Things to see

Himeji Castle (World Heritage Site & National Treasure)

After Himeji Castle was first constructed as a fort in 1333 by Akamatsu Norimura (Enshin), the feudal lords Hashiba (later known as Toyotomi) Hideyoshi, Ikeda Terumasa, and Honda Tadamasa entrusted t…

Zuigan-ji Temple

This is an old temple of the Tendai sect, built by the 6th-7th century Prince Shotoku, who had it built by a Korean priest, Ebin. It was later restored by the Japanese priest Gyokin, and the temple i…

Hiromine Jinja Shrine

At the end of the Nara Period (710-794), when Japanese scholar Kibi no Makibi returned from China, he ascended Mt. Hakuhei in the Hiromine Mountains, where he received the trust of the deity Gozu Ten…

Anjikamo Shrine

Located near the vermilion-lacquered bridge straddling the Chugoku Expressway, this shrine with its large torii gate is known for its blessings for family safety and prosperous business. The shrine w…

Cenotaph for the City Air-raid Victims of the Pacific War

This memorial tower was erected to commemorate the more than 500,000 civilians who died in the Pacific War.
The tower is shaped like a sword, a symbol of weapons generally, thrust into the gro…

Himeji Historical Peace Center

During the Pacific War, Himeji City suffered tremendous damage from two major air raids that reduced most of the city area to scorched earth and claimed more than 500 precious lives.
To promot…

Enzan Memorial Museum of Japanese Traditional Crafts

This museum was established to honor the legacy of Ijiri Enzan, known for his research on Borobudur, the world's largest Buddhist heritage site in Indonesia.
Exhibits display a variety of tradi…

Himeji City Nature Observation Forest

The 60-hectare forest adjacent to the Sakurayama Reservoir has an 8-km observation trail where visitors can observe local wild birds, plants, and insects.
As soon as you enter the Nature Center…

Hyogo Prefectural Kodomo no Yakata (Children’s Center)

The Hyogo Prefectural Children's Museum offers daily activities with things like bamboo and paper crafts to help foster children's emotional education. The facility also offers a children's library …

Himeji City Water Museum “Mizu no Yakata”

The Waterworks Museum ("Mizu-no-kan" or Water Museum) outlines the history of how drinking water has been obtained, explains the water purification technology that supports our daily lives today, and…

Kodera Museum of History and Folklore

Looking almost like a place where you might even meet people from the past, the Kodera Museum of History and Folklore is located within a relocated former home of the Oda Family, wealthy merchants fr…

(Himeji City) Green Station Shikagatsubo

This is a space created to help foster healthy youth development, surrounded by clear streams, the beauty of the changing seasons across the mountains, and scenic spots like Shikagatsubo and Mikadani…