Planning to take a day trip to Himeji from Osaka or Kyoto? We’ve put together all the information you need before visiting.
Himeji is a popular travel destination thanks to the striking white castle in its centre. Since it’s located close to other popular cities like Kyoto and Osaka, Himeji makes for the perfect day trip.
Himeji Castle is said to be the most beautiful of its kind in all of Japan. Due to its white-grey colour scheme and elegant design resembling a bird spreading its wings, it got nicknamed “Shirasagi-jō” or “White Heron Castle“. In 1993, it was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
This guide will answer all your questions related to transportation and entrance fees, and introduce a few other sightseeing spots around the area to help you make the most out of your Himeji day trip. Let’s take a look!
Himeji Itinerary Overview & Map
The map below includes every point of interest mentioned in this guide. All sights are within walking distance from Himeji Castle, making this day trip itinerary super easy to follow.
One Day Himeji Itinerary
Here is everything you need to know before visiting Himeji and its famous castle.
1. Arrive at JR Himeji Station or Sanyo-Himeji Station
Being conveniently located on the famous Golden Route, it’s no secret that a trip to Himeji Castle from Osaka or Kyoto is a great idea while travelling around Japan.
Depending on your point of departure, you will need between 30 minutes to two hours to reach JR Himeji Station or Sanyo-Himeji Station from Osaka or Kyoto. A detailed description of how to get to Himeji (including information on the Himeji Tourist Pass) can be found below.
Once you’ve arrived, leave the building via the JR Himeji Station North Exit. If you’ve taken a train to the adjacent Sanyo-Himeji Station, you can leave the building through the main exit.
From here, you can either take a bus for around 5 minutes or follow the main street straight for around 15 minutes on foot to reach Himeji Castle.
2. Visit Himeji Castle
The history of Himeji Castle dates back to the year 1333 when Akamatsu Norimura, a samurai of the Akamatsu clan, built a fortress on top of a hill. In 1346, his son Akamatsu Sadanori demolished the fort and erected Himeyama Castle in its place.
It was not until the late 16th century that Toyotomi Hideyoshi began remodelling the whole structure into the famous white castle that is now attracting millions of visitors each year.
Himeji Castle was completed in the early Edo Period (1603–1868) and is known for its outstanding sturdiness. It never got entirely burned down or destroyed like many other Japanese castles did over the centuries, and even survived the Great Hanshin Earthquake in 1995. This makes it one of the most famous landmarks in Japan.
When arriving from JR Himeji Station, you can head directly towards the Sakuramon Bridge and the Ōtemon Gate from where you can enter the admission-free area of Himeji Castle.
It’s up to you if you prefer to explore the free area that mainly revolves around Sannomaru Square (including the Peony Garden of Princess Sen) first or want to enter the paid area directly.
Once you’ve entered the paid area, you need to walk up some stairs. The winding path leading to the main castle is a little steep. But hang in there, the short hike is worth it! Don’t forget to explore the different areas of the castle complex such as the West Bailey on the way up.
Himeji Castle offers guided tours in English twice a day at 10 AM and 1 PM (each tour takes 1 hour and 45 minutes) on a first-come-first-served basis for up to 10 people. Participants need to pay an extra fee of ¥1,000.
Upon entering Himeji Castle, you have to take your shoes off. The wooden floor inside is a little slippery, so be careful while walking. Inside, you can learn more about the castle’s history and architecture and have a look at Himeji from above.
How Long Does It Take to Visit Himeji Castle?
Himeji Castle is the main attraction of Himeji, so it’s likely you’ll spend most of your time in this area.
When visiting only Himeji Castle, around two hours should be more than sufficient. If you want to thoroughly explore the castle complex, you might need up to three hours. This doesn’t include Kōko-en Garden and the surrounding Himeyama Park.
Furthermore, Himeji Castle can get crowded during peak season. When the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, it’s better to calculate more time than usual for a trip to Himeji.
Depending on the weather conditions, the blooming period of the cherry trees surrounding Himeji Castle varies each year. In 2023, they reached full bloom around April 1st. Make sure to check the cherry blossom forecasts online before visiting in spring!
Himeji Castle Entry Fees
The general admission fee for Himeji Castle is ¥1,000 for adults. However, there is a combined ticket for Himeji Castle and the close by Kōko-en Garden that costs only ¥1,050.
Since the regular entrance fee for Kōko-en Garden is ¥310, the combined ticket is worth purchasing. The garden is also part of this Himeji itinerary, so make sure to get a ticket for both sights when following our guide.
If you’re planning to use the Himeji Tourist Pass during your trip, you can get a 20% discount on the entrance fee in these two places.
3. Walk Through Himeyama Park
After exploring Himeji Castle, it’s time to see Himeyama Park. Leave the paid area and walk left until you reach the forking paths around Kiseimon Gate. Following the left path from there, you’ll eventually reach Himeyama Park.
Himeyama Park stretches across the back side of Himeji Castle. On the way, there are a few little shrines such as Himeji-jinja, a little pond and the castle moat with plenty of koi carp to see.
