What other travelers are saying about Himeji Castle
This place is definitely worth the visit. Far different and more authentic than other castles that we have visited in Japan, the White Crane Castle remains largely in its original form. It is stunningly beautiful, and very well preserved. I strongly recommend taking the option for the limited access additional tour, where you get to see some other areas of the castle. The adjoining gardens were also very nice. Highly recommend going early, as this is a very popular location. Also - strongly recommend booking online to avoid the lineups.
It is one of the most visited monuments in the country. But entry was surprisingly smooth even without any advance booking. There are non named ticket counters, where you can buy tickets easily. I bought the combo ticket of the castle and the Kokoen garden. The parts to cover are the main keep, the west bailey and the Sannomaru plaza. The main keep is the iconic structure and was largely used for defense. There are descriptions available in the castle which makes it easier to understand. Sannomaru plaza is where you can take a clear close up picture of the main keep. Do not miss the west bailey or nishinomaru. This is a group of buildings and gardens which served as the residence of Senhime, the daughter of a Shogun.
TLDR: An easy inexpensive daytrip from Osaka to a stunning 17th century castle.
Himeji is approximately an hour and a half from Osaka by Special Rapid Train which you can use an IC card. Himeji Castle cost ¥1000 per adult and ¥300 yen per child.
Lines to enter the castles were shorter than that of Osaka castle and while we did hear over the speakers that the Castle was at capacity it did not feel like it was at any point.
There are guides available if so inclined however all signage and pamphlets are available in english.
I recommend walking through the West Bailey prior to entering the Castle's Keep as it contains much of the history of the Castle.
Please Read below if you are wanting to learn about this castle and what it meant to japan.
This castle is amazing and is one of the BEST places I had seen in 2 weeks. My experience is 2 part, the first part was the castle which is awesome. The second part was you NEED is a guide to take you through the gardens and castle. It was very inexpensive for the history lesson I got about the castle. This was the most important part. Our guide Nobu, was amazing and was by far the thing that made the tour so amazing. Please use Nobu who has a ge eral passion and love for Meiji castle.
It is a great castle, it could be greater with some more work and idea.
The bad part was the pressure given from the staff since the beginning, about the closing time (17.00). We arrived approxx 15.30 and they started already telling that, which is fine, then probably every 5 mins a costant pressure to get out in time and in the end they closed everything 5 mins early.
Anyway if you are around it is worth it, if you come from Osaka like me, probably not. The are other better thing to see.
Visitors can climb the six-story main tower, which has steep wooden stairs and great views from the top. Inside, you’ll find displays of artifacts like samurai armor and weapons. The castle grounds also have smaller towers, gates, and lovely gardens.
A full visit usually takes 2–3 hours. This includes exploring the castle, walking through its grounds, and visiting the nearby Koko-en Garden, a beautiful Japanese-style garden.
Spring and autumn are the best times to visit. In spring, cherry blossoms surround the castle, making it especially beautiful. Autumn adds colorful leaves to the scenery. Winter is quieter, while summer has lush greenery but can be hot.
The castle grounds are easy to access, but the main tower can be difficult for people with mobility issues because of the steep stairs. Families with kids or elderly visitors might find the surrounding gardens and paths easier to enjoy.
Children can enjoy the castle, especially its open grounds and gardens. However, the steep stairs and narrow pathways inside the main keep may be challenging for younger kids, so parents should keep an eye on them.
