日本NipponPlan

Himeji

Day trip from Osaka
Stays
  1. Himeji Castle with cherry blossoms from Himeji Zoo
  2. Himeji Castle with cherry blossoms from front
  3. Himeji Castle 0804 1
  4. Koko-en, Himeji
  5. Himeji Koukoen32n4592

The best-kept castle in Japan, white and large, with a garden next door.

Worth a day?

Yes. Himeji Castle is a short Shinkansen ride from Osaka, and the day centres on the castle and its grounds. It is a poor choice for travellers who cannot manage steep stairs or who want a day of city life rather than one main site.

Pick your pace

Himeji works as a slow day or a full one. Choose the pace that fits yours and the stops that suit it come first. Nothing is removed.

楽EasyShort stops and plenty of time to sit.歩ActiveWalks, outdoor places and more ground.寺CultureTemples, museums and history, with the reason for each.食FoodStreet food, sweets and a proper meal between sights.

Not sure? Start with Easy.

A day in 3 stops

In the order that suits your pace.

  1. 2.5 hMorningHimeji Castle main keep 城A white castle from the 1600s. You climb through the keep on wooden stairs.
  2. 1.5 hAfternoonKoko-en gardens 庭Nine linked gardens beside the castle, with a tea house.
  3. 1 hAfternoonLocal conger eel or oden lunch 穴Himeji is known for conger eel rice bowls and ginger oden.

How to get there

From OsakaFrom Kyoto

FastestJR West, Sanyo Shinkansen → Himeji

Time
28 min
Changes
None
Seat
No booking
  1. Take a local JR train from Osaka Station to Shin-Osaka, about 5 minutes. The Shinkansen does not stop at Osaka Station.
  2. Take a Sanyo Shinkansen to Himeji, about 28 minutes. Nozomi and Mizuho trains may need a reserved seat, so check the timetable.
  3. At Himeji Station, leave by the North Exit and walk about 15 to 20 minutes to the castle, or take a bus.
A cheaper way

The JR Special Rapid from Osaka Station takes about an hour, needs no seat booking, and is a cheaper option than the Shinkansen.

Coming back. Trains run both ways through the day, and the Shinkansen returns to Shin-Osaka. Check the timetable for the last trains.

Typical times. Check the timetable before you go.

Stay a night

Sleep in Osaka and come by train, since the Shinkansen takes about 30 minutes; a night in Himeji suits visitors who want the castle lit after sunset.

Stay in HimejiHimeji has business hotels, guesthouses and hotels near the station or the castle. A night here lets you see the castle lit up in the evening, which a day trip from Osaka or Kyoto does not allow.Find stays in Himeji
Kyoto as your basetemples and tea The train to Himeji takes about 44 minutes.Find stays in Kyoto

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