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Himeji Castle, The Set of The Last Samurai or Engyoji Temple

Newly restored Himeji Castle

Jyogyodo seen from Jikido in Engyoji Temple

Daikodo in Engyoji Temple

Jyogyodo in Engyoji Temple

Daikodo seen from Jikido in Engyoji Temple

Daikodo or A Big Lecture Hall in Engyoji Temple

Jyogyodo in Engyoji Temple

Jikido or the set of Last Samurai

Maniden in Engyoji Temple

Tall pillars of Maniden in Engyoji Temple

A Large Maniden or main hall in Engyoji Temple

Newly restored Himeji Castle

Himeji Castle

Hyakken-corridor is a three hundred meter long building in Nishinomaru bailey.

Inside the Hyakken-corridor

Hyakken-corridor is a three hundred meter long building in Nishinomaru bailey.

I'm In front of the moat of the Castle.

Almost repaired roof of the Castle We could get a close-up view of the top tier's plaster wall from the facility .

Water Chesnut Gate

Walls of the Castle viewed from the top floor of the facility for the restoration

Egret's Eye View at Himeji Castle ( special visitor facilities for the restoration )

samurai war helmets

Himeji Castle, The Set of The Last Samurai or Engyoji Temple

Highlights

Joined 2014

Hideo Y.

4.61 / 5

(214 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

Kobe

English, Japanese (Native)

9 hrs 30 mins

Private tour (only you and Hideo Y.)

Up to 15 people

In 1993, Himeji Castle was designated as the first World Cultural Heritage site in Japan. Because of its striking beauty and elegance, it is popularly known as the "White Egret castle", but in fact it was an impregnable fortress.

Next, I would like to introduce you Engyoji Temple, where the movie "Last Samurai" starring Tom Cruise and Ken Watanabe was shot. The temple is located about 6 kilometers northwest from the Castle. We can take a bus and a ropeway from Himeji station to the Temple.

Itinerary

This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!

09:00 AM

Meeting Point

at your hotel in Kobe or Osaka

10:30 AM

Engyoji Temple

It was placed in the set of "Last Samurai."

01:30 PM

Himeji Castle

Because of its striking beauty and elegance, it is popularly known as the "White Egret castle"

03:30 PM

Kokoen Garden

Feudal Lord Garden of Himeji Castle

Ending Point

at your hotel in Kobe or 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

What‘s included

guide fee

What‘s not included

・Our transportation fee (2,000JPY) from Sannomiya to Himeji.

・Our trasportation fee (you and your guide) in Himeji is about 600JPY/person.

・ lunch

・ Your entrance fee about 2,000JPY/person

Tour Important Information

Important message from the supplier

I guide you Sapporo, Furano, Otaru, Hakodate in Hokkaido / Aomori in Hokuriku / Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, Himeji in Kansai / Miyazaki, Nagasaki, Kagoshima in Kyushu / Kochi, Matsuyama, Ehime in Shikoku / Matsumoto in Nagano/ Tottori, Shimane, Kanazawa, Sakaiminato, Fukui in Japan Sea side / Please get in touch with me!!

Thank you.

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 2014

Hideo Y.

4.61 / 5

(214 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

About Tour Guide Hideo Y.

Hello, I'm HIDEo YOSHIda. Please call me HIDEYOSHI, the same name as the famous shogun who built the Osaka Castle in 1585.

I was born in Kobe and worked in Osaka for nearly 40 years. I would like to introduce the Kansai region to you ,including Kobe, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, and Wakayama.

Kobe is one of the two largest ports in Japan, along with Yokohama. After the opening of the Port of Kobe in 1868, foreigners built their residences on the hillside of the Kitano-cho area, overlooking the ocean. Many of the foreign residences are now open to the public as museums, including the Weathercock House, with it's symbol weathercock on the triangle-shaped roof.

In Meriken Park, the red Port Tower (the city's landmark), creates a beautiful contrast against the white Kobe Marine Museum. The museum's design was inspired by the waves and sailing ships.

