If you have a penchant for peculiar places, dear reader, then allow me to introduce you to Himeji Castle, also known as the White Heron Castle. This enchanting edifice, bathed in a perpetual glow, has earned a place among the world’s most cherished landmarks on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Built in the early Edo period, its origins are not entirely clear, but the castle is believed to have been erected by Akamatsu Sadanori in 1346 or possibly by general Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1580. And Ikeda Terumasa, who became lord of the castle after the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600, renovated and transformed it into the sprawling marvel we know today.
The castle’s tower, as old as the tales spun around it, is a marvel of ancient craftsmanship. Though it appears to be a mere five stories tall from the outside, there are actually six floors above ground and a seventh floor hidden beneath the earth. And when the sun graces its gleaming white walls, the castle becomes a breathtaking spectacle, a beacon of wonder in an ordinary world.
Read on to learn about Himeji Castle (map) – how to visit, what to take with you, what to expect, where to stay, where to eat, and what else to do in the area.
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How to Visit
I highly recommend visiting Himeji as a day trip from Osaka. It’s easy to get there by train and should take 30-90 minutes depending on exactly where you’re starting from and which train you choose. I’m not going to spell out exactly what train to take because the best choice will depend on where you’re staying and whether you have a JR pass you want to make use of. Use Google Maps to check transit directions to find the best route for you.
The castle is open everyday at 9 a.m. to at least 4 p.m., depending on the time of year. On weekends and holidays, the crowds can get quite intense and you can expect to wait up to an hour to get in.
Full price admission is 1000¥. For an additional 50¥, you can get a combined ticket that allows you admission to Koko-en Gardens. Unless you have other big plans for the day, it makes sense to get the combined ticket.
There are English language guided tours daily at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m for 1000¥. You can sign up for a tour at the ticket office the day of your visit but keep in mind they only allow 10 people per tour and unfortunately don’t take reservations. Alternatively, there is an audioguide available for free using your phone.
Here are some tours you can book if you’d rather have a guide and just let someone else handle the logistics. Make sure to confirm whether the price of your tour covers the entrance fees.
What to Take With You
- Your IC card.
- Cash or card to purchase your admission ticket.
- Sunscreen and anything else you need to be comfortable and safe in the sun. Or an umbrella if it’s raining.
- Good walking shoes and comfortable socks.
- A bag to carry your shoes in.
- Your phone or camera.
What to Expect
Your train will arrive at Himeji Station and from there, I’d encourage you to walk down Miyukidori, a covered shopping arcade that has interesting places to stop, no traffic, and no direct sun or rain.
Once you get to the end of that street, you’ll be met with a never ending stream of photo ops as you continue toward the castle.
You’ll cross the Inner Moat of the castle on Sakuramon-bashi Bridge and then pass through the Otemon Gate which was built in 2007 based on drawings of the original structure from the Edo period (1603-1867).
Continue toward the castle and you’ll eventually find the ticket booth where you’ll be able to buy your admission tickets.
From the ticket booth, you’ll follow a labyrinth of walled paths through multiple gates that were meant to slow down attacking forces but function to slow down the throngs of tourists. Eventually you’ll make it to the main keep, a six story wooden structure.
Before entering, you’ll be asked to remove your shoes and carry them in a plastic bag to protect the floors because as it turns out, you won’t be the only visitor.
You’ll enter on the lowest floor and climb a series of steep staircases to the top. There are a few explanatory signs with information about the history of the castle and its restoration as you ascend. The main keep appears to have been used as a storeroom for for valuable items such as weapons, gold, and silver. The top floor features small windows from which to enjoy panoramic views of the city. You can also admire an up close view of the fish-shaped roof ornaments that are believed to protect the castle from fire.
After exiting the main keep, make your way back to the entrance gate. Before leaving the paid grounds, you have the option to explore one additional bailey, the west bailey (Nishinomaru) which served as the residence of a princess and provides views of the main keep from a different perspective.
What Else to Do around Himeji Castle
A visit to Himeji Castle shouldn’t take more than a couple of hours so you definitely have time to explore more of Himeji or nearby towns in the same day. Here are a few ideas.
Koko-en Gardens
The combined Himeji admission ticket will grant you access to the Koko-en Gardens, traditional Japanese gardens laid out in nine themed sections, with water features and a tranquil vibe. There’s also a teahouse although it wasn’t open when we visited. It takes about one hour to tour all of the gardens.
Kobe
The nearby city of Kobe offers unparalleled culinary experiences, from world-renowned Kobe beef to the artistry of omakase. It’s an enchanting city full of festivals and interesting architecture and promises a delightful fusion of tradition and modernity. We thought this was a great stop on our way back to Osaka, so much so that we returned a second time.
Where to Stay Near Himeji Castle
I recommend visiting Himeji as a day trip from Osaka (ideally) or Kyoto. Here are some places to stay in Osaka, and places to stay in Kyoto.
Where to Eat Near Himeji Castle
- If you’re anything like me, you’re confused as to why so many Japanese coffee shops don’t open until later in the day. Hamamoto Coffee is a cool traditional Japanese coffee shop on Miyukidori that’s definitely worth checking out and it conveniently opens at 7 a.m. They’re known for their almond toast, which is apparently a Himeji specialty.
- Takoyaki Azukichi on Miyukidori had my favourite takoyaki in Japan, topped with ponzu and scallions.
- Another thing to consider is Himeji’s specialty, oden stew dipped in ginger soy sauce. Oden is a Japanese one-pot dish consisting of several ingredients such as boiled eggs, daikon, konjac, and fishcakes stewed in a light, soy-flavored dashi broth. Teishu is the highest rated Himeji Oden place I can find but we didn’t actually try it.
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