Himeji Castle Half-Day Customized Tour — Guide Hiro

What Is a Private Himeji Castle and Kokoen Garden Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests arrived in Himeji on the rapid train and we were able to meet on time, then headed toward Himeji Castle while enjoying the trick art along Miyuki-dori shopping street. The trick art featuring ukiyo-e and the Choju-giga scrolls was a big hit with the guests. The guests seemed to have a deep love of Japanese history and culture, and listened intently to the history of Himeji Castle and its defensive mechanisms. The rest of the group also appeared very interested, and in addition to the defensive structures, they were drawn to the layout of the keep and the joinery techniques used in restoring the great pillars and beams. Since they seemed to be sightseeing with Osaka as their base, I introduced the Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum near Shin-Kobe Station in case they had time. They fully enjoyed the view from the top floor of the great keep. After some shopping, we moved on to Kokoen Garden. We toured the nine different styles of gardens, and they especially seemed to like the beautiful koi in the garden of the largest residence, once the site of the former Himeji Castle lord's west residence, as well as the Teikyo Bridge that spans the maple valley and the waterfall falling into the pond from the roofed veranda of the Choontei. A crow or a duck was bathing at the top of the waterfall, which they also found amusing. We ended the tour just outside Kokoen Garden, but since they said they would walk back to Miyuki-dori for a late lunch, I accompanied them as far as Nikaimachi-suji before parting ways.

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Tour Report by Hiro

I am Hiromi Mizoi, call me Hiro. I mainly have Himeji tours because I live in Himeji. I got my National Guide Certificate in 2017. I started to guide tourists as a volunteer guide in 2004. I had been a volunteer guide for a long time. However, I could not have any tours from April in 2020 to November in 2022 due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. Now, many tourists have come back to Japan. So, I am very excited. I would like to share not only the beauty of Himeji Castle’s Main Tower Complex but also the tricky defense systems of the entire Castle Grounds, which many visitors do not realize, with you. I was born and grew up very close to the west side of the moats of the Castle. So, I love Himeji Castle. I like other tourists’ favorite sightseeing spots such as Kokoen Garden and Engyoji Temple in Mt. Shosya. As one of Himeji locals, I am greatly happy to share the local people’s favorite spots with you. I look forward to your tours.