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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.

4.64 / 5

(210 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.

4.64 / 5

(210 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

Macauley J.

5 / 5

Dec 9, 2025

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

Dec 9, 2025

Kobe

9 hours 30 mins

“Wonderful Himeji, Incredible Hideyoshi-san!”

Hideyoshi-san is an amazing tour guide and I would be excited to rejoin him again across Japan. The care and insight he brings to his tours was unmatched and he was powering through plenty of walking better than the rest of us :). He was quick with historical knowledge, and brought a personal touch to much of the tour. So great! The tour to Engyoji Temple was really wonderful and while it does take a bit of time to get there (from Osaka: a train, then bus, then ropeway, then another bus. And the same set to get back), it was a magical location, rivaling that of Kiyomizu-dera and much, MUCH less crowded. Yes, not quite as grand a spectacle as Kiyomizu, but with vast temple grounds and beautiful foliage, Engyoji during the fall was a gorgeous experience. Himeji Castle was great and with Hideyoshi-san's insights along the way made for a nice cap of the tour. The top two stories inside the castle itself begin to get very crowded with a bit of a wait to reach the top floor, but as an overall tour, it wasn't a bad day at all. Expect some wait times but you might get lucky. All in all, it was a full-day trip and a wonderful experience. Great times, good vibes, plenty of history, and stunning vistas.

Hideo Y.

I'm very glad to receive your excellent review. I aenjoyed guiding you, too. Yes, it was a fantastic day to enjoy seeing beautifully changing colors of autumn leaves, like red pink and yellow at Engyoji Temple. The temple is filmed on the location of the movie "Last Samurai" that Tom Cruise and Ken Watanabe appear. After lunch we visied Himeji Castle with 5-story 7 floors. It is one of the 12 castles that built during the Samurai Period (until 1867) and now still exists. Another name of Himeji castle is White Eagret Castle. Lucnkily we could see the castle elegantly lit up in the evening. I hope to see you again and I wish you and all your family good health and happiness.

Rebecca D.

5 / 5

Dec 7, 2025

Kyoto Golden Route (Nijo Arashiyama Kinkakuji Fushimi Inari)

Dec 7, 2025

Kyoto

8 hours

“Amazing tour”

We covered so much in just one day, and his deep knowledge and wealth of facts truly elevated the entire experience. If you’re looking for a unique and memorable private tour, I would highly recommend this one. We visited the 1,000 Torii Gates, the Golden Temple, and the Gion geiko district, each stop was unforgettable.

Hideo Y.

I'm very happy to receive your excellent review. After walking through 1,000 Torii Gates, you enjoyed painting a face of the fox and your dream on the wooden votive tablet. At Kinkakuji Temple (Golden pavilion) we coukd see the golden pavlion beautifully reflected on the mirror pond. I hope you enjoy Japan trip. I wish you all the best in the future.

Arthur C.

5 / 5

Nov 14, 2025

Osaka Castle, Dotombori, Shin-Sekai

Nov 14, 2025

Osaka

6 hours 30 mins

“Osaka Tour”

Hideo Y came very well prepared and very knowledgeable with the sights we wanted to see. He is very well accommodating with our desires. Enjoyed the time with him.

Hideo Y.

I'm very happy to receive your excellent review. In Dotonbori street. I showed you the interesting story of the cutting tail of the Dragon, hanging on the crab. I wish you all health and every joy in life.