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Thinking of taking a day trip to Himeji Castle? Wondering if it’s worth visiting? Definitely yes.
Himeji Castle is absolutely stunning and filled with historical significance. It’s a must see if you’re staying in Kyoto or Osaka.
How do you get there? What is there to do or see? Let’s get into all the details so you can be 100% prepared for your day trip to Himeji Castle.
About Himeji Castle
It’s one of 12 original castles. Himeji Castle is one of only 12 original castles still standing in Japan. Not only that, but the castle was never besieged, bombed, or burned, so more of Himeji’s structure has survived to the present day than any other Japanese castle.
It’s Japan’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. Himeji Castle was registered as Japan’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site in December 1993.
It’s over four centuries old. Construction on the Himeji Castle we know today began in 1601. Himeji Castle, also known as White Heron Castle, has undergone renovations since the early 1900s, and it still maintains its elegant presence even after 400 years.
It was designed for warfare. Himeji Castle includes 997 gun-and-arrow slits in its walls and many defensive features, but it has never been attacked. The stunning five-story Main Keep was supposed to be used for ammunition storage and military barracks in times of war.
Quick Facts about Visiting Himeji Castle
Location: 68 Honmachi, Himeji City, Japan
Hours: 9 a.m.–5 p.m. (last entry at 4 p.m.) / Summer: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. (last entry at 5 p.m.)
Cost of Combined Ticket for Himeji Castle and Koko-en Garden: 1050 yen (savings of 260 yen)
Can You Purchase Tickets in Advance? No, tickets can only be purchased on site.
Distance from Closest Train Station: Less than a mile, about a 20-minute walk from JR Himeji Station
How to Learn More: Visit the official Himeji Castle website and the official Koko-en Garden website.
History of Himeji Castle
The present Himeji Castle dates back to the early 17th century, but there has been fortifications on this spot since the mid-14th century.
Small fort on a hill: Akamatsu Sadanori (1306-1374), a local warlord, erected a simple fort on what was then a small hill overlooking the Himeji Plain. He is believed to have been the first to build a permanent structure here.
Three-story keep and bailey: More than two centuries later, Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537-1598) took control of the surrounding province in 1580 and built a three-story keep and bailey on the site of Akamatsu’s old fort.
Five-story keep we see today: When Ikeda Terumasu (1565-1613) became the lord of Himeji in 1600, he replaced Hideyoshi’s three-story keep with the structure we see today: a white-walled, five-story, seven-floored main keep with three smaller adjacent towers and a moat.
Enhancements added over the years: Structures were added to the West Bailey under Honda Tadamasa (1575-1631), lord of Himeji from 1617 to 1631. Tadamasa built a palace for his heir, Tadatoki (1596-1626), and erected the bailey’s long fortified gallery, an addition that strengthened the castle’s defenses and expanded its living quarters.
The Honda clan was very wealthy, but Tadatoki’s marriage to Princess Sen (1597-1666) improved the clan fortunes further. The castle was expanded to incorporate luxurious residences for the couple.
You’ll read and learn a lot about Princess Sen, especially in the Long Gallery, as she was one of the most important and significant residents of Himeji Castle.
Tickets and Entry to Himeji Castle
Can tickets be purchased in advance? No, tickets can only be purchased on site.
How to get tickets: You’ll pay for your tickets via a vending machine near the entrance of the castle. There’s a button to select English language (or other languages), and then you just follow the prompts.
Go early during peak times to ensure you can get a ticket.
How do you know which days will be crowded? Himeji Castle has a handy annual congestion forecast chart for you to check.
Get a Combined Castle + Garden Ticket
I highly recommend purchasing a combined ticket for the castle and Koko-en Garden. Not only does it save you money, but you get to skip the line at Koko-en Garden and head right in, saving time.
Why go to both? Why not? Koko-en Garden is a must see!
- Cost of combined ticket for Himeji Castle and Koko-en Garden: 1050 yen (savings of 260 yen)
- Cost of ticket for Himeji Castle only: 1000 yen
- Cost of ticket for Koko-en Garden only: 310 yen
Map of Himeji Castle Grounds
What to Do at Himeji Castle
Here’s an overview of the best things to do at Himeji Castle:
- Tour inside the Main Keep of Himeji Castle.
- Admire the views from the top floor of the Main Keep of Himeji Castle.
- Take photos of Himeji Castle from all angles.
- Tour the Long Gallery in West Bailey.
- Visit Koko-en Garden.
Let’s get into the details!
