Himeji, located in the Hyogo Prefecture of Japan, is best known for its iconic white castle, Himeji Castle, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s a must-see for anyone interested in Japanese history and architecture. We spent 1 day in Himeji, only stopping over while traveling from Kobe to Hiroshima during our month-long adventure in Japan!
TLDR 🫣
Himeji: A charming city in Hyogo Prefecture, known for its UNESCO World Heritage site, Himeji Castle, offering a blend of history, culture, and beauty perfect for a day trip.
Itinerary:
- Morning: Arrive at Himeji Station, store your luggage, and explore Himeji Castle and Koko-en Garden, appreciating the serene landscapes and captivating history.
- Afternoon: Experience a traditional Japanese tea ceremony within the castle grounds, then enjoy a quick lunch from Lawson’s before heading to Hiroshima.
Pro Tip:
- Purchase a combination ticket for just 1,050 yen ($10.50 CAD) per person to gain access to both Himeji Castle and Koko-en Garden, offering great value and ample time to enjoy both attractions. Koko-en is one of the most beautiful and serene gardens we experienced in Japan!
If you’re planning a longer trip, check out our 31-day itinerary, How to Spend 1 Month in Japan, for a high-level view of the cities we explored, where we stayed, and what we loved in each place. For now, let’s dive into how to spend 1 day in Himeji for first-timers.
HOW TO GET TO HIMEJI
We always prefer taking local trains whenever possible, avoiding buses since they’re not ideal for luggage and can be inconvenient for longer trips. If you’re traveling on a day trip like we were, consider storing your luggage at Himeji Station. Lockers cost between 700-1000 yen (about $7-10 CAD), which is definitely worth it. You can also store your luggage at Himeji Castle itself for 300 yen ($3 CAD) – more on that below. You’ll save both time and money rather than traveling back to your starting point just to get your bags.
– Kobe to Himeji: Tokaido-Sanyo Line Special Rapid Himeji, 990 yen per person (~$10 CAD), about 40 minutes.
– Himeji to Hiroshima: Shinkansen Nozomi 69 Non-Reserved Seat, 7,910 yen per person (~$79 CAD), about 1 hour. While it is possible to take local trains, we do not recommend it for this route. For the local train, it would cost about 4,820 yen per person (~$48 CAD) per person, but would take 4-5 hours. For an additional ~30 CAD, I rather save the 3-4 hours of commuting and spend that time exploring the city! For a detailed guide on how to navigate Japan’s Shinkansen system, check out our blog How to Ride the Shinkansen in Japan.
If you’re interested in what to do and where to eat and stay in Kobe or Hiroshima, check out our blogs How to Spend 1 Full Day in Kobe and How to Spend 2 Full Days in Hiroshima.
WHY YOU SHOULD MAKE A STOP IN HIMEJI
If you’re traveling between cities like Hiroshima to Kobe/Osaka, you’ll likely pass through Himeji. We were always intrigued by the striking image of Himeji Castle, Japan’s most famous and best-preserved feudal-era castle. After doing some research, we debated whether it was worth stopping, especially if we could see it “next time.” But ultimately, we decided to embrace the mindset of “there’s no time like the present,” and we’re so glad we did!
In fact, our honest (and potentially polarizing) opinion is that we enjoyed our day in Himeji more than our day in Kobe. While Kobe beef was a highlight, Himeji Castle and the surrounding experiences won us over. So, if you have the chance, don’t skip Himeji!
ITINERARY
Let’s break down How to Spend 1 Day in Himeji, Japan as First-Timers with TIME STAMPS since this is a travel day:
9:15 AM: We checked out of our hotel in Kobe, bags packed and ready for the day ahead. It was both a sightseeing and travel day for us, as we were making our way from Kobe to Hiroshima, with a planned stopover in Himeji.
