Himeji Castle stands as the finest original castle in Japan. Brilliant white walls and layered roofs rise above the city, untouched by war, earthquake, or fire. The surrounding gardens shift with the seasons. Below the castle, the city moves at a pace that lets you actually look up.
What Himeji is known for
Top-rated in Himeji
Himeji Castle
4.6castle
Japan's largest and most pristine surviving feudal castle, nicknamed the White Heron.
Himeji Castle Garden Koko-en
4.5castle
Nine Edo-style gardens beside Himeji Castle, overlooked by most visitors heading to the main keep.
Engyōji
4.5temple
Founded in 966, this large Buddhist temple complex sits on a mountaintop surrounded by forest.
Nada Fighting
4.5culture
October 'fighting festival' at Matsubara Hachiman Shrine in Himeji where teams slam portable shrines together.
Mt. Seppiko
4.5nature
Vertical rocky crags north of Himeji attracting rock climbers across Kansai, one of Kinki's 100 Famous Mountains.
Himeji Yukata Festival
4.4culture
Three-day June festival drawing thousands to Osakabe Shrine celebrating traditional yukata summer kimono culture.
Ieshima Island
4.2nature
Collection of 44 islands off Himeji in the Seto Inland Sea, with four inhabited islands including largest Ieshima.
Yamasa Kamaboko
4.1restaurant
Culinary hotspot in Himeji offering authentic Japanese flavors.