Sightseeing

Himeji Enjoyment Plan

When people think of Hyogo Prefecture,
the stylish city of Kobe often comes to mind.
However, there are many other attractive destinations beyond Kobe.
This plan takes you on a journey to explore the historical area of Hyogo—Himeji City.

• Himeji City

  Located in the southwestern part of Hyogo, Himeji is the second most populous city in the prefecture after Kobe. With human settlements dating back to the Jomon period, it's a city steeped in history.

• 9：00

  Departure (approx. 1.5 hours)

  Start your journey from Osaka to this world-famous destination.

• 10：30

  Taiyo Park (approx. 3 hours)

  Built with the hope of letting people experience the world without leaving Japan, this park recreates famous landmarks from 8 regions across 20 countries.
  The park is divided into two main zones: the Stone Area and the Castle Area centered around Shiratori Castle.
  In the Stone Area, you'll find replicas like the Terracotta Warriors, Arc de Triomphe, Egyptian pyramids, Easter Island Moai statues, and the Statue of Liberty.
  The Castle Area features the dazzling white Shiratori Castle, modeled after Germany’s Neuschwanstein Castle. You can reach it by monorail, and the interior is wheelchair and stroller-friendly.
  There are also trick art displays inside the castle, and cafes and restaurants throughout the park make it a great lunch stop.

  

• 13：30

  Transfer (approx. 30 mins)

  Next, we head to Japan’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• 14：00

  Himeji Castle (approx. 1.5 hours)

  Himeji Castle, a prime example of 17th-century wooden castle architecture, was registered as Japan’s first UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in 1993.
  The current beautiful white main keep was shaped by the efforts of key historical figures like Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Honda Tadamasa.
  The castle’s main tower and its three smaller towers are national treasures and are among the largest surviving original castle towers in Japan.

  

• 15：30

  Transfer (approx. 10 mins)

  Next, a visit to an art hub filled with modern and contemporary masterpieces.

• 15：40

  Himeji City Museum of Art
  (approx. 1.5 hours)

  This museum houses around 5,000 pieces, including paintings, sculptures, and swords from both Japanese and Western modern art.
  You’ll find works by famous French artists such as Monet, Pissarro, Courbet, and Matisse.
  The museum itself is a piece of art—a red-brick building originally constructed as a military warehouse, now repurposed and shining against the backdrop of Himeji Castle.

  

• 17：10

  Dinner (approx. 1.5 hours)

  Here are some local specialties of Himeji you might want to try:

• Ekisoba

  A Chinese noodle dish served in Japanese-style broth—neither ramen nor traditional soba.

  

• Doro-yaki

  A local dish resembling an omelet with a crispy outside and soft inside, dipped in a light dashi broth.

  

• Chanpon-yaki

  Stir-fried mix of half Chinese noodles and half udon, seasoned with sweet soy sauce and customizable with pork or seafood.

• Himeji Oden

  Regular oden with a twist—eaten with ginger soy sauce instead of mustard.

  

• Seafood from Harima-nada

  Enjoy seasonal catches like Spanish mackerel in spring, conger eel in summer, mackerel in fall, and oysters in winter.

  

• 18：40

  After enjoying Himeji’s gourmet delights, we’ll take you back according to your schedule. Feel free to let us know your preferred time and place.