When you have a chance to visit Osaka, please join my tour. I'm sure you'll enjoy the interesting and historical, scenic spots. For example, Shin-Sekai is a downtown area with a strange mix of nostalgic atmosphere and contemporary energy. You can try local foods (kushikatsu, sushi, tempura) at a reasonable price. Billiken (a famous statue of the spirit of luck) will be waiting for you!!. Dotombori is a popular street with a lot of flashy signboards. Osaka is widely known as a "Kuidaore-no-machi", or literally "drinking and eating luxuriously to death." Osaka Castle was built by Toyotomi HIDEYOSHI in 1585. Oh, it's my residence, isn't it !

These days "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter" area in USJ, or Universal Studios Japan, is also attracting more and more people.

I'll be looking forward to seeing you !!

Reviews

Victoria G.

5 / 5

Mar 22, 2026

Kochi Golden Tour

Mar 22, 2026

Kochi

3 days

“3 day Golden Tour of Kyoto, Osaka and Kochi”

Hideo was extremely knowledgeable of these cities. He shared all kinds of information about the history, current day, temples, shrines, food, castles and the street culture. All 3 days were very organized and we did not feel rushed anywhere based on the schedule he had shared when the tour was booked. Also, as the days went on Hideo’s personality started to shine through, he is a gentle soul with an endearing sense of humour. I will definitely recommend Hideo to any friends or family who plan a trip to Japan and these cities.

Hideo Y.

I'm very happy to receive your message. We visited popular temples --Kiyomizu, Kinkaku (Golden Pavilion) -- in Kyoto, and Osaka castle, Dotonbori from Osaka Port for 2 days. Your cruise ship moved to Kochi to enjoy seeing the Kochi Castle, Harimayabashi bridge, an interesting mechanical clock, Makino botanical garden and Chikurinji Temple. I'm sure you found the Kochi castle is completely different from Osaka Castle Osaka castle is the museum inside while Kochi is made of wood, one of the 12 castles that built before 1867 and now still exists. We climbed up the stone steps to the top floor to see beautiful landscape. I hope you enjoy Japan trip. I wish you all the best for your good health and continued success.

Jose L.

1 / 5

Mar 19, 2026

Kochi Golden Tour

Mar 19, 2026

Kochi

4 hours 30 mins

“Weather cancelled yhe cruise port”

So far they decided to not give a refund Better book tours with other companies that respect you as a client

Hideo Y.

Thank you for your honest opinions.

Sailu B.

1 / 5

Jan 7, 2026

Atomic Bomb Dome and Itsukushima Shrine in Miyajima

Jan 7, 2026

Hiroshima

8 hours

“better without”

I don't usually write bad reviews, I probably never did before. I don't want to be rude, but I have to express an objective opinion. Assuming that everything could have been done without a guide, unfortunately doing the day with Hideo was a hindrance. Difficult communication, no WhatsApp, tour date error, route error. And as if that wasn't enough, despite having checked the weather forecast, he took us to the top of the MIYAJIMA ropeway at the worst time of the day. When there was nothing else to do but immediately get back on the cable car to go back down, with 30 minutes of queueing and wasted money. At least he should settle for a more reasonable salary, given the poor conditions he can offer. Instead, in addition to the expensive daily rate he's asking for, he also wants reimbursement for his train fare to the meeting point, from where he lives (Kobe). For us, it was the only bad experience of our trip to Japan. Choose another.

Hideo Y.

Thank you for your honest opinions and for taking the time to write them. First I have to apologize you that I got wrong road to go to Daishoin Temple. Well, we exchange the message only on this site, It is not allowed to show WhatsApp on this site. While we take ropeway to Mt.Misen, it began to snow. When we reached the top of the mountain, it snowed so much heavily. This was a natural phenomenon, so I couldn't do anything. I didn't notice you felt so badly. As for my transportation fee, I mention the fee at the excluded item on the Bookings & Offers." Lastly I have to apologize you that I couldn't meet your expectation again. Anyway thank you for joining my tour. I hope you enjoy Japan trip. I will make use of this experience going forward.