Himeji
is Japan's most beautiful castle
Welcome to Himeji
Himeji (姫路), in Hyōgo Prefecture west of Kōbe, is on the map for one particular reason: it's home to Japan's biggest and best-preserved feudal-era castle, Himeji-jō. It's an easy day trip or stopover and well worth a visit.
Top experiences in Himeji
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Himeji activities
Himeji Castle and Akashi Kaikyo Bridge Tour from Osaka
Upon pickup at the Hotel Granvia Osaka in the morning, you’re transferred to Osaka station to board the JR Shinkansen (non-reserved seat). After the approximate 30-minute train ride, disembark with your guide at Himeji station for the short walk to UNESCO World Heritage-listed Himeji Castle.This national treasure is also called Shirasagi Castle (White Heron Castle) for its exterior walls that look like a flying white heron. Spend some time inside the castle and stroll outside around the grounds as you learn about the five-story complex, which dates back to the 14th century, from your knowledgeable guide. After your visit to the beautiful castle, you will enjoy a lunch buffet equipped with both Japanese and Western cuisines. After your meal, walk with your guide back to Himeji station to take the JR Special Rapid Service or Rapid Service (non-reserved seat) to Maiko station. When your 30-minute ride ends, continue to the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, which has the longest central span of any suspension bridge in the world. On the first floor at the entrance to the Maiko Marine Promenade, built on the Kobe side, you’ll find information about the bridge, which reaches a height of 154 feet (47 meters) above sea level and 492 feet (150 meters) above ground.Head to the lounge on the 8th floor and peer through an observatory camera — you’ll feel like you’re on top of the bridge’s main tower at some 984 feet (300 meters) in the air. Then enjoy your pedestrian journey on the marine promenade located inside Akashi Kaikyo Bridge as you look out over the sweeping view. Then ride on the JR Special Rapid Service or Rapid Service (non-reserved seat) from Maiko station back to Osaka station, where your guided tour ends in the early evening.
Buddhist Practices at the Temple of 'The Last Samurai' in Hyogo
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productPass By: Himeji Town Station, Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, KinkiThere is a temple which was used as the setting of a famous Hollywood movie, The Last Samurai. The temple is located on the top of a mountain where you can have a panoramic view of Himeji city. Climbing up the mountain by bus and Ropeway, you will arrive at a temple surrounded by bountiful forests. Practicing Zazen will enhance relaxation through meditation, and practicing Shakyo (hand-copying sutra) will enliven you with its medication feature. The specific Shakyo you will practice in this plan is called "Hanabira Shakyo (Hanabira means a flower petal). From children to adults, everyone can casually try this by writing down word by word on colored paper in the shape of flower petals.After the practices, you will try Buddhist vegetarian cuisine. Buddhist vegetarian cuisine is what disciplinants have at a temple as part of their religious trainings. Since it uses seasonal food and avoids meat, vegetarians can also fully enjoy this cuisine.Pass By: Shoshazan Ropeway, Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, Kinki.
Ninja Experience at the World Heritage Site, Himeji Castle
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productLet’s engage in real Ninja trainings with a Ninja costume at the World Heritage Site, Himeji Castle. Over 600 years, Japanese Ninjas have been training for battles. Ninja walk, Ninja run, Shuriken and Katana---you will exercise just as Ninja did. A professional actor who plays a major role in Power Rangers and historical dramas, will be your instructor. With his help, you will become a real Ninja just like the one who really existed 600 years ago.At the beginning of the plan, you will get your own Ninja name and spend the day as a real Ninja with the name. You will even play a little skit at the end!It is not rare that tourists visiting Himeji Castle ask you to take photos with you during the experience. You will absolutely be popular Ninja at the tourist site!After the trainings, the instructor will give you either Shuriken or a Ninja headband as a gift. Please do not hesitate to take it home with you!Pass By: Shoshazan Engyoji, Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, Kinki.Pass By: Himeji Castle, Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, Kinki
Stroll around the Himeji Castle and the Japanese Garden in your favorite Kimono
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productPass By: Himeji Town Station, Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, KinkiIt takes only one hour from Kyoto to Himeji Castle which was registered as a World Heritage Site for the first time in Japan. Let's wear an antique kimono and stroll around the castle with vivid white walls against the blue sky, cherry blossoms and autumn leaves!The tour price includes all you need for dressing Kimono. A set of kimono, a kimono underwear, tabi socks, sandals, a bag and dressing fee. You can choose your favorite one from over 1,000 antique kimono. The experienced staff will combine an antique kimono with obi belt and bag prettily, and dress you up casually so that you can walk comfortably. Please take your time to stroll around until 6pm.Himeji Castle with the brilliant white walls is very popular among visitors from inside and outside of the country. It looks gorgeous from season to season, and no matter where you take pictures, you will look beautiful in kimono against the castle. You can also visit the traditional Japanese garden and enjoy Match tea and Japanese sweets in this plan. Also, you will get a a tourist map with local recommendations from the staff who knows the area very well. Then you are ready to get to know more about the old castle town!Pass By: Himeji Castle, Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, Kinki.
