Planning to take a day journey to Himeji from Osaka or Kyoto? We’ve put collectively all the knowledge you want earlier than visiting.
Himeji is a well-liked journey vacation spot because of the putting white fortress in its centre. Because it’s situated near different standard cities like Kyoto and Osaka, Himeji makes for the right day journey.
Himeji Citadel is claimed to be probably the most lovely of its variety in all of Japan. Resulting from its white-grey color scheme and stylish design resembling a fowl spreading its wings, it obtained nicknamed “Shirasagi-jō” or “White Heron Citadel“. In 1993, it was designated a World Heritage Web site by UNESCO.
This information will reply all of your questions associated to transportation and entrance charges, and introduce a couple of different sightseeing spots across the space that will help you take advantage of out of your Himeji day journey. Let’s have a look!
Himeji Itinerary Overview & Map
The map under consists of each focal point talked about on this information. All sights are inside strolling distance from Himeji Citadel, making this present day journey itinerary tremendous straightforward to comply with.
One Day Himeji Itinerary
Right here is every thing that you must know earlier than visiting Himeji and its well-known fortress.
1. Arrive at JR Himeji Station or Sanyo-Himeji Station
Being conveniently situated on the well-known Golden Route, it’s no secret {that a} journey to Himeji Citadel from Osaka or Kyoto is a superb thought whereas travelling round Japan.
Relying in your level of departure, you’ll need between half-hour to 2 hours to achieve JR Himeji Station or Sanyo-Himeji Station from Osaka or Kyoto. An in depth description of get to Himeji (together with data on the Himeji Vacationer Cross) could be discovered below.
When you’ve arrived, depart the constructing through the JR Himeji Station North Exit. If you happen to’ve taken a prepare to the adjoining Sanyo-Himeji Station, you possibly can depart the constructing by the primary exit.
From right here, you possibly can both take a bus for round 5 minutes or comply with the primary road straight for round quarter-hour on foot to achieve Himeji Citadel.
2. Go to Himeji Citadel
The historical past of Himeji Citadel dates again to the 12 months 1333 when Akamatsu Norimura, a samurai of the Akamatsu clan, constructed a fortress on high of a hill. In 1346, his son Akamatsu Sadanori demolished the fort and erected Himeyama Citadel instead.
It was not till the late sixteenth century that Toyotomi Hideyoshi started remodelling the entire construction into the well-known white fortress that’s now attracting tens of millions of tourists annually.
Himeji Citadel was accomplished within the early Edo Interval (1603–1868) and is understood for its excellent sturdiness. It by no means obtained completely burned down or destroyed like many different Japanese castles did over the centuries, and even survived the Nice Hanshin Earthquake in 1995. This makes it one of many most famous landmarks in Japan.
When arriving from JR Himeji Station, you possibly can head instantly in the direction of the Sakuramon Bridge and the Ōtemon Gate from the place you possibly can enter the admission-free space of Himeji Citadel.
It’s as much as you when you desire to discover the free space that primarily revolves round Sannomaru Sq. (together with the Peony Backyard of Princess Sen) first or wish to enter the paid space instantly.
When you’ve entered the paid space, that you must stroll up some stairs. The winding path resulting in the primary fortress is slightly steep. However grasp in there, the quick hike is value it! Don’t overlook to discover the totally different areas of the fortress complicated such because the West Bailey on the way in which up.
Himeji Citadel affords guided tours in English twice a day at 10 AM and 1 PM (every tour takes 1 hour and 45 minutes) on a first-come-first-served foundation for as much as 10 folks. Members have to pay an additional charge of ¥1,000.
Upon getting into Himeji Citadel, you need to take your sneakers off. The wood ground inside is slightly slippery, so watch out whereas strolling. Inside, you possibly can be taught extra concerning the fortress’s historical past and structure and take a look at Himeji from above.
How Lengthy Does It Take to Go to Himeji Citadel?
