How to Visit Himeji Castle, the White Heron Castle

If you're traveling to Japan and don't want to miss a visit to Himeji Castle, you're in the right place: we're going to share our day enjoying what many consider the most beautiful castle in the country. And it's not just us saying that: this castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the few original fortresses that has survived wars, earthquakes, and the passage of time almost intact.

The White Heron shone again under the Himeji sun... No, I haven't downed a liter of umeshu and started to hallucinate. I'm talking about Himeji Castle, Japan's White Heron. This is its nickname, and it's not hard to see why: white, slender, and elegant. Himeji is possibly the most beautiful castle in all of Japan. It was built in 1333 by order of Akamatsu Norimura, although it was during the time of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, two centuries later, that the castle was reformed and expanded.

Ready to discover how to visit Himeji Castle?

As you can see, visiting Himeji Castle is a must-do on any itinerary in Japan. It's not only one of the most spectacular castles in the country, but also one of the few that has survived intact since feudal times. In this guide, we'll share everything you need to know to plan your visit: some history to set the context, how our experience touring it went (and how we got there by hitchhiking!), how to get there by public transport, and several useful tips to make the most of your day.

The history of Himeji Castle dates back to 1333 when Akamatsu Norimura, a powerful local samurai, built a fortress on top of a strategic hill. It wasn't the elegant castle we know today, but rather a simpler structure primarily designed for defense.

Over time, different clans expanded and reinforced the fortress. Then, in 1601, under the orders of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the shogun who unified Japan, his son-in-law Ikeda Terumasa was tasked with transforming the castle into a prestigious lordly residence. The reconstruction lasted 9 years, and it was then that the majestic five-story main tower, still visible today, was constructed.

During the Edo period (1603-1868), the castle changed hands among several feudal lords (daimyō), but it was never attacked, perhaps due to its impressive defensive system. And that's part of its legend: it is an intact castle, never damaged or destroyed in wars, fires, or earthquakes. For this reason, it is considered one of the most spectacular examples of medieval castles in Japan.

After the Meiji Restoration in the 19th century, many Japanese castles were demolished for being symbols of the old feudal regime. Himeji Castle was barely saved: a local citizen purchased it at auction for 23 yen (yes, seriously) and, though his initial intent may have been to demolish it, he backed down after learning the cost and ultimately kept it standing.

During World War II, the city of Himeji was bombed, but incredibly, the castle survived with hardly a scratch. Legend has it that a bomb fell on the main tower but failed to explode... a story that only adds to its fame as an invincible castle.

Finally, in 1993, Himeji Castle was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and in 2015, a major restoration was completed, leaving it gleaming as it would have appeared centuries ago.

Upon arrival, the silhouette of the castle is sure to leave you speechless just as it did us. It looks like it's straight out of a samurai legend: white, majestic, imposing. It's no wonder they call it the White Heron... with its curved roofs and whitewashed walls, it looks ready to take flight.

The main entrance is well marked, and the grounds are vast, so it's best to follow the designated route. The pathway will take you through a kind of maze among stone walls and fortified gates, which were traps in themselves: designed to confuse the enemy, waste their time, and tire them out before they reached the interior.

Before entering the castle building itself, you must check in and pay the 1000 yen entry fee. And once it's in our hands, let's head inside! To be honest, the interior left us a bit disappointed. Not that we were expecting a ninja hiding among the wooden pillars, or an armed samurai ready to protect us and give us lessons in morality, no... it just felt empty, lacking in soul.

It would have been nice to have a mannequin of the shogun welcoming us, a furry mascot doing a dance, a few tapestries... something. There was absolutely NOTHING, just windows, tatamis, wood, and stairs. We had read on a blog that there were recreations that hinted at what life in the castle was like during its best years, but maybe they were removed after the last renovation, because we didn't find even the mannequin's wig

I can sense the disappointment of Japan lovers. We're sorry, we didn't like the interior... But... but... but the outside is a marvel! Nevertheless, looking for positives, we found four:

Nearby the castle are some Japanese gardens (Kokoen Gardens) that are worth a visit. This garden is a lesser-known gem that many travelers skip... and that's a mistake, because it's the perfect complement to relax after your visit. We even spotted a heron, this time it was a real one

If you're in Osaka or Kyoto, getting to Himeji is easy and comfortable. It's best to go by train:

-> With any of these options, the train is the fastest and most convenient way to get there, and if you have a Japan Rail Pass, you can use it for the trip.

To get to Himeji, we decided to take a chance and try hitchhiking. Yes, yes, thumbs up, backpacks on, and plenty of faith. How did our first experience go? Well... surprisingly well. We had barely been stationed at a gas station for 7 minutes, under the rain with umbrellas, when a girl stopped and offered to give us a ride.

Total success! She dropped us off in Sannomiya, the largest city near Kobe. It wasn't a major mileage gain, but we were flipping with joy: >

Spoiler: the euphoria didn't last long...

We arrived in Sannomiya and, as could be expected, we found ourselves back under the rain, thumbs up and our hopes high. Seven minutes passed: "Well, let's see... we can't be that lucky again, can we?" Fourteen minutes passed: "Nothing's happening..." Thirty minutes passed: "Alright, we'll keep waiting." One hour... 1h15... 1h30... and not a trace of a supportive ride.

Until a lady approached us with the sweetest smile, gave us some tissues, and, with gestures and warmth, suggested that we better go to the JR station to catch a train. And you know what? She was right.

Second hitchhiking attempt = total fail.

We finally arrived in Himeji, visited the castle and the gardens (well-deserved reward!), and after a break, we tried again. This time we had a handmade sign and stood just at the exit of a parking lot. People passed by, smiled at us, bowed, even apologized for not being able to give us a ride. They couldn't be nicer! Seven minutes passed... fourteen minutes... twenty-one minutes...

And we were already playing the classic ultimatum: "Five more minutes and we're heading to the station..."

Until... Miracle! Two girls about 18 years old approached us, smiling, shy, and not speaking a word of English. With a mix of gestures, nervous laughter, and "Japanglish", they explained that they could give us a ride, and that if we wanted, we could give them 500 yen for gas (about $3.80).

We looked at each other as if to say: - Well... hitchhikers don't pay, do they? - I know, but if we go back by train, it's 1000 yen each. So we'd pay 250! Deal sealed!

And off we went. The experience was amazing: chatting in a mix of Japanese and broken English, talking about Spain, Japan, food, and music, while blasting Japanese pop-rock and having a blast.

That said, we arrived in Kobe half an hour late because the driver kept getting lost. But it didn't matter; the trip was part of the adventure! Another great experience awaited us there: our first time couchsurfing in Japan.

In short, we survived our first (and last) experience hitchhiking in Japan... though we are total amateurs at it. Between the rain, sweet ladies with tissues, frustrating walks, gas agreements, and epic detours, we gave it our all for the adventure.

Don't hitchhike, haha, just kidding (not really). Here are some extra recommendations for visiting Himeji Castle:

And thus, amidst castles, gardens, and not always successful hitchhikes, we concluded our adventure visiting Himeji Castle. A destination that, with its majestic castle and hidden corners, left us speechless. If you have the luck to be in the area, don't hesitate to pay it a visit; we assure you it will surprise you! And you? Have you visited Himeji Castle? What did you think?