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Himeji Castle and Koko-en Garden Half Day Walking Tour

Highlights

Himeji

English

4 hours

Private tour (only you and your group)

Up to 5 people

Visit the most beautiful castle in Japan! It survived over 400 years and Japan’s first world cultural heritage. Find elaborately designed defensive tricks! Learn its survival history. Stroll in Koko-en garden next to the castle. It is about 3.5ha and divided into 9 different Japanese gardens. You can forget about the noise from the city.

Details of my tour can be arranged according to your interest. Extension of this tour (Himeji Full-Day Tour / 7hrs) can be offered. Please contact me!

Noboru S.

5.00 / 5

(7 reviews)

Meeting Point

JR Himeji Station, Your Hotel near JR Himeji Station or Otemon Gate (the main gate of Himeji Castle)

09:00 AM

Pick up / Meeting Point

[ ] JR Himeji Station

[ ] Hotel near JR Himeji station

09:30 AM

Himeji castle (Yen 1,050 : combination ticket to the castle and Koko-en)

Visit World Cultural Heritage Himeji Castle. Learn its defensive tricks and survival history. Many nice spots for taking photos.

12:00 PM

Koko-en Japanese Garden

Stroll through the gardens and relax. Enjoy drinking Maccha green tea in a special tea room if you like. (Yen 500)

01:00 PM

Drop off / Ending Point:

[ ] Koko-en Japanese garden

[ ] JR Himeji Station

[ ] Hotel near JR Himeji station

Ending Point

JR Himeji Station, Your Hotel near JR Himeji Station, Otemon Gate (the main gate of Himeji Castle), Koko-en Japanese garden

What to Expect

Himeji Castle is the most beautiful castle in Japan. It was constructed in 1609. The castle you will see is the original, over 400 years old and Japan’s first world cultural heritage. It is famous not only for its beauty but also for its elaborately designed defensive systems, many of which I will show you in my tour. You will find the history background of the castle, why it was built in Himeji, by whom and how it survived for over 400 years. I will tell you a dramatic life of Princess Sen who died in 1626, however still remembered by citizens as a symbol of Himeji Castle. My tour then takes you to Koko-en garden next to Himeji Castle. Koko-en is about 3.5ha and divided into 9 different Japanese gardens. Enjoy beautiful gardens where Himeji Castle is used as a background landscape. There is a special tea room in the garden where you can drink Maccha green tea (Yen 500). Relax and forget about the noise from the city. The details of my tour can be arranged according to your requests.

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Inclusions & Exclusions

What‘s included

Guide fee

Pick-up at your hotel near JR Himeji station

What‘s not included

Transportation fee (guests and guide) : About 1,000 JPY, if you take taxi from Himeji station to the castle

Any meals and drinks (guests and guide): About 1,500 JPY per person

Any admission fee (guests) : Yen 1,050 per person for the combination ticket (Himeji Castle and Koko-en)

Important Information

I guide you in Wakayama, Kumano, Koya-san and Shiga if you pay my transportation fee from Himeji.

・This tour involves half day walking, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes.

・It is my pleasure to help you plan your itinerary.

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

Himeji Tour Reviews

Hakan Y.

5 / 5

Jul 13, 2023

“ A memorable tour of Himeji Castle ”

Noboru is a most pleasant person. He picked us up from the train station and started his narrative about Himeji and its sublime castle slowly but surely for 3-4 hours. Himeji castle’s tour will be one of our most memorable memories of Japan thanks to Noboru.

Noboru S.

Thank you very much for your wonderful review. I was impressed to see such a nice family as yours and enjoyed your company very much. It was my great pleasure to show you Himeji Castle and its beautiful gardens. I hope to see you again next time you visit Japan! Noboru

Anushila M.

5 / 5

Jul 10, 2023

“ Excellent tour of Himeji ”

Noboru-san’s tour of Engyo-ji, Himeji Castle, and Koko-en Garden was excellent. He was very knowledgeable about the history of the castle and the temple. His explanations were very in-depth and informational. He also recommended a nice restaurant for lunch. We would highly recommend Noboru-san and this tour to see Himeji in a day trip.

Noboru S.

Thank you very much for your warmhearted review.　I am so glad to hear that you enjoyed the tour very much. Although Anu-san couldn’t join us this time, I hope to see her and both of you again next time you visit Japan! Noboru

Ellen L.

5 / 5

Jun 7, 2023

“ “Why You Shouldn’t Attack Himeji Castle” ”

We had a wonderful half day with Noboru-san. He was super flexible with the brief amount of time we had set aside in Himeji and wasted no time taking us to see the sights. He gave us an incredibly comprehensive breakdown of the history of Himeji Castle (as well as breaking down why it would be silly to ever lay siege to it). He even allotted enough time for us to visit some of the gardens as well before we had to get back on the Shinkansen. He was so sweet and just a very knowledgeable we’d 100% recommend him!

Noboru S.

Ellen san, Thank you very much for your wonderful review of our tour in Himeji. It was my great pleasure to show Himeji Castle and its beautiful garden to you and your son. I am so glad to hear that you enjoyed my tour. Did you also enjoy Disney Sea next day? I hope you both had memorable time in Japan. Hope to see you again next time you come back to Japan! Noboru

Silviya T.

5 / 5

Apr 10, 2023

“ Wonderful tour ”

We had a great tour to Engyo-ji temple on top of Mt. Shosha and Himeji castle. Noboru-san knows all secrets of the castle so be prepared for excellent tour in Himeji!

Noboru S.

Thank you very much for your kind review and for choosing me as a guide for your family. I hope you enjoyed Himeji. And I also hope to see you again next time you come back to Japan!