10:00 AM: We arrived at Himeji Station and immediately stored our luggage in one of the many available lockers. The cost was 700-1,000 yen per locker ($7-10 CAD), but it was worth every yen since we didn’t want to carry our bags around while exploring the city. We also considered storing our luggage at the castle itself—where they offer both small and large lockers for 100-300 yen (photo below)—but it made more sense to leave everything at the station, as we’d return there before catching our next train.
10:20 AM: We made our way to Himeji Castle, where we bought a combination ticket that granted us access to both the castle and Koko-en Garden for only 1,050 yen ($10.50 CAD) per person. We thought this was incredible value, especially considering we had enough time to experience both. Having visited a number of gardens across Japan, we found Koko-en to be one of the most beautiful and serene we encountered.
10:40 AM – 12:30 PM: For almost two hours, we roamed the vast grounds of Himeji Castle. It’s one of the largest castles in Japan, and while many other castles are impressive, the stories of Himeji Castle were what captivated us. One tale in particular left a lasting impression: the Tragic life of Princess Sen.
Princess Sen was married at the young age of 6, a union arranged by her grandfather, the Emperor, to forge an alliance between two rival families. Despite this, the marriage didn’t resolve the tensions, and the families remained at war. Years later, her grandfather forced her husband to commit suicide and burned Osaka Castle to the ground, with him inside.
Following the tragedy, Princess Sen fled but eventually returned to Himeji. On her way back, she met her second husband, a love match this time, and they had two children. Sadly, tragedy struck again when their son died at just three years old from an illness that was common at the time, with a global mortality rate of 20-30% among children. Shortly after, she lost her husband, followed by her mother-in-law, and then her mother.
Overwhelmed with grief, Princess Sen renounced her title, cut off her hair, changed her name, and became a nun. Her story is woven into the fabric of the castle’s history, adding a poignant layer to the majestic structure. Wandering the grounds, we felt the weight of the centuries-old tales that lived within its walls.
12:30 PM – 1:00 PM: After immersing ourselves in the history of the castle, we took a relaxing stroll through Koko-en Garden. The garden is actually composed of nine smaller gardens, each with its own theme, from koi ponds to bamboo groves and meticulously pruned bonsai trees. It felt like stepping into another world, one where time slowed, and you could truly appreciate the artistry of Japanese landscaping.
At this point, we came across a traditional Tea Ceremony House. Having never experienced an authentic Japanese tea ceremony, we couldn’t resist. It was 1,000 yen ($10 CAD) for the both of us.
We were given a pamphlet explaining the process, and the ceremony began with us eating a sweet before bowing in thanks to our host. She patiently guided us through the ritual, from the way we held the chawan (tea bowl) to the precise manner in which we rotated it before taking a sip. It was a deeply respectful and enlightening experience, and we left feeling grateful for having had the opportunity to participate in such a honoured tradition on the Himeji castle grounds.
1:30 PM: With our hearts full and our minds still lingering on the beauty of Himeji, we made our way back to the station. We grabbed a quick lunch from Lawson’s (our go-to convenience store), opting for… you guessed it….our favorite onigiris, and boarded the shinkansen for Hiroshima.
TOTAL COST for 1 Day in Himeji (Approximate, CAD for 2 people):
Accommodations: $0 (This day trip was a travel day, stopping over at Himeji on our way from Kobe to Hiroshima)
Activities: $27
Food: $13
TOTAL: $40 (Roughly $20 per person for one day)
FINAL THOUGHTS:
Himeji turned out to be one of the hidden gems of our trip. We weren’t sure if it was worth the stop over and debated whether we should go right up until the morning! The history, culture, and beauty of the castle and gardens left a lasting impression on us. So, should you add Himeji to your itinerary? Absolutely, especially if you’re passing through on your way to another city. Even half a day is enough to capture the essence of Himeji, but it’s an experience you won’t want to miss.
If you’re planning a longer trip, don’t forget to check out our 31-day Japan itinerary, How to Spend 1 Month in Japan, for more travel tips and inspiration. Comment below if you have any questions!
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