Himeji Castle Guide – A Day in Japan’s Most Famous Castle

For those of you with a historical bent, or if like me, you just think samurais are cool, then a day trip to Himeji Castle is definitely one of those things you must see while you’re in this part of the world.

All things samurai have seen a surge in interest lately thanks to the release of Shōgun on Disney+, an epic TV series adapted from James Clavell’s novel set in Japan in 1600, at the dawn of a pretty nasty-sounding civil war.

Himeji Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and proudly named the most “famous castle in Japan”, it seemed like a pretty neat place to visit.

Himeji Castle

A Bit of History: Why Himeji Castle is So Special

Himeji Castle has a fascinating history that dates back to 1333, with various expansions and renovations over the centuries. The castle we see today was completed in 1609 and miraculously survived wars, fires, and even earthquakes.

It’s one of the few original Japanese castles still standing, and its architectural beauty and historical significance earned it a place as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993.

Its nickname, the White Heron Castle, comes from its stunning white plaster walls, which make it look as though a graceful heron is about to take flight. With its complex maze-like layout designed to ward off intruders and its impressive keep that offers panoramic views, Himeji Castle is both a marvel of defence strategy and a beautiful piece of artistry.

Our Himeji Day Trip

Of course, me being me, I couldn’t just look around a cool Japanese castle. Oh no. Because it was Mrs B’s birthday while we were in Japan, I decided that she should have the full Japanese experience as a present.

After arriving at Himeji Station, taking the JR Sanyo line from Osaka so we could pick up my Japanese mother en route, we took a short 5-minute walk up Otemae Street where we could see the impressive Himeji Castle in the distance.

We hired some proper Japanese kimonos for the Wife and The Girl so they could get the full effect of being in Japan. There are loads of kimono rental places in both Osaka and Himeji and if you’ve never tried it, you should really give it a go, just for the experience.

As fate would have it, we ended up hiring kimonos from a place called Marilyn House, which is Mrs B’s mother’s name. Spooky – even on the other side of the world, there’s no escaping the mother-in-law’s influence.

I did have a slight worry that there was some inappropriate cultural appropriation going on here, but Japanese people seemed genuinely delighted that people wanted to try out their traditions and judging by the encouraging smiles that we got, it was all well appreciated.

Duly dressed in some beautiful kimonos, we took a short taxi ride to Himeji Castle ready for a good day of exploring. For the princely sum of only 1,000 Yen (£5 GBP/$7 USD), you can have a good look around the castle and beautiful gardens.

Himeji Castle is truly the Triggers Broom of castles, having been built, destroyed, rebuilt, and destroyed more times than I could count, but yet somehow still survives in its original form. Containing over 10,000 different artefacts that have been lovingly restored and cared for in these more peaceful times, the castle and the grounds are a genuine oasis of calm in the 106 hectares that it sits in.

Exploring the Castle Grounds

Once you arrive, you’ll be greeted by Otemon Gate, the impressive main entrance. This leads you into a large courtyard where you can take in the sheer scale of the castle.

The first thing you’ll notice is just how pristine and majestic Himeji Castle looks up close. The white plaster walls, tile roofs, and layered turrets are a sight to behold.

Inner and Outer Moats

The castle grounds are divided by moats and multiple walls, creating a protective system for the main keep. Take your time to explore the outer grounds, including the Sannomaru (outer) and Ninomaru (second) courtyards.

These areas are perfect for strolling, especially in spring when the cherry blossoms bloom.

Main Keep (Tenshu)

The star of Himeji Castle is, of course, the Main Keep or Tenshu, which towers over the entire complex. Inside, you’ll find steep wooden staircases, traditional tatami rooms, and exhibits showcasing samurai armour, weapons, and historical artefacts.

Climbing to the top requires a bit of effort (those stairs are no joke!), but the view from the top floor is worth it. You’ll get panoramic views of Himeji City and, on a clear day, even the Seto Inland Sea.

Secret Passageways and Defensive Design

One of the coolest things about Himeji Castle is its clever defensive design. As you make your way through the castle, you’ll notice a maze-like layout with winding corridors and dead ends.

These features were intentional, designed to confuse intruders and protect the castle from invasion. As you explore, keep an eye out for ishiotoshi (stone drop windows) and sama (small windows for archers), both features for defence that add to the castle’s intriguing design.

Beyond the castle walls, the hustle and bustle of Japan continues unabated, but once inside, it’s surprisingly calm and peaceful and you can stare over the battlements at the land beyond and feel like a samurai surveying the land he has brought peace to.

Unless you have a small boy with you, in which case there is no peace. There’s never any peace with small boys.

Best Photo Spots Around Himeji Castle

As ever, The Wife was armed with her iPhone ready to go to capture the all-important blog photos. Himeji Castle is incredibly photogenic, so make sure you bring your camera or smartphone fully charged!

This is why we recommend you arrive early, by lunchtime it was heaving with people, so trying to get the best photo without a crowd proved problematic! And remember, Himeji Castle has a strictly no drone policy and may limit the use of a monopod, tripod or selfie sticks, especially inside the building.

