Castle & Palace · Himeji
Himeji Castle 姫路城
Japan's largest and best-preserved original castle, the 'White Heron Castle', a National Treasure and UNESCO World Heritage site.
Hours9:00-17:00 (until 18:00 Jun-Aug); last entry 1 hour before closing
ClosedDecember 29-30
PriceAdult (castle only): ¥2,500
Castle and Kokoen Garden: ¥2,600
Castle and Kokoen Garden: ¥2,600
Getting thereJR/Sanyo Himeji Station, 20 min walk or short bus ride
Time needed2-3 hours
Best timeLate March to early April (cherry blossoms)
Address68 Honmachi, Himeji, Hyogo 670-0012
Websitehimejicastle.jp/en
About
Himeji Castle has survived wars, earthquakes and bombing since its main keep was completed in 1609. Visitors pass through a maze of gates, baileys and turrets before climbing the six floors of the main keep. The white plastered walls and layered roofs are especially striking in cherry blossom season.
Highlights
- Original six-storey main keep (National Treasure)
- Maze-like defensive gates and baileys
- West Bailey and the Long Corridor
- Cherry blossoms around the grounds
Tips
- Arrive near 9:00; queues to enter the keep can be long
- E-tickets skip the ticket counter line
- Combined ticket adds Kokoen Garden next door
Open in Google Maps · Info checked 2026-10-11
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Open in the appNearby
- Sojuan Tea House (Koko-en Garden)Tea Houses & Shops · 400 m away
- Kokoen GardenGarden · 430 m away
- Himeji 588 GuesthouseStay · 690 m away
- Shironoshita GuesthouseStay · 930 m away
- Matcha Salon Hitokoto (Himeji)Tea Houses & Shops · 2.1 km away
- Engyoji Temple (Mount Shosha)Temple · 6.4 km away
- Himeji Central ParkTheme Park · 6.9 km away
- Tatsuno CastleCastle & Palace · 14.0 km away