Himeji Castle & Koko-en Japanese Gardens | Japan’s Most Beautiful Castle Town 🇯🇵

Himeji Castle & Koko-en Japanese Gardens | Japan’s Most Beautiful Castle Town 🇯🇵

A day trip from Osaka to explore Himeji Castle, Japan’s best-preserved samurai fortress, and Koko-en Garden, a stunning collection of nine Edo-period gardens. Whether you’re a history lover, a nature (Japanese gardens) enthusiast, or just looking for a peaceful getaway, Himeji is a must-visit destination. Please let us know in the comments if this video is a helpful travel guide for you.

Himeji is a peaceful city that blends history and modern life, with Himeji Castle as its crown jewel. Himeji Castle is one of Japan’s most visited historical landmarks. Himeji is well-developed, with modern infrastructure, shopping streets, and a central train station. It’s a mid-sized city with a population of around 500,000

📍 How to Get to Himeji from Osaka 🚆
Getting to Himeji from Osaka is super easy and only takes about 30 minutes by Shinkansen (bullet train)! Here’s how:
✔️ Shinkansen (Bullet Train) – Take the JR Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station to Himeji Station (around 30 min).
✔️ JR Special Rapid Service – A cheaper option using the JR Special Rapid Service from Osaka Station to Himeji Station (~1 hour).
✔️ Once in Himeji – From Himeji Station, it’s a 15-minute walk straight to Himeji Castle.

We took the JR Special Rapid Service, the best option for time and money. The Shinkansen is faster but expensive.

🏯 Himeji Castle – A Spectacular Samurai Fortress
Himeji Castle (姫路城), or “White Heron Castle”, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Japan’s most spectacular and well-preserved samurai castle.
✔️ Built in 1609 and has survived wars, earthquakes, and fires without being rebuilt.
✔️ Features six floors and over 300 steep steps leading to breathtaking panoramic views of Himeji City.
✔️ Famous for its intricate defensive systems, stunning white walls, and Shachihoko (mythical fish statues) believed to protect against fire.
✔️ Admission: ¥1,000 (~$6.50 USD)

What we found funny in visiting the castle were the stairs. They are almost vertical, making you nearly climb to go up 🙂 It is that way because they built it as a fortress.

📍 Himeji Castle Address:
68 Honmachi, Himeji, Hyogo 670-0012, Japan

🌿 Koko-en Garden – A Hidden Edo-Period Gem
Located next to Himeji Castle, Koko-en (好古園) is a breathtaking Japanese garden designed in Edo-period style.
✔️ Nine separate gardens, including koi ponds, waterfalls, bamboo groves, and a traditional tea house.
✔️ Experience a peaceful retreat after exploring the castle.
✔️ You can enjoy a matcha tea experience in the garden’s tea house.
✔️ Admission: ¥310 (~$2 USD) or ¥1,050 for a combo ticket with Himeji Castle.

If you wonder what we loved the most in these Japanese gardens, I would say that we loved everything. While editing this video, back home, I realized it is actually on top of everything we visited in our trips to Japan.

📍 Koko-en Garden Address:
Himeji Castle Nishi-Oyashiki-ato Garden KOKO-EN, 68 Honmachi, Himeji, Hyogo 670-0012, Japan

☕ Kuuhaku Coffee – A Perfect Café Stop
After visiting the castle and gardens, I stopped by Kuuhaku Coffee, a stylish café known for its specialty brews and cozy ambiance. Definitely worth a visit!

What we liked most at this shop was how nice and polite the barista was. And then, watching him prepare the coffees for us and the other guests, I knew he was also a very skilled barista.

📍 Kuuhaku Coffee Address:
68-42 Honmachi, Himeji, Hyogo 670-0012, Japan

00:00 – Intro | Himeji Castle
00:25 – Intro | Koko-en Garden
01:15 – Traveling from Osaka to Himeji
03:09 – Walking toward Himeji Castle
03:59 – Taiyaki—Fish-Shaped Pastries
04:40 – Walking to the Castle Gates
06:15 – From the Main Gate to the Castle Entrance
11:01 – Getting Tickets for Himeji Castle
11:39 – Walking to the Castle Entrance Door
16:38 – Taking Off Shoes & Entering the Castle
17:06 – Exploring the First Floor
17:51 – Visiting All Castle Floors
22:48 – Walking Down & Exiting the Castle
25:41 – Leaving the Castle Grounds
28:15 – Walking Towards Koko-en Garden
29:28 – Exploring the Koko-en Japanese Garden
38:50 – Kuuhaku Coffee Break
44:00 – Walking to Himeji Station & Heading Home

📌 Why Visit Himeji?
✅ EASY day trip from Osaka – Just 30 minutes by Shinkansen!
✅ Explore a real samurai castle with stunning architecture & history.
✅ Relax in an authentic Edo-period Japanese garden.
✅ Perfect photo spots! 📸

Exploring Japan Himeji style means history, nature, and good vibes. If you love Japanese castles travel vlogs, this one’s for you!

#travel #traveljapan #castle #garden #gardens #vlog #japanlifestyle #japantravel

✨ Thank you for watching!
I hope you enjoyed this journey through Himeji Castle & Koko-en Gardens! If you liked this video, hit the like button, subscribe for more Japan travel content, and drop a comment if you’ve ever been here or plan to visit!