Here are some of the best spots to snap those unforgettable photos:

1. Hishi Gate: This is one of the main gates leading to the central keep, and it offers a classic view of the castle towering above. It’s a great spot for that iconic full-castle shot.
2. Nishinomaru Garden: Located on the west side of the castle, this garden provides a lovely, framed view of the keep. It’s especially beautiful in the spring when the cherry blossoms bloom.
3. Castle Moat: For a reflection shot, try photographing the castle from the edge of the moat. The castle reflected in the water adds a serene and dramatic effect.
4. Sannomaru Lawn Area: This area offers a wide-open view of the entire castle and is a popular spot for those looking for that postcard-perfect shot.

Koko-en Garden

Just west of the castle, Koko-en is a beautiful traditional Japanese garden with ponds, waterfalls, and tea houses and is a relatively new addition to Himeji, opening in 1992 on the former site of a Samurai residence.

We bought a combined ticket to visit the Gardens and Castle (1050 Yen), which I thoroughly recommend. Koko-en is composed of nine unique gardens, each with its own theme and layout and I think I preferred this to the visit to the castle itself!

One of the highlights is the Cho-on-sai Garden, which includes a large pond surrounded by seasonal flowers and koi fish. There are small stone bridges and stepping stones over streams, an area that The Boy was particularly enamoured with and asked if we could take a fish home as a pet…

Even though we visited in early January, the gardens were still full of life and colour. My Japanese family, who live locally, informed us that it’s especially stunning in autumn when the leaves turn brilliant shades of red, orange, and yellow.

Himeji Restaurants – Where to Eat Near the Castle

As we were visiting Himeji on the Wife’s birthday, my Auntie and Uncle took us to their favourite restaurant in Himeji, Fukutei, for, what felt like, a neverending feast, which was hugely welcomed after working up an appetite exploring the castle.

This had to be one of the best meals we had during our time in Japan. There’s always something to be said about having locals with you when finding somewhere decent to eat, especially if they speak the local language :)

We had a veritable feast including sushi, ramen, yakitori chicken, grilled beef shabu-gozen and miso soup, although I politely turned down the conger eel rice. Even the kids enjoyed their set menu of rice balls, fried chicken and french fries! It would seem kids eat the same the world over.

Himeji has some delicious local specialities, here are a few worth trying:

• Himeji Oden: Himeji is known for its unique twist on oden, a hot pot dish typically eaten in winter. Himeji-style oden is served with ginger soy sauce, giving it a distinctive local flavour.
• Ekisoba: This is a popular fast-food-style noodle shop located in Himeji Station. It’s famous for its unique combination of yellow wheat noodles served in a dashi broth, a local favourite for a quick and tasty meal.
• Koba&More: the tiniest of tiny restaurants with just 6 seats, the best place for a quick dish of ramen or gyoza and comes highly recommended.
• Kushiyaki Kobebeef: Located near the castle, this restaurant specialises in Kobe beef and receives rave reviews on TripAdvisor.

Nearby Attractions and Activities

We spent a good 3 hours in the castle and surrounding grounds, but if, like us, you have small children who are mainly interested in getting to the next destination that doesn’t include artefacts and museum pieces, there are plenty of child-friendly (and adult) places to visit nearby.

Sometimes, you don’t really need a plan. As we quickly found with most Japanese cities, there is beauty around every corner, so just taking a leisurely walk and absorbing the local culture will make it feel like a day well spent.

The one thing that surprised me was the beautiful details on the manhole covers on the streets. I think many cities across the world could take notes from Japanese attention to detail, making mundane things extraordinary.

If you want to get the most out of your Himeji day trip, here are some ideas:

Himeji City Museum of Art: Located just a short walk from the castle, this museum features both Japanese and Western art, as well as a nice collection of work by local artists.

Engyo-ji Temple: If you’re incredibly organised, up for a bit of a hike, and like to squeeze in as much sightseeing as you can in a day, take a bus or cable car to Mt. Shosha to visit Engyo-ji Temple. This historic temple complex is known for its beautiful wooden architecture and mountain views. Parts of “The Last Samurai” were filmed here!

Otemae Street: The main street in Himeji, it has spectacular views of the castle and covered malls leading off from the street. If you’re a shopping enthusiast, this is a great way to spend a few hours, and if you’re not (like us), we enjoyed taking in the views including the artwork on the manhole covers!

As we visited just after the new year, the whole street and the area surrounding it were still lit up with lights and decorations. Don’t forget to take a quick walk around the Sunken Gardens next to the train station before you head onto your next Japanese adventure!

There are plenty of other parks, shops, and museums to visit in Himeji, but if you’re only spending a day there like us, I think you’d be hard-pressed to fit in anything else besides what we have listed above.

Hotels Near Himeji Castle

Our Top 3 Picks: Himeji Hotels

#1 TOP PICK

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Daiwa Roynet Hotel Himeji
✔️ 10-min walk
✔️ Spacious Castle Suite
✔️ Car Park

↳ Book it

#2 PICK

Comfort Hotel Himeji
✔️ Next to the station
✔️ Good price
✔️ Free bike hire

↳ Book it

#3 PICK

Hotel Monterey Himeji
✔️ Great views
✔️ Spa
✔️ Art Deco inspired

↳ Book it

To be honest, I wish we’d stayed a bit longer. Himeji Castle and the city itself are an experience that combines history, culture, and natural beauty all in one place. I can see why it has been named the most famous castle in Japan!