Himeji Castle

Embark on a full-day bus tour from Osaka to explore the historical landmarks and natural beauty of Hyogo Prefecture, a vibrant and culturally rich region in Japan's Kansai area. Known for its seamless blend of history, nature, and modern attractions, Hyogo offers an unforgettable experience for travelers of all interests. Himeji Castle: Begin your journey at the iconic Himeji Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Japan’s most exquisite surviving samurai castle. Famous for its striking white exterior and intricate architectural design, it stands as a symbol of Japanese history and craftsmanship. Kokoen Garden: Adjacent to the castle, stroll through the serene Kokoen Garden, featuring nine beautifully landscaped gardens. Each garden showcases a unique style and reflects the beauty of Japan’s four seasons, offering a peaceful retreat from the bustling world. Koroen Former Residence Park: Step back in time at Koroen Former Residence Park, where traditional Japanese architecture and design have been preserved. Wander through this charming park to experience the ambiance of historical residences and gain insight into Japan's past. Arima Onsen: Visit Arima Onsen, one of Japan’s oldest and most famous hot spring resorts, renowned for its mineral-rich, therapeutic waters. Travelers with tattoos are welcome at Gin no Yu and Kin no Yu, two of Arima’s most well-known baths, ensuring everyone can enjoy this rejuvenating experience. Mount Rokko: End your journey at Mount Rokko, the perfect spot to soak in breathtaking panoramic views of Kobe city, the Seto Inland Sea, and beyond. The mountain offers a spectacular vantage point, particularly stunning at sunset. The tour wraps up with a scenic return to Osaka Namba, leaving you with cherished memories of Hyogo Prefecture’s historical charm and natural beauty. ※For those wishing to use the onsen (hot spring), we recommend bringing a towel and a change of clothes. Please note that swimsuits, underwear, or any clothing are not allowed in the bathing area.

Explore Himeji in your own way with a private licensed guide. Choose the 6 or 4-hour option depending on what fits with your schedule. Let the guide know what special requests you have for the day and they will tailor your itinerary accordingly. All guides hold the nationally-licensed Tour Guide-Interpreter certification. It is issued by the Japanese government and requires a good understanding of Japanese culture and history. This tour features a morning pickup at your hotel in Himeji, then a visit to any number of possible sites. You can customize your itinerary according to the places you want to visit. See a suggested itinerary below: The first stop is Himeji Castle, registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Himeji Castle dates back to 1333, and has survived natural disasters, WWII bombing, and the wear of the weather. In 2015, it underwent restoration works, which helped return its facade to a brilliant white. Visit the castle with a local knowledgeable guide and learn about the castle's architecture. Next is Mt. Shosha, a picturesque temple area located in the mountains behind Himeji Castle. Take the ropeway cable car up to Mt. Shosha. Alternatively, if you’re feeling extremely energetic, you could hike up the mountain in an hour or less. Then stop by the Engyo-ji Temple. With so much to explore on the temple grounds, plan to spend around an hour here to see the main structures. The trails that lead through the grounds reveal Mt. Shosha's gorgeous flora, and little details that create a magical atmosphere. For lunch, you enjoy delicious local food around Himeji Station, such as amen, gyoza, tonkatsu, and sushi. The local shopping street arcade is another charm of Himeji, and your guide will pick out the best shops for you to visit.  Other popular places to visit on this tour could be the Himeji City Museum of Literature, the Nadagiku Shuzo Sake Brewery, or the Hiromine Shrine.

Himeji Castle has remained intact since it was built in early 1600. Fortunately, the castle has never seen a battle and even survived the bombings of World War II. Today, its exquisite beauty attracts many tourists and the castle is fondly called as the White Heron Castle due to its pristine white-plastered exterior. Our knowledgeble guide will walk you through Himeji Castle including its 6-storied castle tower, introducing interesting stories and histories behind this beautiful castle. Do not miss this opportunity to learn every bit of Himeji Castle!

Discover the best of Himeji on a private guided walking tour. Learn about the history and beauty and defensive mechanisms of Himeji Castle. We'll help you skip the line and go straight in. Saving you from standing in the hot sun or rain lining up (on busy days this can be half an hour or more) Enjoy a personal and professional experience with an experienced local guide. We are trusted by tour agents from Austria to Australia, from the UK to USA. Gain fascinating insights into Japan’s history and culture. We make the history come alive. Ask about customizing your tour and let your guide take care of the itinerary. Explore Himeji in your own way with a local guide who will show you how to eat like a local. Let us know what special dietary or mobility requirements you have when booking and we can tailor your itinerary according to your needs.

