Visitors start by gathering at the entrance, where knowledgeable guides provide an introduction to the castle's history and significance. As they enter the castle grounds, visitors walk through beautifully landscaped gardens, appreciating the meticulous design and seasonal beauty.
Inside the main keep, guests climb steep and narrow staircases, exploring various floors that once served as, storage spaces, and defensive positions. They learn about the ingenious defensive features, like loopholes and hidden corridors, that helped protect the castle during its storied past. Visitors also marvel at the intricate wooden construction and ingenious architectural design.
The tour often includes visits to the top floor of the main keep, providing breathtaking panoramic views of Himeji City and the surrounding landscape. Throughout the tour, guides share anecdotes and historical insights, bringing the castle's past to life.
After meeting at Himeji Station, we will collect our bicycles and proceed to the shopping street in the castle town. There, we will visit a Japanese sweets shop with a history spanning over 300 years and sample Tamatsubaki, a refined Japanese confection that was once presented to feudal lords within the castle. We will then explore the magnificent Himeji Castle, also referred to as Shirasagi-jo, meaning White Egret Castle.
After ascending to the summit of Himeji Castle, we will cycle through the historic castle town and savor a Japanese lunch at a restaurant located in the castle town. We'll then proceed to a shrine that offers picturesque spot for capturing beautiful photographs of Himeji Castle.
Relax and enjoy a cup of tea in Kokoen, a beautiful Daimyo garden.
After exploring the shrine, we will cycle once more around Himeji Castle, heading to the picturesque Kokoen Garden. Following a leisurely cup of tea at a café within the garden, we will make our way back to the station.
Explore the scenic countryside of Yasutomi in Himeji City on a guided cycling tour that blends nature, culture, and local charm.
Begin with a peaceful ride to Shikagatsubo and enjoy a short forest hike to a quiet reservoir surrounded by seasonal greenery.
Then visit Tomisu-no-Sato for a unique radon therapy session inside an actual mine tunnel — a dry, non-bathing wellness experience. A simple local lunch is served before or after.
In the afternoon, stop at Anji Inari Shrine to learn about local traditions, then visit Shimomura Sake Brewery to discover their brewing process and enjoy a sake tasting.
End the tour at Yuzu Kobo, where you can shop for yuzu-based products made with local fruit.
Perfect for travelers seeking a relaxed cultural experience in the Japanese countryside. Suitable for all fitness levels.
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
Explore the history of sake brewing in Harima Province on a scenic cycling tour through rural landscapes.
Visit historic sites such as Ichinomiya Shrine, which holds the oldest written records of sake brewing in Japan, along with culturally significant spots like Niwata Shrine and Iwa Shrine. Ride comfortably on an electric bicycle as you glide through tranquil nature and countryside. Enjoy a healthy, locally sourced fermented food lunch, and conclude the tour with a visit to a sake brewery, where you'll learn about the traditional sake-making process. This is a cultural and culinary experience not to be missed.
This tour offers a rare opportunity to experience the spiritual and architectural grandeur of Engyoji Temple, a 1,000-year-old Buddhist sanctuary tucked away atop the serene slopes of Mount Shosha. Unlike typical temple visits, this experience begins with a scenic ropeway ride that lifts you above the forest canopy and into a world of quiet reverence. With a knowledgeable guide, you’ll explore sacred halls like the breathtaking Mani-den and the historic San-no-do trio, walk through mossy forest paths, and learn about the temple’s role in Japan’s religious history as well as its appearance in The Last Samurai. This tour combines nature, culture, and history in one unforgettable journey—ideal for travelers seeking depth, atmosphere, and authentic spiritual beauty in Japan.
Discover the Timeless Beauty of Himeji Castle & Kokoen Garden
Step into Japan’s rich past with a guided tour of Himeji Castle, the nation's most iconic and best-preserved feudal fortress. Nicknamed the “White Heron Castle” for its elegant, soaring appearance, this UNESCO World Heritage Site has stood untouched by war or disaster since the 1600s.
Our expert guide will lead you through the castle’s impressive 6-story main keep, revealing hidden defensive designs, architectural marvels, and captivating stories of samurai, royalty, and resilience.
After exploring the castle, relax in the peaceful Kokoen Garden—a stunning collection of nine Edo-style gardens featuring koi-filled ponds, tea houses, and seasonal blooms. It’s the perfect way to balance history with harmony.
