Day trip

Himeji Castle

Himeji, Kyoto

Address
68 Honmachi, Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture 〒670-0012 兵庫県姫路市本町68番地
Hours
Daily
9:00 to 17:00

Last entry 16:00. Closed 29 and 30 December.

Source: himejicastle.jp, checked 11 Oct 2026.

The white walls and stacked roofs of Himeji Castle's main keep rising above its stone walls
Photo: Mat / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

Himeji Castle is the White Heron Castle, named for its white walls, and few castles in Japan are as well preserved. It reached its present form in 1609, and you can climb the five-tiered main keep for a view over the whole city. It's been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993.

Nearest station Himeji (JR)
Cost ¥¥¥
Time needed Full day
Best time Right at opening

Insider tip

The JR Special Rapid from Kyoto takes about an hour and a half. From Himeji Station it's a 20-minute walk, or take the Shinki bus to Himeji-jo Otemon-mae. Entry is ¥2,500 for adults and free for under-18s. The way up to the keep is all slopes and steep stairs, about as hard as a short mountain hike.

What the guides say about Himeji Castle

From here Nara is about 35 minutes away on the Kintetsu limited express, Uji 17 minutes on the JR Miyakoji Rapid and Himeji about an hour and a half on the JR Special Rapid (the castle's a 20-minute walk from the station). Osaka's about 30 minutes on the JR Special Rapid, and Fushimi Inari Taisha about 9 on the JR Nara Line. The day trips guide has more.

View on the interactive map Google Maps directions

Nearby

Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple · 90.7 km away About 1,200 stone rakan crowd the hillside at Otagi Nenbutsu-ji, at the top end of the Saga-Toriimoto road, each with its own expression. Daihikaku Senko-ji Temple · 90.7 km away About 1 km upstream from Togetsukyo, some 200 stone steps climb from the river to this small temple. Ayu Chaya Hiranoya Cafe · 90.7 km away Hiranoya has stood at the foot of Atago Shrine's first torii for about 400 years, dealing in sweetfish from the Hozu River and serving tea to... Adashino Nenbutsu-ji Temple · 90.9 km away Adashino was a burial ground from the Heian period on, and in the middle of the Meiji era local people gathered up the stone markers scattered across... Gio-ji Temple · 91.0 km away Gio-ji is a small thatched nunnery hidden in bamboo and maples, with a story straight out of The Tale of the Heike. Nison-in Temple · 91.1 km away Nison-in is named for its two main images, a Shaka who sends souls off and an Amida who welcomes them, a gilded pair carved in the mid-Kamakura...

Good to know

What is the address of Himeji Castle?
68 Honmachi, Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture (in Japanese: 兵庫県姫路市本町68番地).
What are the opening hours of Himeji Castle?
Daily 9:00 to 17:00. Last entry 16:00. Closed 29 and 30 December.
How do I get to Himeji Castle?
The nearest station is Himeji (JR). Himeji Castle is in Himeji, Kyoto.
How much does Himeji Castle cost?
Himeji Castle is at the higher end, marked ¥¥¥ on the site's price scale.
How long do you need at Himeji Castle?
Plan for full day.
When is the best time to visit Himeji Castle?
Right at opening.

Stay near Himeji Castle

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