Tour Himeji Castle, a World Heritage Site of magnificent scale, wisdom and technology After meeting at Himeji Station, we will collect our bicycles and proceed to the shopping street in the castle town. There, we will visit a Japanese sweets shop with a history spanning over 300 years and sample "Tamatsubaki," a refined Japanese confection that was once presented to feudal lords within the castle. Subsequently, we will explore the magnificent Himeji Castle, also referred to as Shirasagi-jo, meaning "White Egret Castle." During our visit to Himeji Castle, our local guide will elucidate why the castle is deemed impregnable and renowned for its beauty, providing insights into its architecture, exhibits, and historical significance. After taking in the spectacular view and cityscape from the top of the castle, enjoy lunch at a traditional Japanese restaurant beloved by the locals! After ascending to the summit of Himeji Castle and admiring the breathtaking view, we will cycle through the historic castle town. We will savor a Japanese lunch at a restaurant located in the castle town. Following lunch, we will proceed to a shrine that offers a picturesque spot for capturing beautiful photographs of Himeji Castle. Relax and enjoy a cup of tea in Kokoen, a beautiful Daimyo garden. After exploring the shrine, we will cycle once more around Himeji Castle, heading to the picturesque Kokoen Garden. Within this garden, you can admire the flora, ponds, and carp while being serenaded by the melodious sound of a cascading waterfall. Following a leisurely cup of tea at a café within the garden, we will make our way back to the station.

Himeji Castle has remained intact since it was built in early 1600. Fortunately, the castle has never seen a battle and even survived the bombings of World War II. Today, its exquisite beauty attracts many tourists and the castle is fondly called as the White Heron Castle due to its pristine white-plastered exterior. Our knowledgeble guide will walk you through Himeji Castle including its 6-storied castle tower, introducing interesting stories and histories behind this beautiful castle. Do not miss this opportunity to learn every bit of Himeji Castle!

This tour takes place in a historic castle. Himeji Castle is one of 12 Japanese castles still very well preserved with their wooden main keep still existing. We can still visit it today without any problems. The castle dates from 1346 and we currently see it as it was in 1618. You will learn more about the History of Japan, with your guide, passionate or even graduate in Japanese History, who will explain to you the ins and outs of Japanese politics of yesteryear. You will have a good lesson in history and exciting architecture in perspective, unique to Himeji!

8:00 AM: Depart from Osaka 9:30 AM: Arrive at Himeji Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Japan's most famous and impressive castles. Spend some time exploring the castle's many towers, gates, and defensive features. 11:30 PM: Purchase a delicious lunch at one of the many restaurants in the Himeji Castle area. 12:30 PM: Visit Kokoen Garden, a beautiful traditional Japanese garden with several different styles of Japanese landscaping. 2:00 PM: Take a short drive to Engyo-ji Temple, a mountain-top temple complex with stunning views of the surrounding area. 4:00 PM: Return to Osaka 6:00 PM: Arrive in Osaka

Himeji Castle has remained intact since it was built in early 1600. Fortunately, the castle has never seen a battle and even survived the bombings of World War II. Today, its exquisite beauty attracts many tourists and the castle is fondly called as the White Heron Castle due to its pristine white-plastered exterior. Another must-see spot in Himeji is Engyoji Temple located on the summit of Mount Shosha. Take a bus from the castle and enjoy 30 minutes ride to the foot of the mountain where you get on a cable car to reach the top where the temple lies. Our knowledgeble guide will first walk you through Himeji Castle including its 6-storied castle tower, introducing interesting stories and histories behind this beautiful castle before taking you to Engyoji Temple which is used as a filming location for various movies including the Hollywood movie "The Last Samurai".

We will have a good journey ahead! After picking you up from your hotel, we take the train to visit two emblematic places of Japan: Himeji Castle and Kobe City. First, we go to Himeji Castle. It is a Japanese castle still very well preserved with its wooden keep still up. The castle dates from 1346 and we currently see it as it was in 1618. Then we go to Kobe. To the north, the mountain. To the south, the sea... And in the center, you! Visiting this beautiful city by public transport and on foot. We will discover Kobe from north to south: the European district, the city center, the Chinese district and the port. History and fashion come together in this picturesque town.