Himeji Citadel is the primary attraction of Himeji, so it’s seemingly you’ll spend most of your time on this space.
When visiting solely Himeji Citadel, round two hours ought to be greater than adequate. If you wish to completely discover the fortress complicated, you would possibly want as much as three hours. This doesn’t embrace Kōko-en Backyard and the encompassing Himeyama Park.
Moreover, Himeji Citadel can get crowded throughout peak season. When the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, it’s higher to calculate extra time than standard for a visit to Himeji.
Relying on the climate circumstances, the blooming interval of the cherry bushes surrounding Himeji Citadel varies annually. In 2023, they reached full bloom round April 1st. Ensure that to test the cherry blossom forecasts on-line earlier than visiting in spring!
Himeji Citadel Entry Charges
The overall admission charge for Himeji Citadel is ¥1,000 for adults. Nevertheless, there’s a mixed ticket for Himeji Citadel and the shut by Kōko-en Backyard that prices solely ¥1,050.
For the reason that common entrance charge for Kōko-en Backyard is ¥310, the mixed ticket is value buying. The backyard can also be a part of this Himeji itinerary, so make certain to get a ticket for each sights when following our information.
If you happen to’re planning to make use of the Himeji Vacationer Cross throughout your journey, you may get a 20% low cost on the doorway charge in these two locations.
3. Stroll By means of Himeyama Park
After exploring Himeji Citadel, it’s time to see Himeyama Park. Depart the paid space and stroll left till you attain the forking paths round Kiseimon Gate. Following the left path from there, you’ll ultimately attain Himeyama Park.
Himeyama Park stretches throughout the again aspect of Himeji Citadel. On the way in which, there are a couple of little shrines corresponding to Himeji-jinja, slightly pond and the fortress moat with loads of koi carp to see.
If you happen to’re keen on exhibitions, you even have the choice of paying a go to to the Himeji Metropolis Museum of Artwork or the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Historical past. Each of them are inside strolling distance from Himeji Citadel and Himeyama Park while you take the trail to the precise round Kiseimon Gate.
When following the course by Himeyama Park, you’ll attain the primary road in some unspecified time in the future. From there, you possibly can simply entry Kōko-en Backyard.
4. Benefit from the Serenity of Kōko-en Backyard
Turning proper after reaching the primary road in entrance of Himeji Citadel once more, it is best to end up in entrance of the doorway gate to Kōko-en Backyard. Bear in mind, you don’t want an additional ticket when you purchased the mixed ticket in Himeji Citadel.
Kōko-en opened in 1992 and options 9 totally different Japanese-style gardens which might be linked by gates, water streams and small ponds. Contained in the backyard, there’s additionally a tea home known as Soju-an. Right here, you possibly can benefit from the backyard surroundings whereas savouring a cup of inexperienced tea and conventional Japanese sweets.
Kōko-en Backyard is often open from 9 AM to five PM (final entry at 5.30 PM) however the admission hours can barely fluctuate relying on the time of the 12 months.
Throughout cherry blossom and autumn foliage season, you possibly can see the whole backyard lit up at evening. Furthermore, there are another annual occasions and exhibitions to attend. For extra data, try their official website.
5. Purchase a Memento in Miyuki Buying Avenue
Earlier than taking the prepare again to Kyoto or Osaka, there’s nonetheless a while left to discover a good restaurant and store for some souvenirs.
Miyuki Buying Avenue is a roofed arcade conveniently situated between Himeji Citadel and JR Himeji Station. You could find numerous eating places, cafés and outlets promoting native souvenirs right here.
With this, our Himeji itinerary slowly involves an finish. Relying in your connection, take the prepare again from JR Himeji Station or Sanyo-Himeji Station.
Find out how to Get to Himeji Citadel from Osaka
Fortunately, it’s tremendous straightforward to get to Himeji Citadel from Osaka. You might have totally different choices, relying on how a lot time and cash you wish to spend on transportation.
