. The Himeji Ceramics market is held in autumn. For anime goods, visit Animate; for groceries, Bon Marche; shopping complexes include Festa, Grand Festa, Piole Himeji, and Sanyo Department Store.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Eat
As you exit the station facing the castle, the main shopping street (Miyuki dori) and entertainment area offer many restaurants. Options range from fast food (McDonald's, open 24 hours) to local favorites like Koba and More's Milk Ramen, and Sakura-saku, a vegetarian-friendly restaurant with a view of the castle offering a ¥1,000 set meal.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Sleep
There are many hotels near the train station. Budget options include Engakudou Guesthouse Hostel (dorm ¥2,500) and Himeji 588 Guesthouse Hostel (dorm ¥2,500). Business hotels like Toyoko Inn (double ¥8,000) and Hotel Nikko Himeji (¥10,000-15,000) are also available.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Go next
Nearby destinations include Okayama (Crow Castle, Korakuen Garden), Kurashiki (Bikan Historic District), Tsuyama (Kakuzan Park), Bizen (pottery and swords), Kobe (Harborland, Earthquake Museum), Takarazuka (Takarazuka Revue, Tezuka Manga Museum), Fukusaki (birthplace of Kunio Yanagita), and Kakogawa (a relaxed city).
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Field guide adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0. Text has been adapted and organized for this guide. About our sources.
Places to know
A few starting points from the guide. Check current hours and prices before you go.
- sleep
Engakudou Guesthouse Hostel
Old tiny but cosy house with tatami rooms and friendly owner.
Recorded price: Dormitory ¥2,500, double ¥3,000-3,500
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Himeji 588 Guesthouse Hostel
Traditional tatami rooms with futon and a shared bathroom and common space. The first floor has a small cafe that serves free coffee and tea. WiFi, bike rental and laundry services are available.
Recorded price: Dormitory ¥2,500, double ¥3,000-3,500
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Hotel Nikko Himeji
A pleasant hotel for the business traveler.
Recorded price: ¥10,000-15,000
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Toyoko Inn
Simple business hotel. Rooms are small, but the price includes internet in the room and Japanese-style breakfast.
Recorded price: Double ¥8,000
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Koba and More
A small ramen shop with a jazz theme that is famous among the local expat crowd for its unusual Milk Ramen. Koba is the owner and ramen chef.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
McDonald's
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Sakura-saku
Vegetarian-friendly restaurant (also a kind of greengrocer's) with nice open-air frontage and view of Himeji castle. You can get a fantastic veggie meal of (for example) rice with peas, tofu steak and pumpkin, pickles, soup, dessert with coffee, and all the green tea you can drink, all for ¥1000.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- see
Engyō-ji Temple
The beautiful temple complex founded in 966 is in the northern area of Himeji. This temple is best known among the locals as the setting for part of Tom Cruise's The Last Samurai. Mount Shosha, where the temple complex is located, is particularly beautiful in the fall, when the Japanese maples change colors.
Recorded price: ¥500 entrance + ¥900 cable car return trip
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
Before you go
Entry fee
Himeji Castle: ¥2,500 adults, free for children. Combination ticket with Kōkoen Garden: ¥2,600.
Hours
Castle open daily 09:00-17:00 (until 18:00 May-Aug), closed Dec 29-31. Last entry 1 hour before close.
Language
Japanese. Some English may be spoken at tourist spots and hotels.
Transport
Castle is a 15-minute walk from JR Himeji Station. Bus #8 to Engyō-ji Temple (30 min) plus cable car.