Tour Inside the Main Keep of Himeji Castle
Can you go inside Himeji Castle? Yes!
One thing to keep in mind is that the Main Keep was a purely military structure, and it was not a residence. So don’t expect to tour a palace that once housed a samurai lord (like I did). Since the castle never came under siege, it’s speculated that the toilets in the Main Keep were never even used.
You may have to wait to enter: On busy days there may be a queue to wait in before being able to enter the inside of the castle (the Main Keep). This is so they can prevent too many people from being inside all at once.
How many stories: 5 or 7? From the outside, the Main Keep appears to have five stories, but inside there are seven floors, including the basement located within the stone foundation walls. The keep is over 45 meters high (147 feet), one of the tallest wooden keeps ever built in Japan.
How much can you see? You’ll get to visit every floor, but be careful because the stairs are pretty narrow and steep. There isn’t much inside in terms of furnishings, but it’s still fascinating to see and explore. There are also informational signs on every floor, in English and Japanese (and Chinese, too, I believe) to tell you more about the history.
Admire the Views from the Top Floor of the Castle
It’s quite a trek up to the 7th floor of the Main Keep, but once there, you’ll get to see some incredible views of the whole castle and parts of the city below.
You’ll also get a close-up view of the details on the roof of Himeji Castle, which are so interesting.
Examples of roof details on the Main Keep:
- Clan crest tiles: The clan crests of the castle’s lords are stamped into the end tiles on the eaves and ridges of the roof.
- Symbolic fish statues: Do you see the upside down fish statue on the roof in the photo below? This fish statue is called Shachihoko, and it is a symbol for fire prevention. In Japanese folklore, this fish is said to spout water out of its mouth in case of fire. There are 11 fish statues of different sizes on the roof of the Main Keep.
Take Photos of Himeji Castle from All Angles
Where is the best location to take photos of Himeji Castle?
In this case, getting closer won’t make your photos better.
Under the Main Keep (okay): My photos of the castle, directly at the base of the Main Keep, aren’t very scenic. It’s just dirt and grass at the base of the castle and you can’t see the whole castle because you’re so close.
By the entrance of Water Chestnut Gate (better): There is a pretty view of the castle right when you enter through the Water Chestnut Gate (after purchasing your ticket), but it’s a little obscured by a wall. However, it’s next to the little Sangoku Moat and several pretty trees.
In the garden of the West Bailey (best): If you want a photo of the entire castle framed by pretty trees, then head to the West Bailey (paid area). There are so many angles here that will allow you take some beautiful photos. I loved the photos I took from the garden in the West Bailey.
Tour the Long Gallery in West Bailey
If you’re like me, after touring the Main Keep and learning that it was purely a military stronghold and storage for ammunition, you’ll probably be wondering, where did the lords and ladies sleep?
Unfortunately, the palatial residences of the castle’s lords have been lost to time, but there is one surviving residential structure, and it’s the Long Gallery in the West Bailey.
The female servants and ladies-in-waiting slept in the Long Gallery in the West Bailey, and you can tour the interior of this structure.
Some History of the Long Gallery
The gallery of the West Bailey was once attached to the inner residential buildings of the castle. Himeji’s gallery contains a row of rooms opening off a long corridor, each large enough to lay out eight tatami mats. This was home for most of the castle’s female occupants, who shared rooms.
Princess Sen (1597-1666) had 23 ladies-in-waiting and 16 lower-ranking servants. Three additional ladies-in-waiting looked after her daughter, Katsu (1618-1678).
The gallery’s role changed over time, depending on the needs of the castle’s lords. For example, after Princess Sen left Himeji, many of the rooms were used as storage rather than as living quarters.
The Kesho Ornamental Tower, which is connected to the gallery, was once Princess Sen’s dressing room, but it was closed when I visited.
Visit Koko-En Garden
I highly, highly recommend visiting Koko-en Garden while at Himeji Castle. Do not miss it!
Koko-en is a beautiful Japanese garden, opened in 1992 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Himeji becoming a municipality.
The site of Koko-en Garden was once the lord’s west residence. It is an archaeologically excavated site of samurai houses and roads, and it was also the site of an important military school, Koko-do, which is what Koko-en was named after.
Koko-en Garden is composed of nine gardens. You’ll go on a journey as you make your way through each part of the garden.
