A date with Sen Hime Princess in Himeji Castle
Joined 2025
Himeji castle is the most peaceful castle in Japan,which makes her ranked the 2nd among 25 world heritage sites in Japan.
A visit to Himeji castle would also remind you of the fact that you are the most peaceful tourist in the world because Tour guide Gary believes that like attracts like.There is a destined connection between you,your family and the most peaceful MainKeep of Himeji Castle.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
your hotel lobby
- Tour guide will go to your hotel and meet you at the lobby. Together we will go to the closest railway station and take the train to Himeji station.
Himeji Station
Tour guide and guest(tourist) will arrive at the Himeji Station.
Together we will walk 15 mins or take the taxi(at the tourist's expense) to the Himeji-bashi Bridge and then in 5 mins arrive at the ticket office.
walkabout tour inside the Himeji castle
We will start from the Hishinomon gate and walk to the Nishinomaru(west bailey), the most beautiful Sakura(Cherry Blossom) garden inside the Himeji castle,where the Princess Senhime(the granddaughter of Tokugawa Ieyasu) had her 2nd marriage with the son of the then owner of Himeji castle,Honda Tadamasa).
We will spend 20 mins to go through the Hyakken no roka,a gallery corridor(240 meters),where showcases all the history of the Himeji castle.
After we leave the Hyakken no roka,we will start to walk in 10 mins to the main KEEP,the spiritual center of the Himeji castle.
We will step up the 6 floors of the Main KEEP and pay our worship to the goddess of Osakabe daimyojin,whom local Himeji citizens believe is the key protective spiritual deity in making Himeji castle the most peaceful castle in Japan.
Lunch in Senhime Shokuji Tokoro
50 to 60 mins
Senhime Shokuji Tokoro is the local famous Himeji cuisine restaurant.
The Senhime Gozen,a set menu,with 4 kinds of dishes(Anago Gohan(Himeji Conger eel,Tenpura,Udon ramen,beef Steak,fruit as the finish),or tourist may choose other curisine as per his/her personal liking)
Koko-en Garden
60 mins
Koko-en Garden is a famous garden adjacent to the west bailey of Himeji castle,waterfall,Japanese Koi(carp),Bonsai,flowers,trees,orchestrate together,a small piece of heaven neighboring to the Himeji Castle.
If the tourist has interest in the botanical plantation,it is for sure a treasure box.
We also will sit on the Heiryu-en garden and spend 10 mins in the meditation for a relaxation.
Kineya-honden&Kohma
Kineya-honden is a location most-famous Wagashi(Japanese dessert) souvenir shop,one of the dessert has won the award of Prime Minister's prize.The hero of The Last SAMURAI,Tom Cruise, has come to the shop and bought 50 boxes of the Wagashi before he went home.
Kohma is a local kitchenware and tableware shop,featuring a variety of Japanese pottery and ceramic commodity line-ups.
Tourist would find some of the commodities with good bargain and discount rate.
Tour guide would like to take this opportunity to explain to the guest of the Japanese aesthetic principles regarding WABI&SABI.
Himeji Station
15 mins
Walk back to the station and take the train back to Osaka.
Ending Point
Osaka station(umeda area)
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
tour guide fee
1.Tourist's public transportation(railway/bus) and private transportation(taxi) needed in the process of sightseeing.
Below are the estimated prices for your reference.
Because tour guide does not know your hotel location,pls kinldy do not regard it as accurate and final.
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For tourist guest who start the trip in Osaka city,I will take Osaka JR station as starting point.
Your hotel->JR Osaka Station->JR Himeji Station->Your hotel
Totel budget for transportation is about:
Max:1000+1500+1500+1000=5000JPY
(1USD=144.54JPY ,exchange rate as of July 6,2025)
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2.Tourist lunch is at his/her own expense .
3.Tour guide lunch(it is not mandatory but highly appreciate that tourist(client) would pay for the lunch fee of tour guide)
Lunch fee for one person is from 1300JPY to 2300 JPY
*Beer at 550 JPY per middle sized jug(Namachu by Japanese)
4.All the entrance tickets for sightseeing inside the scenic spots both for tourists.
5:Taxi fee
If the tourist has senior or infirm family members,it is highly recommended that you take the taxi as transportation vehicle,e.g., from your hotel to railway station and railway station to your hotel,from Himeji station to Himeji castle Sakuramon bridge(15mins by walking),from koko-en garden to Himeji station(18mins by walking).
Tour Important Information
1.pls prepare enough protection,e.g.,hat,cap,umbrella,water,coolant spay,sun burn spray,in order to prevent you from being hit by heat stroke.
2.The MainKeep (six floor with stair cases)is steepy at the angle of 70 degree,which is challenging for people with back/knee problems.
3.This tour involves a lot of walking,so make sure to wear comfortable shoes.
4.The Hyaken No Roka in the Nishi no maru(West bailey) area and the Mainkeep(6 floors) are not wheelchair accessible,however,guest with wheelchair is able to enter into the Himeji castle area.For example in this case,he or she may stay outside of the Hyaken no Roka or the Mainkeep and wait for his/her family member.
Important message from the supplier
Max people=3 would be adjustable if the tourists have more than 3 members in his/her family or friend group.
The reason that I define the Max People as 3 is because I plan the tour by using public transportation.
In case of the bus/train,there would be no restriction for 3 peoples,but in case of taking taxi,I think 3 people is easy and comfortable for a riding.
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 2025
About Tour Guide Gary S.
As an inbound tour guide and outbound tour leader, I have had the honor of serving guests from over 56 countries. I specialize in both private tours and bus higaeri (one-day) tours for Japanese local tourism services. I am also proud to be a 5-star-reviewed tour guide on other platforms. I speak Japanese, English, Mandarin, and Cantonese—skills I developed during my long-term career as a project manager in international joint ventures requiring multilingual and cross-cultural communication. This enables me to interact smoothly with tourists from regions such as Taiwan, Hong Kong (SAR), and mainland China, as long as we share a common language like English. In addition, I’m currently studying French, Spanish, Italian, and German to deepen my understanding of diverse cultures and enhance the experience I provide. I believe in the importance of omoiyari—the Japanese concept of empathy and consideration—an essential trait cultivated through personal growth, social experience, and professional challenges. I always strive to stand in my guests' shoes and provide thoughtful, personalized service. I also bring a sense of humor and optimism to my work, guided by a strong belief in the power of trust, shaped by my interest in Buddhism, Shintoism, and Protestant Christianity. In August 2024, I joined my first Heiro tour led by Japanese trainers, a couple who became certified Heiro masters after completing the practice 11 times. This experience enriched both my spiritual perspective and cultural understanding.
$341/ per person
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