A day trip from Osaka to Himeji Castle and the Tom Cruise Movie Temple.
Joined 2023
Among the many castles in Japan, Himeji Castle is truly special. You will feel happy just to be there when you see its beautiful figure over the surrounding cherry blossom or maple trees.
It has a long and touching history. It is a must-see in Japan.
Engyoji is a huge old temple famous for being the location of the movie The Last Samurai.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At your hotel in Osaka
Himeji Castle
Himeji Castle is the most beautiful castle in Japan.
It's an original castle, amazingly survived for hundreds of years.
We use a very reasonable conventional train if you don't have a JR Pass. It will take only one hour and a little from Osaka Station.
Kokoen Garden
A beautiful Japanese garden next to the castle
lunch
There is a nice restaurant in the Kokoen Garden. If we are very lucky, we can have lunch there.
Engyoji Temple
Huge temple, famous as the location for the movie The Last Samurai.
Himeji Station
We will take a conventional train from the Himeji Station
Ending
You can choose the ending point, your hotel or the station.
Ending Point
In Osaka
Want to personalize this tour?
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
guide fee
hotel or station pickup
insurances
transportation fee for you and guide: metro and conventional train 3,520 yen (round) /per person
bus and cable cars for Engyoji Temple 2200 yen /per person
lunch for you and guide
admission fees for Himeji Castle (1,050 yen /per person)
admission fees for Engyouji (500 yen /per person)
Tour Important Information
Please wear warm socks in the cold weather.
We can eat lunch at Kokoen Garden if we are lucky.
I also take you to Engyoji Temple.
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Joined 2023
About Tour Guide Shuji O.
Hi, I am Shuji, a licensed tour guide living near Kansai International Airport.
I taught world history in high schools for four decades. So, I can explain Japanese culture or history in an easier way tailored to you who have different cultural and historical backgrounds.
I also practiced Kendo, Japanese fencing, for more than four decades, and now I enjoy growing vegetables and going fishing. Therefore, I can also share some Japanese culture and its nature.
I have traveled to more than 25 countries and all over Japan. I’m also passionate about photography and know many photogenic places in Japan.
If you prefer to go off the beaten track, I can take you to hidden gems, including some cozy restaurants. Of course, I also know how to enjoy the crowded, most popular tourist sites. I am here to make your trip stress-free. See you soon!
Reviews
Michael M.
“Wonderful day tour of Kyoto with Shuji”
Shuji was a fantastic, caring guide who listened to our wishes and took us on a mix of the top spots along with some hidden gems including. Lunch which was incredible.
Shuji O.
Thank you very much for your kind words. Your preparation for the tour was perfect. We enjoyed the cherry blossoms everywhere we went, making it a very happy day for us all. I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed it very much. We rarely see the full-bloomed cherry blossoms in such beautiful places on such a beautiful day. Please enjoy the rest of your tour in Japan.
Lexi C.
“A Perfect Day in Kyoto with Shuji ”
We had an incredible experience touring Kyoto with Shuji as our guide. He took us to some of the most beautiful places in the city, all while making the day feel effortless and smooth. Thanks to his deep knowledge of the area, Shuji was able to navigate us efficiently from one spot to the next, which allowed us to be fully present and soak in the natural beauty, especially important during this magical cherry blossom season. We felt so lucky to be here while the blossoms were in full bloom, and even luckier that Shuji knew exactly where to take us to avoid the heavy crowds. Each location felt peaceful and unrushed. He was also incredibly accommodating, adjusting the itinerary to include some special spots we wanted to see. On top of all that, he shared the rich history of each site with us, adding so much depth and meaning to our visit. We would highly recommend Shuji to anyone looking for a thoughtful, well-prepared, and genuinely kind tour guide in Kyoto. Thank you Shuji!!!!
Shuji O.
Thank you so much for your great review. It is rare to have such a wonderful trip in our lives. Kyoto was full of cherry blossoms, and it was bright and fun. Thanks to your cooperation, I could show you the wonderful places to my heart's content. I also had a lot of fun. I hope this incredible trip will become a cherished memory for both of you.
