Things to do in Himeji
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Top 10 attractions in Himeji
Himeji Castle
Himeji Castle is a castle located in Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. It is also known as Egret Castle due to its white exterior walls. Together with Kumamoto Castle and Matsumoto Castle, it is called the three famous cities in Japan. Due to its high degree of preservation, it is known as the No. 1 Castle in Japan and the first National Treasure Castle in Japan to be registered as a World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. Himeji Castle is located in the center of Himeji and is the main symbol of the city. Many period dramas and movies are also filmed here. Himeji Castle is located in the southern traffic hub of Hyogo Prefecture, with elegant style and many historical sites. It is a historical city in Japan. The castle consists of 83 buildings, it has a highly developed defense system and elaborate guards. Castles also contribute to our understanding of Japanese feudal culture that began during the Shogunate era.Himeji · 2.8 km from downtown
Koko-en Garden
Koko-en Garden is a Japanese garden located in Himeji Park (Himeji Castle) in Himeji, built to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the city's municipal administration. Koko-en Garden is named after the Kokodo, a feudal school of the Sakai clan that existed near the garden entrance since the Edo period. The garden consists of nine distinct garden areas, including the Oyashiki-no-Niwa, Cha-no-Niwa, Tsukiyama-Chisen-no-Niwa, Matsu-no-Niwa, Natsuki-no-Niwa, Nagare-no-Hiraniwa, Take-no-Niwa, and Hana-no-Niwa.Himeji · 2.5 km from downtown
Himeji Central Park
Himeji Central Park has a large leisure facility with a safari park, amusement park, swimming pool and ice skating rink. The safari park can be driven by car or on a garden bus, and you can see carnivores and herbivores up close from the window, walk to watch free-range waterfowl and kangaroos, and even take a cable car to see the animals from the air. The amusement park in the park has airships, free-fall, Ferris wheel, etc., exciting amusement equipment. In addition, there is a large leisure pool "Water World" that is only open in summer.Himeji · 9.5 km from downtown
Engyōji
Engyoji - Maniden is located at 2968 Shosha, Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture. It is an ancient Tendai sect temple founded in 966 (Kōhō 3) by the monk Shoku. Known as the Mount Hiei of the West, it was visited by the Retired Emperor and is counted among the three great Tendai training grounds, along with Mount Hiei and Daisen. Mount Shosha is lush with trees. There is a cable car for the ascent and descent, which takes you halfway up the mountain. From there, you can walk up the gentle mountain path, lined with Buddhist statues offered by devotees. After getting off the cable car, it is a 15-minute walk to the Nio-mon, and crossing the Nio-mon brings you into the grounds of Engyōji. The grounds are densely covered with tall cedar forests, creating a very serene atmosphere. The temple also houses many important cultural properties built during the Muromachi period, such as the Daikodo (Great Lecture Hall), the bell tower, the Jikido (Refectory), the Jogyodo, and the Juryoin.Himeji · 8.5 km from downtown
Universal Studios Japan
There are thrilling rides themed around Hollywood's superstar movies, fantastic performances by popular cartoon characters, and more, so everyone can have fun! Featuring the world's first Nintendo theme park, experience the world of Super Mario in an immersive way! Festive limited parades and float tours! Everyone is a protagonist in this enthusiastic parade where everyone is full of passion and vigor! Universal Studios Japan (“USJ”) in Osaka is one of the world's five Universal Studios theme parks, which opened for business in 2001 and is a classic and wonderful world of fun in the hearts of many visitors. It is similar in design to Universal Studios Orlando in the U.S., with popular parks such as Jurassic Park, Hollywood, and Waterworld, and more than 60 fun-filled attractions. With these attractions, you can enjoy a day of fun and entertainment at Universal Studios Japan. Universal Studios Japan is also home to popular themed IP parks such as “Super Nintendo World (Mario/Super Mario)”, “Minion Park” and “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter”. Whether it's interacting with the minions, riding on Mario Kart, or traveling through the Wizarding World of Hogwarts, it's an unforgettable experience that is full of excitement. △“Super Nintendo World” is the world's first Nintendo theme park built by Nintendo in cooperation with Universal Studios Japan. With the globally popular Super Mario as the protagonist, the game's Kuba Castle, Princess Brigitte's Castle, and the Mushroom Kingdom are reproduced 1:1 in a super-realistic way, providing immersive experiences of the world of Super Mario! △The “Freeze Ray Sliders” and “Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem” will get you involved in a huge farce and heat wave with the minions! The Minions have finally fulfilled their ambitions! All of humanity will be a part of the mayhem at the Minion Park! △Embracing a variety of areas with unique characteristics, wonderment and surprise, Universal Studios Japan covers a whole spectrum of world-class entertainment through thrilling rides and shows themed on blockbuster Hollywood movies, as well as seasonal events for all ages to enjoy. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ will reproduce the world from the Harry Potter™ stories, bringing it to life on a phenomenal scale at Universal Studios Japan.Osaka · 70.2 km from Himeji
Taiyō Park
This is a theme park where you can rent gorgeous ethnic costumes in the castle area and see the Terracotta Warriors.Himeji · 9.6 km from downtown
Himeji City Aquarium
Himeji · 1.1 km from downtown
Ōtemae Park
Himeji · 2.3 km from downtown
Main Keep of Himeji Castle
Himeji · 2.8 km from downtown
Himeji City Zoo
Himeji · 2.6 km from downtown
Experiences you can't miss in Himeji
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Featured Outdoor experiences in Himeji
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What travelers say about Himeji
河蟹的夏天August 1, 2026
4.0
Himeji Castle is an expensive, dapper castle, more expensive than Kumamoto Castle, Osaka Castle, and Nagoya Castle combined. It's 2500 yen per person, 2600 yen with a garden, and 2000 yen per person for groups of 30 or more. Himeji Castle is truly enormous, roughly the same size as Osaka Castle and Nagoya Castle, and much larger than Kumamoto Castle, Gifu Castle, Inuyama Castle, and Wakayama Castle. However, it's incredibly tiring; Japanese castles are always exhausting. Only Kokura Castle and Osaka Castle have elevators that allow you to climb floors one by one. Climbing six floors in the others is really tough on the legs. I recommend visiting Himeji Castle, but it's definitely a rip-off.
Himeji Castle
KzosJanuary 21, 2025
5.0
The interior scenery and layout are perfect, and it is extremely suitable for taking photos or wearing kimonos. You don't need to buy tickets at the gate, but can buy a combination ticket directly at Himeji Castle for only 1050 yen (Himeji Castle 1000 + Kokoen 50), which is so cost-effective that it is basically free.
Koko-en Garden
TracyhoooooooApril 18, 2023
4.0
💬 Integrate a zoo and an amusement park into one
💬 You can take a ride to see various wild animals up close, and watch the feeding process of white lions and tigers while walking in the walking area.
💬 The amusement park has Japan’s earliest roller coaster, jumping machine and other thrilling rides
Himeji Central Park
泰宁根吴承恩October 24, 2019
5.0
This is a temple with a very long history. It is made of wood but looks very solid. The overall brown tone is very cool. It is a place with a very Zen atmosphere, quiet and peaceful. Very comfortable.
Engyōji
Ganbileg0409October 23, 2026
5.0
Had a great time with my family it was way better than disney land
Universal Studios Japan
_GG***02July 27, 2023
4.0
I was curious about the Western-style castle I could see on the mountain while driving through the city of Himeji, and now I finally know what it was. Although it's not very well made, it seems that many people visit to take cosplay photos. I wonder why it's here, but I hope it continues to do its best.
Taiyō Park
