Himeji



Himeji (姫路) is a city near the western edge of the Kansai region of Japan, which has a World Heritage castle.

Understand
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; props from these films, including "The Last Samurai," can be found in the JR station information center.

Tourist information site
Visit Himeji is the city's official multilingual guide site.

By plane

 * Kansai International Airport ( is 126 km southeast of Himeji and is the closest major international airport. Airport Limousine Buses operate every 1-2 hours between the airport and Himeji station (2 hr 20 min, ¥3300 one-way/¥5150 round-trip). More expensive, but free for users of the Japan Rail Pass, is to take the JR Haruka limited express to Shin-Osaka and transfer to the shinkansen (1 hr 45 min, ¥5020). It's also possible to buy a one-day JR Kansai Area Pass (¥2300) to reach Himeji in around 2 hours using a combination of the Haruka and the Special Rapid Service.
 * Osaka Itami International Airport ( is 85km east of Himeji. Buses operate eight times per day between the airport and Himeji station (1 hr 20 min, ¥2160). If you can't catch a direct bus, take a bus to Shin-Osaka instead (25 min, ¥500) and change to the JR line (1 hr, ¥1490 by Special Rapid Service, or 30 min, ¥3220 by shinkansen).
 * Kobe Airport ( is 65km southeast of Himeji, but has fewer flight options than the airports in Osaka. To reach Himeji, take the Port Liner to Sannomiya and change to the JR Special Rapid Service (75 min, ¥1300).

By train
Himeji is along the Sanyo Shinkansen Line (山陽新幹線) from Osaka and Kobe to Okayama and Hiroshima. The Sakura and Hikari offer frequent service to Himeji within the Sanyo region, as do the all-stopping Kodama trains. Since the station is elevated, it is possible to see Himeji Castle from a passing train.

From Tokyo, one Nozomi train per hour runs through to Himeji (3 hr, ¥16160), otherwise you have to change at Shin-Osaka. If you have a Japan Rail Pass, there is also one Hikari train departing each hour, running through to Himeji, which you can take at no charge (3 hr 40 min).

The overnight Sunrise Izumo/Sunrise Seto from Tokyo stops at Himeji. If you have a Japan Rail Pass, you can book a carpeted floor space at no charge; otherwise you can travel in a compartment or room by paying the applicable room fee and surcharges.

An inexpensive method of reaching Himeji from within the Kansai region is to take one of the frequent Shinkaisoku (新快速 - Special Rapid) commuter trains on the JR Kobe line (JR 神戸線) that begins in Osaka, which charges only the price of a local train. The ride takes 38 min from Kobe's Sannomiya station (¥950) or 57 min from Osaka (¥1450).

From Kyoto, the Hikari bullet train whisks travelers to Himeji in about an hour (¥5270). This trip can be taken without charge by Japan Rail Pass holders. Otherwise the local train (Special Rapid Service) reaches Himeji in around 1 hr 30 min (¥2270).

Northwest of the JR station is Sanyo Himeji, which is operated by the private Sanyo Railway. Kansai's Hanshin Railway offers direct express services to Sanyo Himeji every 10-20 minutes, with journey times of 1 hr 40 min from Osaka Umeda (¥1280) and 70 min from Kobe Sannomiya (¥960). These private lines are much slower than the JR, but are an option for those holding passes such as the 2 or 3-day Kansai Thru Pass. Discounted one-day passes include the Hanshin and Sanyo Seaside Ticket from Osaka (¥2000) and the Sannomiya-Himeji One Day Ticket from Kobe (¥1400).



By bus
Himeji is served by a few overnight buses from Tokyo. The fastest is the Keio Bus/Shinki Bus overnight service which is timetabled at 8 hr 30 min from the Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal and 8 hr from Shibuya. Fares start at ¥8700 each way (¥7400 with advance purchase). Willer Express also offers an overnight run departing Tokyo Station (10 hr 20 min, starting from ¥5800) and Tokyo Disneyland.

By foot
For a large number of travelers who just want to visit Himeji Castle, Kokoen Garden, and/or some of the city's museums, you can reach the castle by walking straight for 15-minutes down Otemae-dōri from Himeji Station. To explore the city beyond the castle vicinity, it will be difficult to accomplish on foot, so consider other options.

