Things to Do in Himeji

Top Things to Do in Himeji

Things to Do in Himeji


Book these experiences for a close-up look at Himeji.

Top Attractions in Himeji

These rankings are informed by traveler reviews—we consider the quality, quantity, recency, consistency of reviews, and the number of page views over time.
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Other Top Attractions around Himeji




What travelers are saying

  • Ingge P
    Paralowie, Australia103 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    There castle was as pictured, it looked majestic and so easy to imagine how the people who used to occupy the area lived around the Edo period. You need to remove shoes when you go in which was not ideal during winter as the floors are cold. I paid for the castle and the gardens, however was not able to visit the garden as there was no clear directions on how to reach it.
    Written March 9, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Mm B
    7 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    The park is gorgeous even at this time of year (early February), I can only imagine how lovely it must be at its best. The tea ceremony garden was closed due to winter (and plant protection) but othwerwise all areas if the park were open and pretty!

    I recommend getting the castle+park combination ticket, if bought separately the entry to the park is more expensive. I also recommend getting the booklet at the entrance as it helps navigate the park's differrent areas.
    Written February 10, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • David B
    York, UK39 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We were fortunate enough to come here in March when the ropeway was being maintained and so it wasn’t running. Instead we hiked up the hill path (around 45 minutes steep hike) to the top. When we arrived, we were blown away. We were pretty much the only people in the whole complex. We entered the temple to witness the incredible site of a Buddhist monk chanting. We lit incense and explored the complex in complete peace. If you get the chance, go while the ropeway is being maintained (I think they do this every year before Sakura in March) because the hike puts most people off, but the effort is beyond worth it.
    Written March 3, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Linda H
    Singapore, Singapore42 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    I planned my hiking trip to Mt Shosha. First stop was the Tourist Centre in Himeiji JR Station, where I got very detailed explanation of the local bus that plies the local route to the start point of the hike. Alas, it was rather complicated. I was able to nonetheless seek the help of locals to take a local bus to Shosha Higa Saka road and ask around for the start point. Some locals were hiking and could point me to the start point. From the start point, I followed a fellow local hiker and ascended. The hiking trail is discernable, and rocky at times. Good hiking shoes are a must, although you would not need poles. As it was a weekday, many of the shrines within Mt Shosha were closed. There were no water points. There was a ropeway station, but it was closed. The lavatory was opened though. It was a pleasant climb, watch out for rock steps, boulders and keep climbing till you reach a gong, striking the gong means you are greeting the mountain. Do make a real attempt to reach Maniden (the main shrine) and if time permits, walk further up to look at the other shrines. It is a beautiful mountain. I am glad I had ascended. Descent was same route, and back to the local bus to the Himeiji JR station. Time well spent. Difficulty level: 3.5/5.
    Written March 10, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • CanuckJames
    Nishinomiya, Japan1,498 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Middle of nowhere. Unassuming buildings. What a find!!!

    The closest station is Koro Station. From there it is a short taxi ride or about a 15-minute walk. The owner of the museum will give you a ride back to the train station. If you have a car, there is a large free parking area across from the building.

    This is the personal collection. The owner is 83 years old and he wanders around explaining the various exhibits. He was telling us about his online toy-buying sprees. Talk about a hobby consuming someone --- in a good way. His passion is infectious.

    Admission is ¥600 yen. No outside shoes are allowed inside. You get slippers and when you visit the other outbuildings, you can use one of their outside slippers.

    The primary collection is just awe-inspiring. Japanese toys down from the ages. Some amazing hand-crafted toys, the hand-crafted wooden toys, and the tin toy era, You can see how toys evolved. My favorite is the toy play area. Old wooden toys that you can play with. This is not a children's activity only. Complicated gravity-powered, centrifugal-force-powered, or motion-powered toys --- just cool.

    The outbuildings house international toys from all over the world, Japanese regional toys, and cultural Japanese toys (Coming of Age Ceremonial figurines)

    It was worth the effort to visit. If you like old toys, this place is a must-go.
    Written May 1, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Kwakaku
    Sakai, Japan2,124 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    As I'm not a mountain ascetic, I took Shoshazan Ropeway to climb Mt. Shosha to visit Engyo-ji Temple, which is the #27 member temple of the Saigoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage, which is the oldest 33 Kannon Pilgrimage in Japan.
    Written January 9, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Clara N
    Singapore, Singapore29 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    I chance upon this park on the internet when searching for attractions in Himeji. It is not very accessible and so we drove there. It is a very fun and educational park for kids. We went to there with 3 young kids and we spent almost the whole day there. There are 2 areas to the park, the castle area and the outdoor stone area (which has most of the attractions). The castle is beautiful and grand and a monorail will take you up the hill to the castle. The view from the castle is nice. Most part of the attractions within the castle is 3-D image museum like the Trick Eye Museum and Alive Museum in Singapore. It is a little disappointing as we are expecting something more grand and magnificent from the look of the exterior of the castle. But nevertheless, the kids had fun posing for pictures. Visit can be done within an hour. Lunch is available at a restaurant on the second floor of the main building at the entrance. The food is great and good serving portion.

    The outdoor stone area of the park is much more fun and the entire area is very big. We spent almost 3 hours there, climbing all the way along the "Great Wall of China" to the peak where the Twin Pagodas are located. There is a replica of the Terracottas Army site from China, although not as big as the real one, but it is magnificent enough for us. There are quite a few other attractions like the Pyramids of Egypt, the Paris’ Arc De Triomphe, the Incan Sun Pyramid, Tiananmen etc. There are many stone statues along the park including the Statue of Liberty and the Merlion.

    Will rate as 5 Stars if the interior of the castle is more interesting. But do visit if you have time to spare in Himeji.
    Written June 5, 2017
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Fanazmi
    Singapore, Singapore181 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    The guides were very helpful and they speak good English. Shared discount coupons and deal available for tourists/visitors.
    Written December 30, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Zimminaroundtheworld
    Okinawa Prefecture, Japan1,911 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    This is the main street in Himeji that links the train station with the famous Himeji Castle. It is neat to see the castle upon exiting the train station. As for the street itself, I found it to be clean but not a whole lot of shops that interested me. I prefer the arcade style streets on either side of Otemae Street. At night some of the lights around the road and train station are fun to look at, but the views of the castle are the main highlight.
    Written October 28, 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • TourismDr!
    Greensborough, Australia42 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    This a a great spot for the typical castle picture. I prefer images of different angles, but the castle was made to be tricky to be seen for its original purpose- a garrison to protect those within!
    Written December 11, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • 828TJA
    Everett, WA369 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Although the permanent collection is small, the entry fee for adults is only 200 yen so the price is appropriate. Seniors, kids, etc., are less.

    The special show (this time French impressionists) was well presented.

    In front of the museum are quite a few statues which also make the visit worthwhile.

    As you leave the train station heading north you can see Himeji Castle in the distance directly ahead. The museum is to the right (east) of the castle.

    Plan to spend half an hour to an hour including the outside statues.
    Written July 29, 2016
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Joy_Sinha
    Kolkata (Calcutta), India2,388 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    The Nada Kenka festival is a very popular festival in Himeji City. It is the fighting festival at Matsubara Hachiman shrine.
    Festival is held sometime in October.
    One of the festival floats, pictorial descriptions are on display at the ground floor of JR Himeji shinkansen station. Very bright and colourful festival float.
    Written May 16, 2018
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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