Real Japanese Tea Gathering Once-in-a-lifetime Experience in Hyogo
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: 茶事・釣月【DETAILS】Many people think that tea ceremony is just making and drinking tea according to defined manners. But Japanese tea ceremony is actually a comprehensive art form that deals with a wide range of fields such as art, flower arrangement, architecture and gardening, Kaiseki(traditional Japanese cuisine) and confectionery. And "Chaji" refers to a formal tea ceremony entertaining guests with Kaiseki, Koicha (thick tea) and Usucha (weak tea). You can meet the Japanese spirit of hospitality in a tea house near Himeji. An associate professor of Chaji will teach you all about the tea ceremony such as table manners, how to appreciate a tea room and how to walk in the room. The tea house is equipped with various refined artifice to enjoy the tea ceremony as a comprehensive art form. In addition, this tea room was designed to accommodate people who are not used to sitting on a Tatami mat!One of the highlights is eating Kaiseki served in a formal tea gathering. You can see a unique way of cooking rice in a teakettle for boiling water over the hearth in the tea room. Try to make a charcoal fire using a bamboo blowpipe to cook rice. When it is ready, enjoy beautiful Kaiseki using seasonal ingredients with the cooked rice. The main event is tasting matcha in the room with the lighting Japanese candles. A seasonal Japanese confectionery is followed by Koicha (thick tea) served in a formal tea ceremony. Koicha is made by kneading tea powder with a small amount of hot water. You may be surprised at how thick it is but try to appreciate its aroma and rich texture. Lastly, you will make Usucha (weak tea) by yourself. Enjoy the creamy flavor of the tea with the form on the surface.As an option, you can make Japanese sweets, and/or you can attend the tea gathering wearing kimono. You would rarely come across a program rich in content like this. So regardless of your experience, Take this opportunity and try a special Chaji in Himeji!Duration: 5 hours
Trawl with fishermen and BBQ in the beautiful scenery of Setouchi!
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productOnly one hour from Himeji Station, there are 44 islands called 'Ieshima Islands'. You will visit the largest island taking a ferry for 30 minutes from the port of Himeji in this plan. The name of "Ieshima" is named by Emperor Jimmu who is the first Japanese emperor. When he visited there, he said that "there is the surface of a calm body of water. I feel as if I have stayed the inside of the house." There still remains Japanese calm atmosphere in the good old days. It is about to want to go back to home just like a name.The main industries of Ieshima Islands are fishing, quarrying and shipping. Let’s get on a boat with real fishermen and capture fresh fish in No.1 fishing village in the area!What you will experience in this plan is trawl fishing. Trawl fishing is a fishing method in which people sink a dragnet in the ocean and pull it while navigating a ship in order to catch fish. Wait until you see what is inside the dragnet!After the fishing, the concierge will introduce the beautiful and unique spots on the way to BBQ place on the top of a mountain. He will show you the scenery views that only local people know! When you arrive at the BBQ place, please enjoy BBQ of fresh fish from the sea while seeing the beautiful scenery of Setouchi that warriors are healed by once dotted with many islands and ships.Duration: 6 hoursLocation: 真浦港