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Himeji Castle has watched over the city as a symbol of Himeji for over 400 years. The majestic tower keep still stands tall today, captivating the hearts of all who visit.
Its elegant appearance, covered in pure white walls, earned it the nickname “White Heron Castle” (Shirasagi-jo). In 1993, it became one of Japan’s first UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites. After a five-and-a-half-year major restoration completed in 2015, the castle now shines even more brilliantly before us.
Beyond its value as castle architecture, Himeji Castle stands unrivaled for its beauty showcasing the finest traditional Japanese craftsmanship, and as one of the few remaining original tower keeps in Japan.
Himeji Castle is also designated as a National Treasure, Important Cultural Property, one of Japan’s Three Great Castles, and one of the Japan 100 Fine Castles, reflecting its extremely high reputation within Japan.
In this article, we’ll explore the highlights of Himeji Castle, uncovering the secrets of its beauty from an architectural perspective while providing useful information for your visit. We’ll cover everything from the charm of cherry blossom season to access information, so please use this guide to plan your Himeji Castle visit.
The greatest highlight and one of the most captivating aspects of Himeji Castle is its stunning beauty.
Himeji Castle is also known as “Shirasagi-jo” (White Heron Castle). Using a technique called shiro-shikkui-so-nurigome, the exterior walls were plastered with white lime, and white plaster was also applied to the joints of the roof tiles. As a result, the tower complex looks like a white heron spreading its wings, which led the people of Himeji to affectionately give it this name.
Himeji Castle features a “connected tower keep” (renritsu-shiki tenshu) architectural style.
A connected tower keep is an architectural style where the main tower, smaller towers, and watchtowers are arranged on all four sides and connected by watchtower corridors. This creates a courtyard enclosed by buildings, which is said to provide extremely high defensive capability. Himeji Castle’s main tower is surrounded by three smaller towers—the East, West, and Inui small towers—all connected by watchtower corridors, forming this connected tower keep complex.
This means the castle doesn’t just have a single tower keep standing alone, but rather smaller towers and watchtowers surrounding the main tower. This arrangement creates visual overlap between buildings, resulting in more delicate and complex architectural beauty with a greater sense of grandeur, making it extraordinarily beautiful.
The tower complex of Himeji Castle features an imposing five-story, six-floor main tower at its center, with three smaller towers organically connected by watchtower corridors. Chidori gables and kara gables are arranged on the overlapping tile roofs, harmonizing with the pure white plaster walls to create elegant architectural beauty. The geometric beauty achieved through the layering of these massive structures, accomplished in an era without computers, truly demonstrates the skill of master craftsmen.
The white plaster shining against the sky, combined with the connected tower keep structure comprising the main tower and multiple smaller towers, creates more complex and delicate details than a single tower keep alone, resulting in a beautiful and impressive castle. This is why Himeji Castle is called beautiful.
Please take time to view Himeji Castle from both far away and up close.
Did you know that only twelve original tower keeps remain in Japanese castles? “Original” means the structure has been preserved in its form since construction. Many tower keeps in Japan were destroyed by earthquakes or war and later reconstructed.
Himeji Castle is one of these precious twelve surviving tower keeps, commonly known as the ”Twelve Original Tower Keeps.” Since its construction in 1609, it has survived numerous earthquakes and wars, and continues to preserve its beautiful appearance through ongoing repairs.
Please step inside the tower keep of Himeji Castle. You’ll feel 400 years of history through the aged texture of the wood and the massive horizontal beams made from natural timber.
For more details about the Himeji Castle tower keep, please see the article below.
Read more about Himeji Castle Tower Keep
For more information about the twelve original tower keeps, please see the article below.
Read more about Twelve Original Tower Keeps
This is Sakuramon Bridge, the main entrance to Himeji Castle. Everyone who visits Himeji Castle first arrives here. Crossing this bridge marks the start of your Himeji Castle tour. You can see the tower keep in the distance, and the scenery is wonderful. It’s also a popular photo spot.
After crossing Sakuramon Bridge, you’ll first encounter the “Main Gate” (Otemon). Main gates are typically large and imposing, designed to greet visitors while displaying the castle lord’s authority. All Japanese castles of a certain size have one.
Himeji Castle’s Main Gate was reconstructed in 1938 and is very large with an impressive presence. True to its role as the castle’s face, it welcomes visitors with majestic dignity. Take a close look at the doors. At this size, they are extremely large and impressive. Although reconstructed, nearly 90 years have passed, and the wood has developed a beautiful patina.
Himeji Castle was designed with many detours and decoy paths, making it difficult to reach the tower keep. This was for defense against enemy attacks.
When touring today, signs and markers ensure you won’t get lost, but the path to the tower keep is notably longer compared to other castles.
However, this actually becomes one of the castle’s highlights and charms. You can fully immerse yourself in the beautiful Japanese castle scenery while exploring. In fact, few Japanese castles have such a long path to the tower keep.
Along the way, you’ll pass through narrow paths enclosed by castle walls and small gates, experiencing an immersive feeling as if you’ve traveled back to the Warring States period.
For visiting Himeji Castle, you’ll need about 2 hours to leisurely explore Sannomaru Square, Nishinomaru Garden, and the tower keep.
When planning your trip, allocating at least 2 hours for Himeji Castle will prevent delays to your subsequent schedule.
Beyond the tower keep itself, the views of the entire castle from the squares and gardens are also beautiful. Please set aside enough time to fully enjoy Himeji Castle.
