Visit the samurai city of Himeji as a day trip from Osaka. You'll regret it if you don't!

If you come to the Japanese city of Osaka, you must certainly make the short trip out to Himeji.
That's because it's home to Himeji Castle, a national treasure and World Heritage site, as well as Shoshazan Engyoji, a temple founded in the mountains in the year 996 and a sacred place where you can feel the true spirit of the samurai.

For many Japanese people, Himeji Castle is a destination they yearn to visit at least once in their lifetime.
Even though Osaka has Osaka Castle, it's nothing like Himeji Castle.
It has a special charm that attracts many Japanese people.

1. It's a real castle with over 400 years of history, and despite being made of wood, many of its structures, including the main keep, still survive today. For this reason, it's registered as a World Heritage site. In contrast, the main keep of Osaka Castle was rebuilt in 1931 with a reinforced concrete structure.
   
2. Its scale is immense, where grandeur and beauty coexist. Of all the castle ruins left in Japan, not only is it enormous in scale, but also highly valued for its artistic value and said to be the pinnacle of wooden architecture in Japan.

Shoshazan Engyoji Temple was founded in 996.
It's located in a serene mountain setting and has an air of tranquility about it.
This is why, unlike anywhere else, you can experience the samurai spirit of the Japanese people.
This is probably one of the reasons why it was chosen as a filming location for the Hollywood movie The Last Samurai.
Why not pay a visit to Shoshazan Engyoji Temple and feel the spirit of the Japanese samurai?
The abundance and tranquility of nature here is another real difference compared to the temples in Kyoto.

In addition, Himeji has plenty of parks, an aquarium, and other points of interest. There are many different sightseeing spots and a well-developed gourmet food culture. That's why it's such a popular tourist destination. Moreover, there are lots of transportation options, such as trains and buses, from Osaka to Himeji, making it easily accessible.

A visit to Himeji will surely make your Japan trip even more wonderful.
And you'll surely regret it if you go home without visiting this important tourist mecca.

You can even see the sights of Himeji as a day trip from Osaka.
That said, staying a night in Himeji will make your trip a more memorable one.

Most people visit Himeji Castle first when they arrive in the city, but we recommend you take a bus from Himeji Station to the Mt. Shosha Ropeway and go see Engyoji Temple before jumping on a local bus to Himeji Castle and its surrounds.

The view of Himeji's streets from Mt. Shosha is particularly beautiful in the morning when the air is clear, which is why we recommend you go there first.
There is even a discount package ticket that combines the round-trip bus and ropeway fares to get you from Himeji Station to Mt. Shosha, and back again.

Mt. Shosha Ropeway Package Ticket: Adult ¥1,700; Children ¥850

And if you intend to stay a night in Himeji, we recommend the Castle Town 2-Day Ticket.

Follow the link below for more information about various package tickets.

After you purchase your Mt. Shosha Ropeway Package Ticket, you're good to go.
The bus trip from Himeji Station to the Mt. Shosha Ropeway terminus takes about 30 minutes.

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Shoshazan Engyoji Temple

With a history of more than 1,000 years, this prestigious temple is surrounded by the beauty of nature.
It's also famous for being the filming location of many historical movies and dramas, including The Last Samurai.
Many people take the ropeway up to Engyoji Temple, a four-minute one-way journey. From the hilltop station you'll be rewarded with panoramic views of Himeji City. From here, the pilgrimage route continues up to the temple.
You can take a shuttle bus from here, but we recommend the 15–20 minute walk through the forest.
The approach to the temple through the forest can be a spiritual experience for many people.

The main hall is called the Mani-den, which is similar to the main hall of Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto, and behind the Mani-den there are three other halls. One of them is called the Jiki-do, where you can experience making copies of the sutras on the first floor, while on the second floor there are exhibits of treasures, such as statues of the Buddha. The Last Samurai was filmed in and around these three halls.
You'll probably need around three hours to visit this temple.

Before descending the mountain, why not take a break at the Hazuki Teahouse located in front of the Mani-den?
Snacks and souvenirs can be purchased here.
We recommend the local oden, a kind of Japanese hotpot.

Now it's time to make your way to Himeji Castle.

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Himeji Castle

Himeji Castle is one of the most beautiful and highly cherished castles in Japan. It's also known as White Egret Castle because of its beautiful exterior. Since its construction in 1609, it has undergone several renovations, but still retains its magnificent appearance today. This history adds even more value to the castle. In 1993, it became the first site in Japan to be registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site, so in 2024, it will celebrate 30 years of registration.

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Koko-en, an authentic Japanese garden

Koko-en is a garden situated right next to Himeji Castle and covers an area of approximately 33,000 square meters. It opened in 1992 and features a pond garden in the traditional Japanese style with Himeji Castle as a backdrop. It was built on the original site of the Himeji feudal lord's residence and consists of nine gardens of various sizes. A variety of flowers and trees can be admired across the changing seasons, and during cherry blossom and autumn foliage seasons, the gardens are often illuminated with special lights. It's a beautiful garden to visit and we certainly recommend it as a place to stop for a cup of matcha green tea when the weather is nice.

While it is possible to get around all of the sights mentioned here in a day, the Himeji area has so much more to see and do, so you may not be able to fully enjoy everything it has to offer in just one day. But if you have the opportunity, please do visit Himeji at least once.

　

Posted in May 2024.