Highlights:
- Waterfalls
- Ponds
- Koi fish
- Bridges
- Stepping stones
- Bamboo
- Ceremonial tea house
- Fall foliage (if visiting in autumn)
- 70+ cherry blossom trees (if visiting in spring)
- Blooming flowers, such as hydrangeas, lotus flowers, and azaleas (if visiting in summer)
How to get there: Koko-en Garden is right next to Himeji Castle, but it’s on the other side of the moat, so you’ll have to completely exit Himeji Castle, cross the bridge over the moat, and then walk down the street to get to the entrance of Koko-en Garden.
How to save time and money: Definitely book the combined ticket (Himeji Castle + Koko-en Garden) to save some money (260 yen!) and time. If you have the combined ticket, you’ll get to bypass the line at Koko-en Garden and head right in!
How Long to Spend at Himeji Castle
Your day trip to Himeji Castle could be stretched to fill a whole day or just a morning/afternoon.
For me, I arrived at Himeji Castle at about 10 a.m., finished touring the castle and gardens by about 2 p.m., had a late lunch and then headed back to the train station by about 3 p.m.
Estimates on how long to spend on a day trip to Himeji Castle:
- Touring Himeji Castle: about 2-2.5 hours
- Touring Koko-en Garden: about 1-1.5 hours
- Lunch: 1 hour
- Transportation: Varies, about 1-1.5 hours
- TOTAL: 5-7.5 hours
When to Visit Himeji Castle
Himeji Castle is known for two things: its cherry blossoms and its fall foliage. So spring and fall are some of the best times to visit.
I was lucky enough to visit in late November to see its fall foliage on full display. The stunningly vibrant red trees were a sight to behold.
The cherry blossoms at Himeji Castle are world-famous and bring the crowds.
No matter when you visit, Himeji Castle itself will look brilliant.
But if you want to avoid crowds, Himeji Castle has a handy annual congestion forecast chart for you to check.
Tips for Visiting Himeji Castle
Wear slip-in shoes and good socks. When touring the inside of Himeji Castle you’ll be required to remove your shoes. Staff will pass out plastic bags for you to hold your shoes in the meantime. (The plastic bags are collected after your visit to be recycled, so try not to wrinkle them too much.) It’s convenient to wear slip-in sneakers, weather permitting. I wore this pair of slip-in sneakers from Skechers my entire trip to Japan, and taking off shoes before entering traditional places was a breeze.
Bring your own bag. If you want to be more eco-friendly, and you don’t want to use the provided plastic bag, consider bringing your own tote bag to store your shoes during your visit to Himeji Castle.
Take care of the steep stairs. There are a lot of stairs to climb within the Main Keep of Himeji Castle, so take your time and hold onto the railings. Unfortunately, there are no elevators inside the castle. There is a wheelchair accessible route for touring the exterior of the castle.
Where to eat lunch? There are several restaurants across the street from Himeji Castle, and I would recommend Bakery Lamp for lunch. It’s a cute bakery with a cozy vibe inside. We ate here and loved their burgers and fries.
Visit the Peony Garden in spring. Don’t forget to visit Princess Sen’s Peony Garden in the spring when the peonies are blooming. In other seasons, there’s not much to see.
How to Get to Himeji Castle
I recommend taking the Shinkansen bullet train from Kyoto/Osaka to Himeji to make the most of time. This is the fastest way to get to Himeji Castle! Other trains can take over 2 hours.
- Time from Kyoto Station to Himeji Station on Shinkansen: 43 minutes
- Time from Shin-Osaka Station to Himeji Station on Shinkansen: 28 minutes
Some Tips for Booking a Shinkansen Ticket:
- Reserve your tickets online in advance: Get your bullet train tickets up to 30 days in advance by booking on SmartEx. Why? It’s so much easier than having to wait in the super long lines at the train stations. I booked my ticket just one day in advance through the SmartEx app at my hotel, and it sure beat having to wait in line at the train station.
- Register and designate an IC card: After booking your Shinkansen tickets on SmartEx, you can designate each ticket to a specific IC card (SUICA/ICOCA) number. Doing this will allow you to board the Shinkansen by simply tapping your IC card (or virtual IC card in Apple Wallet). No need to print or pick up tickets. So easy!
- If you have an iPhone, I recommend adding your IC card in Apple Wallet.
- To get your IC number, you’ll have to also download the SUICA app (only a partial number is displayed in Apple Wallet). You will only need this app to get the full number.
- You can add more than one IC card in SmartEx if you’re booking several tickets for several people (but multiple people can’t be on the same one IC card).