If you’re fond of exhibitions, you also have the option of paying a visit to the Himeji City Museum of Art or the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of History. Both of them are within walking distance from Himeji Castle and Himeyama Park when you take the path to the right around Kiseimon Gate.
When following the course through Himeyama Park, you’ll reach the main street at some point. From there, you can easily access Kōko-en Garden.
4. Enjoy the Serenity of Kōko-en Garden
Turning right after reaching the main street in front of Himeji Castle again, you should find yourself in front of the entrance gate to Kōko-en Garden. Remember, you don’t need an extra ticket if you bought the combined ticket in Himeji Castle.
Kōko-en opened in 1992 and features nine different Japanese-style gardens that are connected through gates, water streams and small ponds. Inside the garden, there’s also a tea house called Soju-an. Here, you can enjoy the garden scenery while savouring a cup of green tea and traditional Japanese sweets.
Kōko-en Garden is usually open from 9 AM to 5 PM (last access at 5.30 PM) but the admission hours can slightly vary depending on the time of the year.
During cherry blossom and autumn foliage season, you can see the entire garden lit up at night. Moreover, there are some other annual events and exhibitions to attend. For more information, check out their official website.
5. Buy a Souvenir in Miyuki Shopping Street
Before taking the train back to Kyoto or Osaka, there’s still some time left to find a good restaurant and shop for some souvenirs.
Miyuki Shopping Street is a roofed arcade conveniently located between Himeji Castle and JR Himeji Station. You can find various restaurants, cafés and shops selling local souvenirs here.
With this, our Himeji itinerary slowly comes to an end. Depending on your connection, take the train back from JR Himeji Station or Sanyo-Himeji Station.
How to Get to Himeji Castle from Osaka
Luckily, it’s super easy to get to Himeji Castle from Osaka. You have different options, depending on how much money and time you want to spend on transportation.
The fastest (albeit most expensive) way to get to Himeji is by Shinkansen. Take the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station to reach JR Himeji Station within 30 minutes for around ¥4,000. When using the JR Pass, this is definitely the most convenient travel method.
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, you should avoid going by Shinkansen. From Osaka Station or Shin-Osaka Station, the special rapid trains on the Tokaido-Sanyo Line will bring you to Himeji within around one hour for ¥1,520. Don’t confuse this train line with the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen.
From Osaka-Umeda Station, you can reach Sanyo-Himeji Station within around two hours by Hanshin Line for ¥1,320.
Himeji Tourist Pass
If you happen to travel to Himeji directly from Kansai International Airport, the Himeji Tourist Pass might be another option worth considering. You can purchase this special ticket for ¥2,400 in the Kansai Tourist Information Centre in Terminal 1.
The Himeji Tourist Pass gives you a one-way ride from Kansai International Airport to Namba Station on the Nankai Electric Railway Line, a one-day ticket for unlimited train rides with the Hanshin Electric Railway and the Sanyo Electric Railway, as well as discounts for over 40 participating facilities.
With the first ticket, you cannot exit the train before Namba Station on your way from the airport.
The ticket for the Hanshin Electric Railway and the Sanyo Electric Railway is valid for 24 hours, starting with your first ride from Osaka-Namba Station. This means you can stay in Namba overnight and use the one-day ticket to Himeji on the next day.
On your way to Himeji, you can get off the train in Kobe and Akashi for sightseeing.
You can find more information on the ticket conditions here.
How to Get to Himeji Castle from Kyoto
From Kyoto, you will need a little longer to reach Himeji than from Osaka.
A one-way trip to Himeji by Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen from Kyoto Station takes approximately 50 minutes and costs around ¥5,000. Again, this is the most efficient travel method when using the JR Pass.
If you want to save money, take one of the regular trains departing from Kyoto Station. The special rapid trains on the Tokaido-Sanyo Line reach Himeji in 1 hour and 40 minutes for a fare of ¥2,310 Yen.
Is Himeji Castle Worth Visiting?
Himeji Castle is totally worth visiting and makes for a great day trip destination all year round. Known for its elegant appearance and delicate architectural details, it’s said to be the most beautiful castle in Japan.
JR Pass users benefit from the short travel time thanks to the Shinkansen connection from Osaka and Kyoto. When travelling from Kansai to Hiroshima by train, it’s also super easy to add a quick stop in Himeji on the way. It truly is one of the best things to do in Japan.
However, Himeji can seem a little far off when not using the Shinkansen (especially from Kyoto). If you’re travelling to Japan on a tight schedule, a closer day trip destination like Nara could be a better choice. This is also true in case you’re more interested in temples than castles.
Overall, you won’t need more than half a day to one full day to visit Himeji. Himeji Castle is indeed the main attraction to see.
Conclusion – Himeji Day Trip
A day trip to Himeji Castle from Osaka or Kyoto can be a beautiful addition to a Japan itinerary for everyone who’d like to leave Japan’s main cities for a while.
Cherry blossom season is the most popular time to visit Himeji Castle. The pink petals compliment the white-grey castle exterior perfectly and make for an absolutely stunning view. It can get crowded at this time of the year, so be prepared to potentially wait in line.
Do you want to add other day trip destinations from Osaka or Kyoto to your Japan itinerary? Check out our guides about Kobe or Nara for more travel ideas.