Himeji Castle is also renowned for its cherry blossoms. In spring, about 1,000 cherry trees bloom throughout Sannomaru Square and Nishinomaru Garden, creating a beautiful contrast with the white walls of the castle.
The best viewing time is typically from late March to early April. Selected as one of Japan’s “100 Best Cherry Blossom Spots,” the castle attracts even more visitors during cherry blossom season.
From March 1, 2026, Himeji Castle admission fees were revised. A “two-tier pricing” system was introduced with different rates for Himeji residents and non-residents.
| Category | Price |
|---|---|
| Adults 18+ (Non - residents) | 2,500 yen |
| Adults 18+ (Himeji residents) | 1,000 yen |
| Under 18 | Free |
| Himeji Castle & Koko - en Garden Combined Ticket | 2,600 yen |
| Annual Pass | 5,000 yen |
Himeji residency is verified by presenting a My Number Card or similar ID. Visitors under 18 enter free regardless of residency.
From April 1, 2025, Himeji Castle admission tickets can be purchased online.
By purchasing a digital ticket, you can skip the ticket counter lines and enter smoothly even during busy periods.
Himeji Castle Digital Tickets - Official Himeji Castle Website
| Period | Opening Hours | Last Entry |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Season | 9:00 am - 5:00 pm | 4:00 pm |
| Summer (Apr 27 - Aug 31) | 9:00 am - 6:00 pm | 5:00 pm |
The castle is closed on December 29 and 30.
Himeji Castle Visitor Information - Official Himeji Castle Website
Himeji Castle is located near Himeji Station, which is served by the Shinkansen. Exit from the Himeji Castle Exit (North Exit) of Himeji Station and head straight north along the main street—access is very easy. You can even see Himeji Castle from the station.
While you can walk from Himeji Station in about 15-20 minutes, taking the bus is recommended. It’s fast (about 5 minutes), easy (no confusion about where to board), and frequent (every 5 minutes).
Exit from the Himeji Castle Exit (North Exit) of Himeji Station, and you’ll find the bus terminal immediately to your left.
The bus terminal has platforms 1-22, and you can take any bus from platforms 6-10.
All of these buses stop at the “Himeji Castle Otemon-mae” bus stop, where you can get off to access Himeji Castle.
Once you get off at the bus stop, Himeji Castle is right in front of you. The ride takes about 5 minutes, buses depart frequently from 5 platforms so you don’t need to check the timetable, and waiting time is only about 5 minutes before a bus comes. Taking the bus is simply the easiest way. This is the most recommended way to reach Himeji Castle. (Fare: 210 yen for adults, 110 yen for children)
To return to Himeji Station from Himeji Castle, board at the “Himeji Castle Otemon-mae” bus stop. However, the bus stop for Himeji Station is not where you got off, but along the road on the north side of Otemae Park. Take any bus that stops here to return to Himeji Station.
Buses run about every 15 minutes, so check the departure time at the bus stop before heading back.
Himeji Castle was actually used as a filming location for “You Only Live Twice,” the fifth film in the 007 series released in 1967. Sean Connery played James Bond, and this film is famous for being set in Japan.
In this film, NASA space capsules are captured by a mysterious spacecraft, and Bond comes to Japan to pursue the mastermind. The story incorporates many Japanese elements such as ninjas, underground secret bases, and volcanic fortresses.
In the film, Himeji Castle is used as “a secret ninja training school.” James Bond (Sean Connery) cooperates with the Japanese intelligence agent “Tiger Tanaka” (Tetsuro Tamba) to thwart SPECTRE’s conspiracy. In the process, Bond receives ninja training, and Himeji Castle was the setting for that training.
Filming took place primarily in the Nishinomaru area of the castle, with the castle’s stone walls and watchtowers impressively captured on screen. The scenes of ninjas training particularly showcase Himeji Castle’s dignified landscape, depicted as a place symbolizing the spirit of bushido.
Watch the film before visiting Himeji Castle. Your appreciation will be even greater when you actually visit!
Please also enjoy comparing Himeji Castle in 1967 with today’s castle. You’ll be amazed at how unchanged Himeji Castle remains after over 70 years.
As a side note, the young Tetsuro Tamba in this film was just as cool as Sean Connery! His English was fluent, and after watching this film, I felt proud that he was one of Japan’s greatest actors.
The elegant form of the White Heron Castle, as if spreading its wings to soar into the sky. Its overwhelming beauty cannot be fully conveyed through photos or video alone. As one of the twelve original tower keeps, Himeji Castle carries 400 years of woven history while preserving its appearance since construction.
The charm of Himeji Castle lies in its ability to show different expressions depending on the viewing angle, time, and season. The beauty of white walls glowing in morning light, the solemnity of the silhouette at dusk, the spring appearance harmonizing with cherry blossoms, the heroic figure against summer blue skies. There are new discoveries each visit, and you never tire of returning.
Especially when walking through the tower keep interior, you’ll be overwhelmed by the massive beams and pillars, the details crafted throughout, reflecting the high skill level and dedication to beauty of the craftsmen of that era. The view from the top floor is also popular as a spectacular spot overlooking the Himeji cityscape.
Easily accessible from Himeji Station on foot or by bus. With about 2 hours, you can leisurely explore the main highlights within the castle grounds. Please visit Himeji Castle, Japan’s finest castle architecture that the country proudly presents to the world.
