Explore Himeji Castle a Guided Walking Tour
Description
Explore a castle which has a rich history for over 650 years. Expert guides who know the area well will explain the miraculous story of this castle, which was miraculously unscathed by World War II, and anecdotes that you won't find in your guidebooks. You will also proceed through the six-story castle, actually touring inside the castle on each floor and experiencing the atmosphere of the time when this castle was in use. *Please note that children and elderly guests are advised to use caution as the stairs are very steep. * There are 2 types of tours: (1) Tour to enjoy Himeji Castle (2) Tour to visit Himeji Castle and Kokoen
Tour Options
Itinerary
As the majestic main entrance to this UNESCO World Heritage site, Sakuramon-bashi is a faithful recreation of the original wooden bridge that once welcomed samurai into the castle grounds. Crossing this bridge offers a breathtaking first view of the "White Heron Castle" reflecting in the moat, serving as a symbolic transition from the modern world into the historic heart of Japan’s feudal past.
Explore a castle which has a rich history for over 650 years. Expert guides who know the area well will explain the miraculous story of this castle, which was miraculously unscathed by World War II, and anecdotes that you won't find in your guidebooks. You will also proceed through the six-story castle, actually touring inside the castle on each floor and experiencing the atmosphere of the time when this castle was in use. *Please note that children and elderly guests are advised to use caution as the stairs are very steep. *
Located within the castle grounds, this well is the setting for "Banshu Sarayashiki," one of Japan’s most famous ghost stories. Legend has it that a beautiful servant named Okiku was framed for losing a precious family plate and thrown into this well, where her spirit is said to return each night to mournfully count her missing treasures. It remains a fascinating stop for those intrigued by the eerie folklore and dramatic history hidden behind the castle’s elegant walls.
**Additional Options** Kokoen is a serene garden where you can enjoy various themed Japanese gardens. Each area has a different theme and a different look.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Reviews(19)
Amazing guide!! Thanks! Guide waited for us though as uber was late.. patient!
Thank you for your review. We’re glad to hear that you enjoyed the tour!
Our guide Tak was very kind and polite, making sure we took extra time on the climb up to the castle and the interior stairs due to my leg muscle strain. This castle is fantastic and far superior to Osaka Castle. Tak took note of my interest in construction and architecture and pointed out the construction techniques that were used to put together this 400 year old structure. He also made sure we got back to the train station in time for our return to Osaka while allowing us some time in the gift shop. Thanks Tak for a wonderful afternoon!
Thank you for your review. We’re glad to hear that you enjoyed Tak's tour!
It was good. Very good. Explained by. The guide. Very attentive
Thank you for your review. We’re glad to hear that you enjoyed the tour!
Hiro, our guide was truly a hero. He was knowledgeable and very engaging. The castle and gardens were breathtaking. Climbing to the top was challenging but truly worth it.
Thank you for your review. We’re glad to hear that you enjoyed Hiro's tour!
We enjoyed the tour. Our guide was very friendly, spoke good English and, in addition to Himeji Castle, explained a lot about the culture and life in Japan today. Thank you very much Well done!!
Thank you for your review. We’re glad to hear that you enjoyed the tour!
My guide Hiro was very knowledgeable about Himeji castle and kokoen gardens providing interesting insights about the castle and Japanese culture
Thank you very much for your wonderful review. We’re glad to hear that you enjoyed Hiro's tour!
Fantastic Guide very knowledgeable. Worked at our pace. Helpful taking photos. Thsnk you Yosmura I think was the girls name. Highly reccommend
We truly appreciate your feedback! We are delighted you had a great time on our tour.
This is a tough review to write because our tour guide Hiro was such a nice guy, but totally unqualified to lead a tour. He admitted that he was new, but he should have done more reading up on Himeji Castle. His knowledge was limited to what was written next to each exhibit. He literally just read what was on there and repeated it to us. It was unreal especially when you listened to other tour guides around you and the level of detail they expressed. I ended up listening to other tours to actually learn any valuable information. In the end the two of spent about $200 usd for the Castle and garden tour. That actual cost of those sites is about $20 usd. So essentially, we spent $180 to walk around with a nice guy. If you're going to book this tour you should only do so as a last resort. Try and find a certified guide otherwise just go on your own.
Thank you very much for taking the time to share your feedback. We sincerely apologize that your experience on the Himeji Castle guided walking tour did not meet your expectations.We take your comments seriously and will share them with our team. We are committed to ensuring our guides are better prepared and trained so that future guests can enjoy a more informative and enriching experience.We sincerely apologize for the disappointment and inconvenience caused, and we truly appreciate your honest feedback.
We thoroughly enjoyed the historic and beautiful Himeji Castle largely due to our guide Hiro. He was very knowledgeable and informative. He was especially kind and helpful in ensuring our safety on the stairs and walkways. We highly recommend Hiro and this tour.
It’s wonderful to hear you enjoyed the tour with Hiro. Thank you for your feedback and for choosing us!
It was both an interesting and informative tour. My guide,Hiro was very detailed in explaining the history of Himeiji Castle. He was also patient with me as I walked slowly. Woud recommend this tour to anyone who plans to visit Himeiji Castle
We truly appreciate your feedback!We are delighted you had a great time on Hiro’s tour.
