Himeji Castle & Kokoen Garden
Moderate Activity
Includes meal
Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.
First, you will visit Himeji Castle Park.
Himeji Castle is widely considered as Japan's most spectacular castle for its imposing size and beauty and its well preserved, complex castle grounds. The castle was registered as a World Heritage Site in December, 1993 (Heisei 5th yr), along with Horyuji Temple in Nara, the first place in Japan to achieve this status. The graceful white building is compared to a white heron in flight, and it is also called "the White Heron Castle". Himeji Castle is characterized by its vivid white walls covered with white plaster. Seen from the outside, Dai-tenshu (the Main Keep) appears to have 5 stories but the interior reveals a 7-floored structure with 6 floors above and 1 in the basement. With roofed passages, Himeji Castle connects Dai-tenshu and 3 Ko-teshu (Small Keeps); Higashi Ko-tenshu (the East Small Keep), Nishi Ko-tenshu (the West Small Keep) and Inui Ko-tenshu (the Inui Small Keep). This architectural style is called Renritsu-style Tenshu and it is a unique structure that distinguishes this castle. The present form of Himeji Castle was constructed in 1609 (Keicho 14th yr), and it has retained its original beauty for more than 400 years.
Next, you will visit Kokoen Garden.
Kokoen Garden is a popular beautiful sightseeing spot in Himeji City. It is a relatively recently constructed Japanese style garden, which was opened in 1992 on the former site of the feudal lord's west residence (Nishi-Oyashiki). It consists of nine separate, walled gardens designed in various styles of the Edo Period. Among the gardens are the garden of the lord's residence which features a pond with a waterfall, a tea garden where visitors can enjoy green tea in a tea ceremony house, a pine tree garden, a bamboo garden and a flower garden.
You will enjoy lunch at local restaurant.
Take your motorcoach for the scenic drive back to the ship.
Schedule
Special Notes
-Himeji Castle is really popular among tourists and always busy especially during Spring and normally it takes 1-2 hours to enter the castle tower.
-From the parking lot to the entrance of castle, it takes approx.15-20 minutes(about 700meter) on foot. After go through entrance of the castle, need to walk 300 meter from that point to entrance of Main hall. In total, more than 3km is require to walk.
-There are about 110 steps in the Himeji Castle Tower.
-Special dietary meals would be offered only if requested 3 days in advance.
-This tour is not recommended for guests with walking difficulties nor limited mobility.
-Wear comfortable shoes and clothes.
-Japanese Yen is required for additional purchases.
-The tour order may vary.
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Moderate Activity
Includes meal
Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.
First, you will visit Himeji Castle Park.
Himeji Castle is widely considered as Japan's most spectacular castle for its imposing size and beauty and its well preserved, complex castle grounds. The castle was registered as a World Heritage Site in December, 1993 (Heisei 5th yr), along with Horyuji Temple in Nara, the first place in Japan to achieve this status. The graceful white building is compared to a white heron in flight, and it is also called "the White Heron Castle". Himeji Castle is characterized by its vivid white walls covered with white plaster. Seen from the outside, Dai-tenshu (the Main Keep) appears to have 5 stories but the interior reveals a 7-floored structure with 6 floors above and 1 in the basement. With roofed passages, Himeji Castle connects Dai-tenshu and 3 Ko-teshu (Small Keeps); Higashi Ko-tenshu (the East Small Keep), Nishi Ko-tenshu (the West Small Keep) and Inui Ko-tenshu (the Inui Small Keep). This architectural style is called Renritsu-style Tenshu and it is a unique structure that distinguishes this castle. The present form of Himeji Castle was constructed in 1609 (Keicho 14th yr), and it has retained its original beauty for more than 400 years.
Next, you will visit Kokoen Garden.
Kokoen Garden is a popular beautiful sightseeing spot in Himeji City. It is a relatively recently constructed Japanese style garden, which was opened in 1992 on the former site of the feudal lord's west residence (Nishi-Oyashiki). It consists of nine separate, walled gardens designed in various styles of the Edo Period. Among the gardens are the garden of the lord's residence which features a pond with a waterfall, a tea garden where visitors can enjoy green tea in a tea ceremony house, a pine tree garden, a bamboo garden and a flower garden.
You will enjoy lunch at local restaurant.
Take your motorcoach for the scenic drive back to the ship.
Schedule
Special Notes
-Himeji Castle is really popular among tourists and always busy especially during Spring and normally it takes 1-2 hours to enter the castle tower.
-From the parking lot to the entrance of castle, it takes approx.15-20 minutes(about 700meter) on foot. After go through entrance of the castle, need to walk 300 meter from that point to entrance of Main hall. In total, more than 3km is require to walk.
-There are about 110 steps in the Himeji Castle Tower.
-Special dietary meals would be offered only if requested 3 days in advance.
-This tour is not recommended for guests with walking difficulties nor limited mobility.
-Wear comfortable shoes and clothes.
-Japanese Yen is required for additional purchases.
-The tour order may vary.