- Book an unreserved seat: Since you are just doing a day trip, and you are not bringing luggage, I recommend saving money by booking an unreserved seat. With an unreserved seat, you sit in the unreserved cars and pick any open seat. You may not be able to sit next to your travel buddies if the train is full. In my case, this was not a problem, so you can take your chances.
- Book a reserved seat: It costs a little more to book a reserved seat, but having an assigned seat takes away all the anxiety over where you’ll sit and if you’ll find seats together with your travel buddies. It’s up to you!
Other Tips for Traveling to Himeji Castle:
Collect your Himeji stamp: When you arrive at or depart from Himeji Station, don’t forget to get a stamp of Himeji Castle near the entrance gates (where you scan your IC card or ticket). If you don’t have a stamp book, there should be papers near the stamp set that you can stamp instead.
Pay attention to sewer drain covers. Japan has some of the most beautiful and creative sewer drain covers, and you should definitely pay attention to them on your walk to Himeji Castle. The ones I saw (pictured below) had white herons on them, the iconic symbol of Himeji Castle.
How long is the walk from Himeji Station to Himeji Castle? It’s less than a mile, about a 20-minute walk from JR Himeji Station. There’s a wide sidewalk path, and we even came across a food truck selling taiyaki on the way back.
FAQs about a Day Trip to Himeji Castle
Is Himeji Castle worth visiting?
Yes, it is absolutely worth visiting! If you only have time to see one castle while in Japan, make it Himeji Castle.
Which is better, Himeji or Osaka Castle?
In my opinion, Himeji Castle is better! I say this because Himeji Castle is original, while Osaka Castle is a reconstruction.
Osaka Castle was first built in 1583, then destroyed and rebuilt again twice in the 1600s. It laid in ruins for centuries until 1931, when it was rebuilt again, surviving the air raids of World War II, standing now in present day.
Himeji Castle, on the other hand, was first built in 1601 and has stood strong for over 400 years. Himeji Castle is also much larger and more beautiful.
What movies were filmed in Himeji Castle?
The castle has been featured in foreign and Japanese films, including the James Bond movie “You Only Live Twice” (1967).
Is Himeji Castle near Kyoto?
Himeji Castle is about 75 miles from Kyoto. It would take 45 minutes to travel there by the Shinkansen bullet train.
Can you go inside Himeji Castle?
Yes, you are able to tour the inside of the Main Keep and the Long Gallery.
Is Himeji Castle original?
Yes, Himeji Castle is original! It’s one of 12 remaining original castles in Japan.
Was Himeji Castle ever attacked?
No, Himeji Castle was never attacked, bombed, or besieged.
Is Himeji Castle haunted?
Ghosts have been heard and sighted at Okiku’s well in Himeji Castle.
Okiku was a maidservant who was killed and thrown into the well after being accused of stealing/breaking a plate (one of a set of 10). Her voice was said to be heard from the well every night, counting to nine, and then crying in agony. After she was enshrined as a goddess in Junisho Shrine, no voice was heard again.
If you’re interested in ghost stories, be sure to check out Okiku’s well on your visit to Himeji Castle. Many tourists call for Okiku, and the well gives off a creepy, eerie vibe.
Is Himeji Castle open every day?
The castle is open almost every day, except December 29 and 30. There may be additional days of closure, so always double check the official website in advance.
What is Himeji Castle made of?
The foundation is made of stone, and the castle’s buildings are made of wood and plaster.
What samurai lived in Himeji Castle?
Some of the lords of Himeji during the Japanese feudal era were:
- Ikeda Terumasa (1565-1613)
- Ikeda Toshitaka (1584-1616)
- Honda Tadamasa (1575-1631)
- Sakai Tadazumi (1710-1772)
Does Himeji Castle sell out? Do you need to book tickets in advance?
It can sell out, but unfortunately you can’t book tickets in advance. Tickets are only sold on site the day of the visit. Be sure to get there early!
Is Himeji Castle free?
No, Himeji Castle isn’t free. You have to purchase a ticket to enter.
Where to Stay in Kyoto for a Day Trip to Himeji Castle
There are a lot of options of where to stay in Kyoto, and in the end I’m glad I chose not to stay in the super touristy areas.
Where I stayed: I stayed at the ANA Crowne Plaza Kyoto, which is in a quiet neighborhood of Kyoto but still by a major subway station — Nijojo-mae Station. It’s also right across the street from the beautiful Nijo Castle. The hotel is in the process of being renovated, and we were fortunate to be put in one of the newly remodeled rooms (you can request one, too).