Join us for an unforgettable journey that blends majestic architecture, living history, and serene nature—all in one exceptional experience.
Experience the refined Japanese art of Nuno KINTSUGI in Himeji — a hands-on textile workshop that gives new life to antique kimono fabric.
Guided by skilled artisans, participants restore aged cloth through calm, mindful creation, feeling how each touch brings warmth and quiet beauty.
No needles or gold are used — only the sense of touch and a dialogue with the fabric itself.
Held in Himeji, a city with deep kimono heritage, this small-group session offers bilingual guidance (English / Japanese).
All materials included; no experience required.
Experience traditional Japanese indigo dyeing in a historic Taisho-era cotton house in Himeji. Guided by the expert Zembei-san, unleash creativity by choosing items and patterns for your unique indigo-dyed masterpiece. Engage in an immersive dyeing process, and take home a personalized, handcrafted souvenir. Ideal for craft lovers and culture enthusiasts, this interactive workshop offers a memorable journey into Japan's rich textile heritage. Join us for an artistic adventure, perfect for families, friends, and solo explorers!
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
Mt. Shosha Ropeway operation is suspended from January 20 2025 to March 23 2025 due to regular inspections and maintenance.
This value-packed trip with a government-licensed and experienced multilingual tour guide is a fantastic and efficient way to explore Himeji!
Himeji is home to Japan's biggest and best-preserved feudal-era castle, Himeji-jo. Its white-plaster facade and elegant presence earned it the nickname Shirasagi-jo (White Egret Castle). Widely considered Japan's finest castle, it is worthy as the focus of a day trip to the area.
Let us know what you would like to experience and we will customize a four-hour tour that's best for you!
Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary.
Note*2: The National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.
Discover Himeji Castle, Japan’s first World Heritage Site, a majestic white fortress renowned for its unparalleled blend of defensive prowess and stunning beauty. Step into the shoes of a samurai and experience this iconic castle as if you were launching an attack. Your adventure begins at Himeji Station, where the castle’s grandeur unfolds before you. Cross the moats and gates, designed to thwart invaders, and enter the castle grounds. Explore the Nishi-no-Maru, the living quarters of the princess and her attendants, to get a taste of Edo-period life. Navigate through a labyrinth of defensive systems leading to the main keep. Confront intricate mazes, hidden traps, and elevated battlements. Upon reaching the tenshu, be rewarded with breathtaking views of the city.
This is a bar hopping tour led by a local guide, visiting around three local izakayas,some of which are hidden gems that locals visit and that you wouldn't get to see on your own.
Let's enjoy some delicious food and drinks together.
Experience a simulated auction at the Kakogawa Meat Market.
Witness the meat processing at Daiju Shoten, observing how beef carcasses are deboned. at Hirai.
Let's try to experience cutting meat under the guidance of a professional butcher.
Tasting unique shabu-shabu lunch featuring a Kobe beef meat cake, a truly special culinary experience‼
Gain a deeper understanding of Kakogawa's meat industry and learn about the fascinating world of meat production.
This tour allows customers to enjoy both World Heritage Himeji Castle and Akashi Kaikyo Bridge. Fondly called the White Heron Castle, Himeji Castle takes pride in its rich history of 400 years. Experience the beauty of Japanese architecture and the ingenuity from the age of samurai. For lunch, savor a buffet prepared with local ingredients. Afterwards, visit Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, one of the world's longest suspension bridges. From the Maiko Marine Promenade, take in the stunning scale of the bridge from up close, and behold the impressive sight of cars and boats passing by. Look forward to a satisfying tour brimming with history, modern architecture, the scenery of the sea, and gourmet cuisine.
Begin your journey at JR Himeji Station and cycle to Mt. Tegara. Experience the spiritual side of cycling as you pedal through the city.
Visit Tegarayama Peace Park, home to a memorial tower built with donations from private citizens to commemorate the civilian victims from around the country who died in air raids during World War II.
Check out the Himeji Historical Peace Center and participate in a one thousand paper crane origami workshop. Fold origami cranes and pray for peace.
Conversations will be in simple English or using a smartphone translation app. For the explanation, an audio recording is mainly used in order to convey the information as accurately as possible.