Jonathan T.
“An unforgettable Tour Experience”
Shuji was absolutely fantastic, he was knowledgeable, engaging. He went above and beyond to make our experience unforgettable. we would highly recommend Shuji to our family and friends.
Shuji O.
Thank you very much for your great review. I am glad if I could satisfy your wishes. I appreciate your perfect preparation. And we were lucky to visit Kyoto just before it gets too crowded. The cherry blossoms has just gegun to bloom the day before and we could enjoy both the ume and the cherry blossoms at the same time. It rarely happens. Yes, we were so lucky. I also enjoyed these tours very much. Thank you very much for your cooperation. Have a wonderful trip to Hiroshima!
$350/ per group
More tours by Shuji O.
Bamboo grove and Arashiyama area, three World Heritages.
Arashiyama is the hottest tourist destination. It is incredibly beautiful in spring and fall because of its cherry blossoms and autumn leaves. In the fall, the leaves turn brown or red! In the outstanding Tenryuji, you will see a beautiful garden with beautiful mountains in the background. There are many other beautiful places with touching stories in this area. On the way back to downtown, we can visit two world heritage sites, Kinkakuji and Ryoanji. What a wonderful route!
Visiting Nara from Osaka ～truly the must-see place in Japan～
Nara: the must-see place in Japan. Nara was the capital of ancient Japan before Kyoto became the capital. In the Nara era, Buddhism played an important role in stabilizing the country. So you can see many big old temples there. Many of these are listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites and are concentrated in a small area. So, if you have only one free day to spend in the Kansai area, I highly recommend visiting Nara.
The best of Kyoto in any season
Kyoto has been the capital of Japan for more than 1,200 years! There are so many historic sites and beautiful places that you will be at a loss for what to choose. Please tell me about your favorite. Considering the access, the season, and the time, I will make a suitable plan. I recommend some hidden gems if you like going off the beaten track. And also the charming famous popular tourist spots worth visiting when it is so busy. I will tell you stories to help you appreciate the place.
Walking tour in Eastern Kyoto
Since there are so many beautiful places densely in eastern Kyoto, we can take a walking tour there. Please add or skip some. This is an example of a walking tour in eastern Kyoto, emphasizing history and culture. We will use the train only once or twice.
Other Popular Day Trip Tours in Himeji
Day trip to Himeji from Osaka
Among the many castles in Japan, Himeji Castle is truly special. You will feel happy just to be there when you see its beautiful figure over the surrounding cherry blossom or maple trees. It has a long and touching history. It is definitely a must-see in Japan.
Himeji Full-Day Trip from Kyoto
I'll meet you at your hotel in Kyoto. And then we'll transfer to Himeji by the Shinkansen. We'll visit firstly Himeji Castle designated as Japan's first World Heritage Site in 1993, and ranked #7 as a place to visit among others in 2019 by NY Times, and also ranked #1 by the National Geographic Traveler. After Himeji Castle we'll head for beautiful Kokoen Japanese style garden nearby. Finally we'll go back to your hotel in Kyoto by the Shinkansen.
Himeji Castle and neighborhood 1 day trip
Himeji Castle is one of the 12 Japanese castles well conserved with their wooden keeps. Nearby the castle, Engyo-ji temple, on Mount Shosha, has got a thousand years long history. Some scene from "The last Samurai" movie were taken there. When we go back to Kobe, we can visit the Great Bridge of Akashi Kaikyo then Gigantor, statue of a robot, symbols of the revival of Japan, its technological genius and its pop culture.
1 jour de circuit autour du château de Himeji
Le château de Himeji est l’un des 12 châteaux japonais encore très bien conservés avec leurs donjons de bois encore existants. Aux alentours du château, le temple Engyo-ji, à l'histoire millénaire trône sur le mont Shosha. Lieu de tournage fréquent, ce temple a notamment été rendu célèbre par le film "Le dernier samouraï". Nous pouvons aussi aller visiter le grand pont du détroit d'Akashi puis Gigantor, symbole du renouveau du Japon, de son génie technologique et de sa culture-pop.