/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/13485/616e13a0-c618-4120-a208-6fff6bcaa06a.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/13485/2a59153a-9d74-4987-b07f-c9b1367d7160.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/13485/780a8ae1-b1f1-47de-96a4-d7240da3d2ec.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/13485/daed2b6f-ea19-44e4-93a7-8b4e57731621.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/13485/afe68d6b-d3bb-420a-8741-2e99dc9dc9a2.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/13485/168ca24e-c47e-479d-be9a-14c39e48ddf2.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/13485/e4ae8638-517a-447f-8313-e8f414e040d9.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/13485/3d3b7bd1-fcf0-4cee-8fc5-45e478d51522.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/13485/3dfd67bc-74af-405b-96f3-0c3866699c67.jpg)
A day trip from Osaka to Himeji Castle and the Tom Cruise Movie Temple.
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/46733/f91fb200-8cd3-42eb-ab83-22445375e494.png)
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
Judi J.
“Kobe to Kyoto: enchanting and amazing!”
Shuji is an amazing person to guide you through the Kobe Osaka Kyoto area. He’s a great communicator prior to the tour in terms of setting up the itinerary. He took us on the bullet train from Kobe to Kyoto. We then toured some amazing sites in Kyoto, spending a full day. He is very knowledgeable and a great communicator in both the Japanese and English languages. I highly recommend a tour with Shuji. Such a pleasant, informative and friendly gentleman.
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/160x160/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/46733/f91fb200-8cd3-42eb-ab83-22445375e494.png)
Shuji O.
Thank you for the kind words. We had a great time with your friend. If we had more time, we could have enjoyed the tour more. You are great travelers who know how to enjoy traveling. Thank you for your kindness. I hope you enjoy Kagoshima too! Thank you!
Michael C.
“Great day at Himeji”
We had a great day with Shuji. Thankfully, he was with us to navigate Osaka Station and get us on the proper train to Himeji. Once in Himeji, we visited the castle, with Shuji teaching us its history along the way. After the castle, we had lunch and visited the beautiful gardens near the castle. He took pics with his phone throughout the day and airdropped them to us at the conclusion of the tour. It's a long day when you include both legs of the train ride, but Shuji helped us a lot and was very informative about the history of the area and the castle. Great tour!
Shuji O.
Yes, it was a nice tour. Thank you for the great review. Since it was a little late for the cherry blossoms, we could enjoy the World Heritage castle very much. Yes, it’s really worth visiting. We could enjoy the wonderful restaurant too. I failed it at the best cherry season. We were so lucky. Thank you for the happy tour!
Hamilton H.
“Customized Tour with Deep Knowledge”
Shuji loves history and his passion for sharing stories from the past fills the tour with fun and informative anecdotes about the places you visit. We toured with two children and they remained engaged even in quiet and philosophically demanding places.
Shuji O.
Thank you so much for your wonderful words. The kids were absolutely adorable, and it turned out to be a really fun trip. Vivi was full of energy and just bursting with joy. It felt like I was tagging along on a fun family vacation, but I had a great time too. Thank you so much again!
$376/ per group
More tours by Shuji O.
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/11957/2d5fdd42-fd1a-4f29-a2db-d4009ef32373.jpg)
The best of Kyoto, tailored to your requests.
Kyoto has been the capital of Japan for more than 1,000 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.
The best of Kyoto, tailored to your requests.
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/12289/174364.jpg)
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!
Bamboo grove and Arashiyama area, three World Heritages.
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/12337/181979.jpg)
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.
Visiting Nara from Osaka ～truly the must-see place in Japan～
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/13001/67e41b2c-77cd-41dd-92db-adbe4e6918dd.jpg)
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.
Walking tour in Eastern Kyoto
Other Popular Day Trip Tours in Himeji
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/13015/616e13a0-c618-4120-a208-6fff6bcaa06a.jpg)
Day trip to Himeji Castle 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.
Day trip to Himeji Castle from Osaka
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/8241/124678.jpg)
Takeda Castle Ruins in the Sky, Tour from Himeji
If you are interested in Japanese castles, this is the perfect one day tour for you! Starting from Himeji where world cultural heritage Himeji Castle is located, you can learn and enjoy different type of Japanese castle, mountaintop castle. Takeda Castle Ruin is a national important cultural property (historic site) of Japan and located on a mountain 354m above sea level. You can enjoy a magnificent stone wall, most of which are original and preserved for more than 400 years on the mountain top.
Takeda Castle Ruins in the Sky, Tour from Himeji
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/160x160/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/31793/95720.png)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/5524/94208.jpg)
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.
Himeji Castle and neighborhood 1 day trip
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/160x160/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/20394/94147.png)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/5525/94207.jpg)
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.
1 jour de circuit autour du château de Himeji