The quickest (albeit costliest) approach to get to Himeji is by Shinkansen. Take the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station to achieve JR Himeji Station inside half-hour for round ¥4,000. When utilizing the JR Pass, that is undoubtedly probably the most handy journey technique.
If you happen to’re in search of a budget-friendly choice, it is best to keep away from going by Shinkansen. From Osaka Station or Shin-Osaka Station, the particular speedy trains on the Tokaido-Sanyo Line will carry you to Himeji inside round one hour for ¥1,520. Don’t confuse this prepare line with the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen.
From Osaka-Umeda Station, you possibly can attain Sanyo-Himeji Station inside round two hours by Hanshin Line for ¥1,320.
Himeji Vacationer Cross
If you happen to occur to journey to Himeji instantly from Kansai Worldwide Airport, the Himeji Vacationer Cross is likely to be an alternative choice value contemplating. You should purchase this particular ticket for ¥2,400 within the Kansai Vacationer Data Centre in Terminal 1.
The Himeji Vacationer Cross provides you a one-way experience from Kansai Worldwide Airport to Namba Station on the Nankai Electrical Railway Line, a one-day ticket for limitless prepare rides with the Hanshin Electrical Railway and the Sanyo Electrical Railway, in addition to reductions for over 40 collaborating amenities.
With the primary ticket, you can’t exit the prepare earlier than Namba Station in your method from the airport.
The ticket for the Hanshin Electrical Railway and the Sanyo Electrical Railway is legitimate for 24 hours, beginning together with your first experience from Osaka-Namba Station. This implies you possibly can keep in Namba in a single day and use the one-day ticket to Himeji on the subsequent day.
In your approach to Himeji, you may get off the prepare in Kobe and Akashi for sightseeing.
You could find extra data on the ticket circumstances here.
Find out how to Get to Himeji Citadel from Kyoto
From Kyoto, you’ll need slightly longer to achieve Himeji than from Osaka.
A one-way journey to Himeji by Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen from Kyoto Station takes roughly 50 minutes and prices round ¥5,000. Once more, that is probably the most environment friendly journey technique when utilizing the JR Pass.
If you wish to lower your expenses, take one of many common trains departing from Kyoto Station. The particular speedy trains on the Tokaido-Sanyo Line attain Himeji in 1 hour and 40 minutes for a fare of ¥2,310 Yen.
Is Himeji Citadel Value Visiting?
Himeji Citadel is completely value visiting and makes for an important day journey vacation spot all 12 months spherical. Recognized for its elegant look and delicate architectural particulars, it’s stated to be probably the most lovely fortress in Japan.
JR Cross customers profit from the quick journey time because of the Shinkansen connection from Osaka and Kyoto. When travelling from Kansai to Hiroshima by prepare, it’s additionally tremendous straightforward so as to add a fast cease in Himeji on the way in which. It really is likely one of the best things to do in Japan.
Nevertheless, Himeji can appear a little far off when not utilizing the Shinkansen (particularly from Kyoto). If you happen to’re travelling to Japan on a good schedule, a better day trip destination like Nara might be a more sensible choice. That is additionally true in case you’re extra desirous about temples than castles.
General, you received’t want greater than half a day to 1 full day to go to Himeji. Himeji Citadel is certainly the primary attraction to see.
Conclusion – Himeji Day Journey
A day journey to Himeji Citadel from Osaka or Kyoto is usually a lovely addition to a Japan itinerary for everybody who’d like to go away Japan’s essential cities for some time.
Cherry blossom season is the most well-liked time to go to Himeji Citadel. The pink petals praise the white-grey fortress exterior completely and make for a completely beautiful view. It could possibly get crowded at the moment of the 12 months, so be ready to doubtlessly wait in line.
Do you wish to add different day journey locations from Osaka or Kyoto to your Japan itinerary? Try our guides about Kobe or Nara for extra journey concepts.
