- Tours›
- Day Trip
Himeji Full-Day Trip from Kyoto
Joined 2018
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.
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 Kyoto, Osaka or Kobe, or your convenient place
Meet at your hotel in Kyoto
Himeji Castle
Kokoen Japanese Style Garden nearby.
Lunch
See off at you hotel in Kyoto
Ending Point
At your hotel in Kyoto, Osaka or Kobe, or your convenient place
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
Transportation fee to/from JR Himeji Station (you and guide), entrance fee (1, 040 JPY per person, you only), lunch (you only).
Tour Important Information
1 Himeji Castle has steep stairs up to the castle tower. No elevators. If you have infants with you this time,
please ask them to wait for the next chance.:)
2 After Himeji Castle you will visit Kokoen Japanese Style Garden nearby.
3 This is a private tour.
4 Hotel pick-up is also available in Osaka, Kobe and Himeji areas.
5 We are asked to take off our shoes when entering Himeji Castle tower.
Important message from the supplier
I can also guide you in Hiroshima (Peace Memorial Park, Miyajima), 1-day tour. My transportation fees to/from Hiroshima cost about 20,000 JPY, return.
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 2018
About Tour Guide Shogo K.
Hi! I'm Shogo, National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter in English. "Shogo"? Looks a little bit hard to pronounce. So if you are interested in Samurai or Busho, call me "Shogun". (rather humble and hen-pecked at home, though.:)
Just a little bit information about myself. I was born and grew up in Himeji, about 50km west of Kobe. When a child I quite often visited world-famous Himeji Castle. So it's like "MY castle." As a student, I lived in Kyoto for four years. I'm a father of three, and have lived in Kobe with my family for over 30 years.
So I'm quite familiar with various tourist spots/attractions in Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Himeji, Kobe and the like, all in western Japan. Also I've lived in Lawrence, Kansas, for two years in my 20s as a Jayhawk. Great old memory!:)
Here are some of my specialties.
First, I can show you around popular historical sites and relics in Kyoto, Nara, Osaka and Himeji. You'll surely feel the depth of Japanese culture by visiting these places. Second, I can offer you special tours of fancy sake breweries in Kobe, Nara and Kyoto. Third, I also guide you around Hiroshima, including magnificent Itsukushima Shrine.
My goal/dream as guide interpreter is to help you explore and understand Japan and its culture with warm hospitality or Omotenashi. So please reach out to me any time, 24/7. For your super memorable trip, "Always with YOU" Shogo!:)
Reviews
“A perfect day in Kyoto”
Shogo went out of his way to meet us at the port and provided an in depth action packed day that exceeded all our expectations. He was a very kind and generous guide and we were happy in his company. We were able to see almost everything on our list including the Gion festival parade. Shogo was so enthusiastic and knowledgeable about his country and customs and went out of his way to share them with us.
Shogo K.
Dear Michael, First of all thank you so much for booking me at the far back of the guide list. I'd like to express my great respect for your bravery?:) In addition thank you so much for your wonderful review. Indeed the highlight of the tour was the Gion Festival parade. Great to know that you enjoyed Kyoto to the fullest, though it was a scorching/humid day. Again thank you very very much, Warmest regards, Shogo
Kristina H.
Kyoto Full Day Private Tour from Osaka Port, Tuesday, June 11, 2024
Customized
“A great day out in Kyoto!”
We had a wonderful day with Shogo in Kyoto! The fact Shogo met us from the ship really took the stress out of the adventure and the tour around Kyoto was informative and fun. Shogo was a patient and kind guide with my family a d even showed us pictures of his family so we felt very welcome. Thank you Shogo !!
Shogo K.
Dear Kristina, I feel grateful for your wonderful review of my Kyoto tour. Indeed I had a great day with you and your lovely family. I still remember your wonderful daughter and gentle son. One thing I regret is that Kyoto Imperial Palace, your priority, was unfortunately closed on the day. Good news is that now I'm a fan of Colorado Rockies. "Go Dinger!!" Best regards, Shogo
“Perfect introduction to Kyoto ”
Ahogo met us at our hotel promptly. Since our tour was utilizing public transportation he had travel cards ready for us to use, the cost to be settled at the end of the tour. He had the stops well planned by area in order to avoid too much crisis crossing around the city. Ahogo gave us very in-depth explanations of the correlation between Shinto and Buddhism, and showed deep knowledge of historical events. He is a soft spoken man with great passion for sharing information about his country. His command of English is perfect and was always eager to share his knowledge with us. We definitely recommend you book with Shogo.
Shogo K.
Dear Gigi, Thank you for the wonderful review. I'm so grateful to know that you enjoyed exploring inner reaches of Kyoto's historical sites. Because of your thoughtful cooperation and early blooming cherry blossoms coming out, I felt as if I were strolling in a beautiful paradise with good and old friends of mine.:) Many thanks to you, Gigi, your generous husband, and lovely friends.:) From "Henpecked"
$325/ per group
More tours by Shogo K.
Kyoto Full Day Private Tour
This is a one-day tour of Kyoto. Kyoto is an ancient capital for over 1,000 years. You will visit Kinkakuji Temple, Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Fushimi Inari Shrine. All of these places are World Heritage Sites. You will also stroll around Gion in central Kyoto, where you might come across with a beautiful Maiko/Geiko by chance.
Bustling Osaka & Ancient Nara Full Day Private Tour
In this tour we will visit must-see places in Osaka and Nara. Nara used to be a capital of Japan in the 8th century. We'll visit Todaiji Temple, housing the gigantic Great Statue of Buddha, and Kasuga Grand Shrine. Let's go see nearby fancy Naramachi area, if time permitting. Osaka Castle was built in the 16th century. Let's go up to the top of the castle tower. You will feel as if you were a shogun. We also visit bustling Dotombori Downtown Osaka.
Awesome Osaka Full Day Private Tour
This full-day private tour includes must-see tourist spots in Osaka. We will visit Osaka Castle, Osaka Museum of Housing nd Living, Kuromon Market plus Dotombori both downtown Osaka. In this tour we will see the present and past of Osaka and its energetic people.
Discover Western Kyoto Full Day Private Tour
This is a full day tour of western Kyoto, ancient capital for over 1,000 years. We will visit must-see places in western Kyoto such as Nijojo Castle, Kinkakuji Temple, Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, and Nishiki Market. Nijojo Castle and Kinkakuji Temple are World Heritage Sites. It will literally be great fun to stroll along Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, and Nishiki Market as well where you’ll see a variety of Kyoto's signature foods/crafts.
Other Popular Day Trip Tours in Himeji
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.
Himeji Castle and Toy Museum
We visit Himeji Castle and a roofed shopping arcade in Himeji. In the afternoon we move to Koro town by JR train to visit " Toy Museum." It takes about twenty minutes from Himeji to Koro by train.
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.