By Sightseeing Loop Bus
Shinki Bus operates Sightseeing Loop Bus (¥190; one day pass \400), which makes a loop around the cultural area, starting at Himeji Station, with stops near the castle, garden, and museums.

By city bus
City buses operate to sights far from the castle, such as Engyō-ji Temple.

See








Parks

 * For families in particular, the park behind Himeji castle offers a decent play structure and ample space to sit down and have a picnic in the shadow of Japan's most famous castle.
 * For families in particular, the park behind Himeji castle offers a decent play structure and ample space to sit down and have a picnic in the shadow of Japan's most famous castle.

Festivals and events

 * Cherry Blossom Viewing Party, usually around the second Sunday in April. Lots of koto and taiko drumming.
 * Yukata Matsuri - mid June, runs 2-3 days. Locals criticize this festival for having no roots or real reason to exist other than an opportunity for girls to dress up in summer yukata, eat delicious food from booths, and play fair games. Which is a good enough reason to go. This festival is always packed and makes for great people-watching, as many kinds of Japanese subcultures are on display.
 * Oshiro Matsuri - early august. A large parade down the main street ending at Himeji castle. There is also a big stage to see lots of dancing, which can range from either very traditional to very hip. Often it's a combination of the two.
 * Moon viewing - in September near the time of the Harvest moon. Features traditional plays and drums.
 * Nada Matsuri
 * Aboshi Matsuri

Buy
Himeji isn't particularly famous for crafts or goods. Wind chimes made of iron tongs and white leather accessories are popular higher-end Himeji souvenirs, and they can be bought in many of the department stores or along the Miyuki dori shopping arcade. There are also numerous shops along the route to the castle selling a variety of Himeji Castle and other assorted souvenirs. Additionally, the streets in the area surrounding Himeji Station are filled with shopping arcades (particularly Miyuki dori) and the usual department stores (there are several lining the way to the Castle, including Sanyo, Forus, and Yamatoyashiki.)


 * Himeji Ceramics market - in autumn

Eat
As you exit the station facing the castle (North), the main shopping street (Miyuki dori) will be on your right and the main entertainment area on your left. Both areas have some fine restaurants. Himeji has a full selection of foods, from fast food (Western and Japanese) to gourmet dining. For breakfast there are countless coffee shops, including a Starbucks that has small waffles.

Bars
Bars tend to be frequented mostly by foreigners living in the city.



Cafes

 * Starbucks, on level 4 of the Piole shopping centre next to the station, has views down the street to the castle.

Sleep
There are many hotels near the train station. Another possibility is to sleep in Kakogawa, and prolong your trip into the country side of Hyogo.

Go next

 * Okayama is 50 km west and includes, the brooding black Crow Castle, and the lovely Korakuen Garden, one of Japan's Top 3 gardens.
 * Kurashiki, near Okayama, is famous for its large Bikan Historic District with many well-preserved buildings from the Edo Period, as well as the famous Ohara Museum of Art which contains a large number of works by the most famous European artists.
 * Tsuyama, a quiet town with rich history, is famous for Kakuzan Park, a great place for cherry blossom viewing, Joto Street, and the beautiful Shurakuen Garden.
 * Bizen features museums that display the history of Japanese sword making and pottery and Bizen pottery and swords are renowned throughout Japan as being of the best quality since ancient times.
 * Kobe is a port city, with the scenic Harborland and Meriken Park around the port and also has theHanshin-Awaji Earthquake Memorial Museum to learn more about the 1995 earthquake and how the city dealt with it.
 * Takarazuka is home to Japan's all-female theater troupe, the Takarazuka Revue but the plays are well-done and the actresses are so convincing, you may forget that the male characters are not really men. The city also home to the Osamu Tezuka Manga Museum, which features works from all of his most famous manga.
 * Fukusaki is a small town 30 minutes north of Himeji, on the Bantan line train. The birthplace of famous author Kunio Yanagita, which can be visited for free; Fukusaki boasts many great restaurants, small shrines and shops, in a relaxed rural setting.
 * Kakogawa, 10 minutes by train to the west, is a relaxed city to have a break.