Free shuttle service: ANA Crowne Plaza Kyoto offers a free shuttle bus service to Kyoto Station. We used it almost every morning for day trips.
This is the most current shuttle bus schedule that matched the one I saw during my visit in November 2024. It may be different today, so call the hotel if the shuttle doesn’t appear. Some of the staff at this hotel also speak English.
Nearby restaurants: During our stay in Kyoto, we did three day trips, and because of this we often returned late. It was so nice to have a go-to ramen restaurant for dinner and to be staying in such a quiet, safe neighborhood. It’s a fond memory of heading into the warm ramen shop every night, leaving the rain outside, and slurping the best noodles we had in Japan.
- Ramen Fukuchian – Nijō-jō Castle: This corner ramen shop is open until 9 p.m. and it is so good. I also tried the famous Ichiran ramen while in Japan, and this ramen shop was way better. For vegetarians, they offer a vegetarian miso ramen!
- Colorado Masusan: Just steps away from the hotel is this cute cafe that serves the most delicious egg toast and matcha milk. I am now a huge fan of the thick Japanese toast, and I loved eating here every morning.
- 7-Eleven: We became obsessed with the smoothie machine at 7-Eleven, and we walked here often, morning and night, to make our daily smoothie.
How to save money: For Americans, I recommend applying for an IHG credit card to receive a sign-up offer that will cover several nights at the ANA Crowne Plaza Kyoto hotel. That is what I did, and I was able to cover my entire stay with points.
Where to Stay in Osaka for a Day Trip to Himeji Castle
I stopped in Osaka on the way back from Himeji Castle to Kyoto, just to quickly see some of the main tourist sights like Dotonbori and the Glico Man.
If you are staying in Osaka, consider staying somewhere near the Shin-Osaka train station or even by Osaka Castle or Dotonbori.
Recommended Hotels in Osaka:
- Doubletree by Hilton Osaka Castle (for views of the castle)
- Courtyard Shin-Osaka Station (near the Shin-Osaka train station)
- Agora Place Osaka Namba (near Dotonbori)
What to Pack for Your Trip to Japan
Comfortable and convenient footwear
You’ll likely walk a lot while visiting Japan, so a good pair of walking shoes is a must. However, one additional recommendation is make sure your sneakers are slip-in.
Why wear slip-in sneakers?
Many traditional places in Japan, including Himeji Castle, require guests to remove shoes before entering. Shoes with a lot of laces are hard to get off. But slip-ins? A breeze.
- Slip-in sneakers — I wore this pair of slip-in sneakers from Skechers my entire trip to Japan, and it was so convenient! I didn’t even have to sit down to take off my shoes, like everyone else did. My shoes just slipped right off. I also felt comfortable in these shoes despite walking 20,000 steps every single day.
- Ankle socks — Be sure to wear ankle-covering socks with your shoes so you don’t get blisters with all that walking. I wore these Hanes ankle socks every day of my trip to Japan and didn’t get a single blister.
Favorite travel essentials
- I really recommend these compression packing cubes. They’re very thick and durable and allow you to pack more than you expect.
- I also love this travel backpack that opens like a suitcase, fits almost as much as a carry-on, and has tons of pockets as well as a strap to attach to your luggage handle. It makes traveling so much easier and more organized.
- I bring this AirFly receiver for AirPods with me on long-haul flights, so I can connect to the plane’s video screen with my own AirPods.
- I no longer hop on a flight without wearing my Sockwell compression socks because they really do help relieve/prevent leg cramps from sitting so long in one place. I have the lotus pattern, but there are other patterns to choose from, such as this cat pattern or this flower pattern. See all sock patterns in the Sockwell storefront.
- For Americans, I recommend getting the Capital One Venture X credit card to relax and eat free food in select airport lounges. I’ve had my Capital One Venture X credit card for a few years now, and accessing airport lounges is my absolute favorite perk of the card. Every lounge is different, but most have a buffet available where you can eat and drink to your heart’s content. The annual fee of this card is high, but it evens out with the $300 annual travel credit and 10,000 anniversary miles you get (on top of lounge access and free TSA PreCheck or Global Entry)!
Other Posts to Help You Plan Your Trip to Japan
How to Plan a Day Trip to Mt Fuji from Tokyo
Guide to Visiting Gotokuji Temple in Tokyo Japan
Best Ryokan in Takayama Japan: Hanaougi Bettei Iiyama (Review + Comparison)
Thank you for all the well researched information! Love your pictures too .