Himeji Day Trip Guide: Best Things to Do in One Day

How to get to Himeji?

Himeji lies between Hiroshima and Osaka so it is perfectly connected by public transport and planning a day trip to Himeji is very easy. The easiest solution is to use the train, but how to choose the right train to visit Himeji?

JR line and Hanshin serve the city amazingly and the train station is located only 20 minutes walk from the castle. If you don’t want to walk, there is a shuttle bus that will take you to the castle in a few minutes. 

Shinkansen will give you the chance to reach Himeji from Osaka in less than 40 minutes, while the Hanshin line will take at least one hour more.

If you are visiting Himeji from Hiroshima, the Shinkansen train will take you to Himeji in 50 minutes. No matter what will be your starting point or choice my recommendation is to buy a pass in advance in order to save time and money.

In order to save time and money and get the best out of your one day in Himeji, you can purchase:

• Kansai Thru Pass for 3 days (without JR trains): buy here
• JR Pass for 3 days: buy here

How to get around Himeji?

Himeji’s main attractions are located in the central part of the city, so moving around won’t be a big problem. Especially if you like to walk and the weather is nice.

As I said, the castle stands only 20 minutes walk from the station and there are shuttle services that will take you to the landmark. The ticket costs 100 JPY, but there is also a daily pass in case you want to explore around.

You can find also several taxis outside the station in case you want to want to enjoy all the things to see in Himeji in one day.

One day Himeji itinerary

Visit the Himeji Castle

Obviously, your one-day Himeji itinerary starts with the majestic castle. This is one of the most visited and best-preserved castles in all of Japan and it comes with a charming long history. 

The Himeji Castle was the first in Japan to be registered as part of the UNESCO Heritage, and its nickname is “Hakuro-Jo” which means White Heron Castle. Despite the beautiful appearance, the castle had a very solid structure, in consideration of its defensive purpose.

Surprisingly, the castle had a long decadent time. In fact, the structure was abandoned, at the same time as the end of the Samurai Era, and the government even decided to demolish it. Thanks to its historical value the castle was saved from destruction.

Try matcha ice cream with a view

One of the best things to do in Himeji for one day is to try the famous Matcha ice cream. In front of the castle entrance, you will find some teahouses, shops, and stands that will serve you one.

My recommendation is Harimaya teashop Castle Mae, which was one of the top ice cream matcha I had in Japan and something you must add to your one day in Himeji’s itinerary.

If matcha is not your thing, you can try other traditional flavors like roasted tea, typical Japanese sweets, or Japanese sweets with a twist.

This is also the perfect place to buy some souvenirs from Japan, as you can find tea sets, matcha, cups, and much more. Overall, it is a perfect spot to relax after visiting Himeji Castle.

Capture the beauty of Kokoen Garden

Another essential thing to see in Himeji in one day is the Kokoen Garden. This Japanese-style garden is built on the former site of the feudal lord’s west residence.

The garden is designed to reflect the different styles and trends of Japanese gardens throughout history, and it is meticulously maintained to ensure that it looks beautiful all year round.

Visitors can enjoy walking along the garden’s paths, admiring the carefully landscaped ponds, waterfalls, and bridges, and relaxing in the peaceful atmosphere of the garden.

Kokoen Garden also offers visitors the opportunity to experience traditional Japanese tea ceremonies that are held regularly in the tea ceremony garden.

Take a boat ride

One of the best things to do in Himeji is the boat ride along the Otemae River, which runs through the city and offers views of Himeji Castle from a different perspective.

The boat ride takes around 20 minutes and is a relaxing way to enjoy the scenery while learning about the history and culture of Himeji.

Boat rides are available year-round, although the schedules may vary depending on the season and weather conditions. Tickets can be purchased at the boat ride locations, and prices are very affordable.

It is a perfect way to rest during your day trip to Himeji while still absorbing the stunning views and history of the city.

Himeyama Saryou

An ultimate Himeji in a one-day itinerary must include the flavors of Japan. Himeyama Saryou is one of the best restaurants in Himeji to experience a taste of Japan and wonderful hospitality. 

The restaurant offers a very Japanese ambiance and embodies wonderfully the spirit of the country. Your food will be not only delicious but also served in an aesthetic way in order to please your eyes.

The ingredients and products are the freshest you can find. Here I tried one of the best tempura of my life, while my partner was impressed by the raw fish. Don’t leave without trying their famous tea and their matcha fondue! 

Otokoyama Haisuiike park

I could define Otokoyama Haisuiike Park as a hidden gem in Himeji since a lot of visitors tend to miss this spot when visiting the city. It is a must if you are wondering what to do in Himeji for one day.

This is not only a place where you can appreciate nature but also one of the best viewpoints to admire the Himeji castle. You will have to make some steep steps so make sure you are ready to climb them.

On your way, you can find some cute shrines to make the climb enjoyable and spiritual. I liked in particular Jionji temple. If your itinerary is not too tight and you are spending three or two days in Himeji, come here for sunset or sunrise to take an epic photo of Himeji Castle.

Engyoji Temple

Engyoji Temple is probably one of the most impressive temples I have seen in Japan. If you travel to Himeji make sure you have some time to visit this beautiful site, as most visitors tend to miss it. 

This large Buddhist temple complex dates back to 966 and it seems that time here really stopped. The complex is surrounded by mountains and forests. The wooden temples blend perfectly with the surrounding creating a mystic and unique atmosphere.

This location is also famous since some moments of the movie “The Last Samurai” were filmed here. These are just some of the reasons to add the Engyoji temple to your Himeji itinerary, personally, this was one of the highlights of my Japan trip.

The temple is located approximately 10 kilometers away from the castle, but it is well-connected and easy to reach. Bus number 8 is probably the best option, but it is not very frequent.

Alternatively, you can take the ropeway to get to the temple, it will cost you 1000 JPY for a roundtrip. The taxi will take you there in less than 20 minutes.

Visit a car museum

Your day trip to Himeji ends with visiting one of the coolest museums in the city and it’s a great way to explore Himeji beyond the most touristic locations. It is still an interesting sight even if you are not into cars, but I will leave this last stop totally optional.

Torino Museum has an impressive private collection of fantastic vintage cars including Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Mercedes. Of course, you will also find some of the finest Japanese classics, all of them displayed wonderfully.

On-site, you can also find one of the fanciest restaurants in Himeji. Corniche restaurant overlooks the castle of Himeji and it’s a perfect way to end your day trip to Himeji in style. Trying their specialty, the acclaimed Kobe beef is an absolute must!