Himeji

Himeji, a city in Hyogo Prefecture, is home to the iconic Himeji Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site. You can explore Japanese gardens, climb Mount Shosha to visit ancient temples, taste local sake, and participate in traditional festivals. In Himeji, you'll find yourself walking through centuries-old castle grounds one moment and enjoying modern city amenities the next.

Exploring Himeji Castle

Himeji Castle, also called the White Heron Castle, is the main attraction of Himeji. This UNESCO World Heritage site and National Treasure of Japan is one of the best-preserved examples of Japanese castle architecture. The castle's white exterior, complex design, and large size make it impressive. As you walk through the castle grounds, you'll see a network of defensive systems, including winding paths and hidden gates that were designed to confuse invaders. From the top floor of the main keep, you can see panoramic views of Himeji city and the surrounding area.

Strolling Through Kokoen Garden

Next to Himeji Castle is Kokoen, a group of nine Japanese gardens. Created in 1992 for Himeji city's 100th anniversary, these gardens showcase different traditional styles from the Edo period. In Kokoen, you'll find tea ceremony houses, ponds with koi fish, and well-groomed trees and shrubs. The gardens change appearance with each season. In spring, cherry blossoms cover the area in pink, while in autumn, the leaves turn red and gold.

Visiting Mount Shosha and Engyo-ji Temple

For a more secluded experience, go to Mount Shosha, about 30 minutes from Himeji's city center. Here you'll find Engyo-ji, a large temple complex that's over 1,000 years old. To get to the temple, you can take a ropeway ride up the mountain. At the top, you'll see old wooden buildings surrounded by tall cedar trees. The calm atmosphere and good views make it suitable for meditation. Movie fans might recognize Engyo-ji as one of the filming locations for "The Last Samurai."

Tasting Local Food and Sake

In Himeji, you can try some local dishes. One is Himeji oden, a stew with unusual ingredients like octopus and konnyaku (a jelly-like food made from a type of potato). Another local favorite is Himeji gyu-don, a beef bowl made with high-quality wagyu beef. Himeji is also known for sake production. You can visit a sake brewery in the city to learn about the brewing process and taste different types of this traditional Japanese rice wine.

Joining Local Festivals

Himeji hosts several festivals throughout the year. In October, there's the Nada Fighting Festival, a lively event where teams carrying heavy portable shrines compete by crashing into each other. In spring, many people come to the Himeji Castle Cherry Blossom Viewing Fair to see the castle surrounded by blooming cherry trees. These festivals allow you to participate in local traditions and community spirit.

Getting Around in Himeji

You can easily reach Himeji by train, with frequent connections to big cities like Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe. Most of the city's main attractions are close to each other, so you can walk or bike to them. If you prefer public transport, you can use the Himeji Loop Bus. It stops at all the main sights and runs often throughout the day.