What other travelers are saying about Himeji Castle
Amazing historic castle. Do not miss this one- very beautiful and the grounds are just as pretty. I went right at opening and there were no crowds but as I was leaving it was starting to get busier so go earlier to avoid them. Spend the extra 50 yen when buying your ticket online to get access to the gardens as it’s well maintained and beautiful, with koi fish in many of the ponds! One of the highlights of my Japan trip.
Himeji Castle is one of those places that really lives up to the photos. The white castle looks absolutely striking as you walk up to it, and the grounds are peaceful and easy to enjoy. The inside involves a bit of climbing with steep staircases, but it’s worth it to see the wooden interior and the views from the top. It’s a genuinely pleasant place to visit, beautiful, well-kept, and full of history.
Tips:
1. We entered around 9 AM, and that turned out to be a great decision. The crowds were still light, so it was easy to walk around and take photos.
2. Spending about 1.5 hour feels just right without rushing.
Well preserved, like we were stepping back in time. We took advantage of the free English speaking tour guide service. Our guide Yoshi did an amazing job, leading us and educating us about the castle and the surrounding area. Note: each guide only gives 2 tours per day and the length was 2 hours, but we'll worth it. You will be able to climb all the way to the top room of the castle.
Best castle experience to date!
Beautiful castle with wooden interior. Can walk the interior main keep (no shoes allowed) and bastion. Entry into grounds area and castle is 1000 jpy, but decent size. It does get busy and they limit entry, so recommend getting there early. Very well preserved and worth a stop over if your in the area.
Himeji Castle was amazing. It is best to visit in the morning getting as much natural light as possible. It is possible to do a trip to Himeji as well as going further to Hiroshima on the same day using the Shinkansen. Be warn it will be an early morning to do both trips in a day. From Himeji Train Station it is an easy 10-15 minute walk to the castle grounds. There are many shops and places to grab a quick breakfast or lunch depending what time of the day you arrive. Wear comfortable shoes since it's a gradual incline to the main castle keep. Be very aware you will have to climb steep staircases once inside the castle. We recommend bringing portable rechargeable fans, because you will sweat climbing the stairs. The views are very beautiful from the top. This excursion can be done in under 4 hours from the train station, up to the castle, and back to go to the next destination.
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.
