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.
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 or Osaka station
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.
lunch
There are many types of restaurants near the castle and the Himeji Station.
Kokoen
Beautiful Japanese Garden.
You will enjoy it in any season.
Ending point
At your hotel in Osaka or Himeji/Osaka station
Ending Point
At your hotel in Osaka or Himeji/Osaka station
Want to personalize this tour?
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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 from Osaka Station: conventional train 3,040 yen (round) /per person
If we meet at Himeji Station, please pay the guide 3,040 yen
lunch for you and guide
admission fees for Himeji Castle (1,050 yen /per person) for you only
Tour Important Information
Please wear warm socks in the cold weather.
We can eat lunch at Kokoen Garden if we are lucky.
Please remember: Himeji Castle is very busy during the high season.
Especially in cherry blossom season, holidays, and weekends.
Please wear warm socks during the cold season.
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
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
Luis felipe G.
“Kyoto in a Rush”
With so much to see in beautiful Kyoto we were left with a desire to come back. Shuji, a former History teacher, made our tour memorable. He was very accomodating on our needs and showed us what we were most interested. We were lucky to be in Kyoto at the peak of the fall and had opprtunity to see the autum colors in full blown. Shuji took us to the mecca of the fall where we were amazed at the sights. Thank you for such a memorable tour
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Shuji O.
Thank you for the kind words. Yes, Kyoto has many wonderful places. I'm so sorry there were no time to going to the Kinkakuji Temple. We had to go back to the ship in time. I was very happy to talk about history. I was surprised to see how much you know about Japan. We also enjoyed talking about Ken Follett's novels. If we had more time, I could show you more places. Yes, please come back to Japan again. Thank you so much for the fun time!
Shannon L.
“Excellent guide and experience”
Shuji took my group on two day trips for Osaka: Nara and Himeji Castle. They absolutely loved Shuji and I appreciated his quick replies to messages; it was very easy to work with him. Highly recommend, and I'll be using Shuji again for other trips in that area.
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Shuji O.
Thank you so much for kind words. I thought we would miss the best time to see the fall leaves, but we still enjoyed them. In Nara, deer greeted us as if they were old friends. We went to a lot of really pretty places, like the Isuien Garden. It was so comfortable there. Himeji Castle was also stunning, and we were able to visit and relax there. We were lucky because there weren't many visitors. We could also use the nice restaurant. Thank you for the nice gifts. Yes, I want to travel with you all again!
David B.
“A Wonderful Autumn Day in Kyoto”
My wife and our friend spent a wonderful day with Shuji walking throughout eastern Kyoto. He patiently worked with me ahead of time to tweak his standard Eastern Kyoto walking tour itinerary, responding promptly to all messages and making helpful suggestions. On the day of the tour, he arrived promptly at our hotel and ably led us on our adventure. Highlights (for me) included the off-the-beaten-path Komyo-in Temple, with its lovely dry landscape garden and its stunning art exhibit upstairs, as well as a visit to the Sanjūsangen-dō Temple with its 1001 Kannon sculptures (plus another one, that Shuji will show you) and 28 incredible guardian deity sculptures. Throughout the day, Shuji provided background information, patiently answered questions, took pictures, and was always ready to make adjustments as needed. All in all, a delightful experience!
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Shuji O.
Thank you for the kind words. Yes, it was a really wonderful day. I hadn't expected to see fall foliage, thinking it would be a little early. But we could enjoy them very much already. We could choose a secret route to avoid the crowd, for the sake of your agreement. The tour was comfortable, and the weather was nice. We don't often have such a nice day. Thank you so much!
$225/ per group
More tours by Shuji O.
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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.
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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.
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Visiting Nara from Osaka ~truly the must-see place in Japan~
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Visiting Nara from Osaka ~truly the must-see place in Japan~
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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
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A day trip from Osaka to Himeji Castle and the Tom Cruise Movie Temple.
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.
A day trip from Osaka to Himeji Castle and the Tom Cruise Movie Temple.
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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
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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
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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
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