honshu34.84° N, 134.69° E
Himeji
Himeji is a city in Hyogo, about forty-five minutes from Kyoto by Shinkansen, whose castle, called the White Heron for its white plaster walls, is a World Heritage Site and the largest of Japan's original castles.
Himeji Castle at evening
- Region
- Honshu
- Our journeys
- Created for you
Our tours stayA day on tourA Custom Tour of Japan
the place
The White Heron, standing over its walls since 1609.
The keep was completed in 1609 and has stood ever since, one of only twelve original castle keeps in Japan. The approach winds through a maze of gates, walls and turrets up to the six storeys of the main keep and its view across the city to the mountains. Below the western walls, Koko-en is a set of nine gardens laid out on the old samurai quarter, with a teahouse among them.
We plan Himeji as a Custom Tour of Japan, created around your party alone, often as a day on the way between Kyoto and Hiroshima. If you would rather travel independently, the Expert Japan Itinerary plans the days for you.
what we do here
Himeji, as we show it
The keep
Six storeys of white plaster and timber, and the city and mountains from the top.
The approach
A maze of gates and walls winding up the hill to the keep.
The keep, Himeji Castle Koko-en
Nine walled gardens below the castle, and tea in the pavilion.
Shosha
The temple of Engyo-ji in the forest on Mount Shosha, reached by ropeway.
questions
Questions about Himeji
How far is Himeji from Kyoto and Osaka?
About forty-five minutes from Kyoto and thirty from Osaka by Shinkansen.
Can Himeji be combined with Hiroshima?
Yes. Himeji lies on the Shinkansen between Kyoto and Hiroshima, and the Custom Tour of Japan can give it a day on the way.
Can you plan a private journey to Himeji?
Yes. The Custom Tour of Japan is created around your party alone, on your dates. If you would rather travel independently, the Expert Japan Itinerary plans the days for you.
Himeji, created for you alone.
The Custom Tour of Japan is created around your party alone, on your dates, and Himeji can be any part of it. If you would rather travel independently, the Expert Japan Itinerary plans every day for you.