Himeji Castle (also known as Himeji-jo) is Japan’s largest medieval samurai castle and probably one of the coolest and most photogenic places in the whole country.
The design and history here are incredible and definitely worth a visit, even from other parts of Japan. Himeji Castle can be easily visited on a day trip from nearby places such as Kobe, Osaka or Kyoto.
I grew up loving everything samurai, so of course this castle was on my to-do list in Japan for years. We have made the day trip from Osaka to himeji Castle a few times, and it is always fascinating.
This guide will tell you how to get to Himeji Castle from Osaka, Kyoto or Tokyo, and everything you need to know before you go!
History Of Himeji Castle
Himeji-jo began construction in the 1300s and was then further expanded in the 1600s by the samurai ruler Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
At one time, thousands of soldiers lived in the himeji-jo complex, and throughout history the castle was almost lost several times. During the Second World War, Allied blow up were dropped on the castle and did not explode. It also survived a severe trembler in the 1990s.
Today, Himeji-jo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is also a national treasure of Japan, receiving about 3 hudred visitors annually.
The castle has just been restored for 5 years and is finally visible again without a lot of scaffolding on the main keep.
Himeji Castle In Japan: What To Expect
Himeji can easily be visited as a day trip from nearby cities such as Osaka or Kyoto.
It is a great fortress complex, which covers almost 240 hectares, is about 60 meters high and has dozens of defensive gates and walls dating back to the Middle Ages.
I would allocate at least a couple of hours to tease around the castle complex and see everything here, although we personally explored the castle grounds for almost 4 hours and could have stayed longer.
I’ve wanted to see Himeji Castle since I was a kid, and when I was walking around Japan recently, I knew I had to dedicate a whole day to the experience.
The castle is such a work of art, especially when you see it from a distance.
The castle complex is great and there are many different areas to explore; it’s easy to get lost in it, but it’s part of the fun.
The main dungeon has 6 floors and you can climb to the very top and look through the arrow and bow slots for a superior view of the surrounding city.
Near the castle there are excellent restaurants and souvenir shops, which are also worth a visit.
How To Get To Himeji Castle In Japan
The best way to get to Himeji is by train. Japan has an impressive rail network, so it’s a pretty smooth process.
If the following instructions seem confusing, you can click on the links to see the exact directions in Google Maps! No guesses required.
From Tokyo
Although it is technically possible to visit Himeji Castle on a day trip from Tokyo, I would not recommend it, because in total you would spend almost 8 hours in transit, and the tickets would be very expensive.
If possible, it’s definitely a superior idea to visit Himeji from a closer place like Kyoto or Osaka (information below).
