Place to visit
Himeji Castle, Japan: what it is and when to go
Himeji Castle is a Japanese castle complex (姫路城) (Himeji). Interests: History. The best time to visit is February to May and October to November. In June there are 14 h 20 of daylight, and in December, 9 h 40. It has articles in 72 Wikipedias: it is one of the ten best-known places in Japan out of the 6,340 on this site. Here is what it is, where it lies, when to come, how to get there and what else is nearby to turn it into a trip.
In a nutshell
- What it is
- Japanese castle complex · History
- Local name
- 姫路城
- Where
- Japan · Honmachi 68, 670-0012, Himeji
- Best time
- February to May and October to November.
- Nearest airport
- KIX Osaka, 68 km as the crow flies
- Opening hours
- Sep 01-Apr 26 Mo-Su 09:00-16:00; Apr 27-Aug 31: Mo-Su 09:00-17:00
- Price
- 1000 JPY
- Website
- himejicastle.jp
- Protection
- UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Coordinates
- 34.83933, 134.69402
What it is and where
Himeji Castle is a Japanese castle complex (姫路城) (Himeji). It has articles in 72 Wikipedias: it is one of the ten best-known places in Japan out of the 6,340 on this site.
It is in Himeji, where this site lists 18 more places to see, 4 m from the centre.
Its coordinates are 34.83933, 134.69402; the nearest main airport is Kansai International Airport (KIX, Osaka), 68 km as the crow flies. How to get around Japan (train, car, bus) is covered in its country guide.
Where it is (opens in a new tab)Directions (opens in a new tab)
- Protection
- UNESCO World Heritage Site
It is one of the History places in Japan. In Kokai it is already on your trip map next to the places you save yourself, and it goes into a day's plan with one tap.
When to go
The best time to visit Himeji Castle is February to May and October to November.
- JanPossible9:54
- FebBest time10:44
- MarBest time11:44
- AprBest time12:53
- MayBest time13:50
- JunPossible14:20
- JulPossible14:07
- AugPossible13:19
- SepPossible12:12
- OctBest time11:06
- NovBest time10:08
- DecPossible9:40
Best timePossibleBetter notHours of daylight
In June there are 14 h 20 of daylight, and in December, 9 h 40. Daylight hours are calculated from the site's latitude for the 15th of each month; when planning a full day on foot they matter as much as the weather.
When to go to Japan in general, with its festivals and peak seasons, is in its country guide.
Before you go to Japan
To enter Japan there are 10 things to sort out before you leave, starting with “A valid passport covering your whole stay”: they are all, with their deadlines, in the Japan checklist. Currency: Japanese yen (JPY); plugs: Type A and B · 100 V · 50/60 Hz (you need an adapter); emergencies: 110 police · 119 ambulance and fire.
In Kokai you tick off the checklist inside your trip, and each item reminds you when it is time to do it.
What is nearby
- Himeji City Museum of ArtMuseum in Japan224 m
- Himeji City ZooWith kids · Wildlife261 m
- Hyōgo Prefectural Museum of HistoryBuilding in Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan328 m
- Himeji City Museum of LiteratureMuseum in Himeji, Hyōgo, Japan570 m
- KoganeBrewery823 m
Distances are as the crow flies. Everything else is in the Japan guide.
More in Japan: History
- Mount Fuji: volcano in Yamanashi and Shizuoka Prefectures, Japan
- Kiyomizu-dera: Buddhist temple in Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto
- Hiroshima Peace Memorial: architectural structure
- Itsukushima Shrine: Shinto shrine in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan
- Kinkaku-ji: Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan
- Hōryū-ji: Buddhist temple in Nara Prefecture, Japan
Every Japan place under History, each with its season, is on its page.
Frequently asked questions
What is Himeji Castle?
It is a Japanese castle complex (姫路城 in the local language). It has articles in 72 Wikipedias: it is one of the ten best-known places in Japan out of the 6,340 on this site.
When is the best time to visit Himeji Castle?
February to May and October to November. In June there are 14 h 20 of daylight, and in December, 9 h 40.
How do you get to Himeji Castle?
The nearest main airport is Kansai International Airport (KIX), 68 km as the crow flies. From there, directions opens the route on the map, and how to get around Japan is explained in its country guide.
How do I add it to my trip?
With one tap. In Kokai it is already on the Japan map, next to the places you save yourself: add it to a day's plan, give it a time and, if you like, get a reminder when you pass nearby.
What else is around here?
Nearby you have Himeji City Museum of Art, Himeji City Zoo, Hyōgo Prefectural Museum of History. The rest is in the Japan guide.
Keep reading
- Himeji18 places to see in and around Himeji, Japan: Himeji Castle, Engyō-ji, Ichijō-ji. Best time: February to May and October to November.
- History500 places for history in Japan, from Mount Fuji to spots hardly anyone knows. Best time: February to May and October to November. Each with its own season by altitude
- JapanBefore travelling to Japan: 10 things worth sorting out, each with its deadline. No visa is needed for tourism: up to 90 days with a valid passport.
- Where to travelPick what you fancy (mountains, beaches, museums…) and the months you have free, and Kokai tells you which countries to go to and what to see there.
Data from OpenStreetMap, licensed under the ODbL, and from Wikidata, CC0. More about Himeji Castle on Wikipedia. Daylight hours are calculated from the latitude. More in credits.