Himeji Castle Half-Day Customized Tour — Guide Norio

Title: What Is a Private Himeji Castle Tour Like on a Rainy Day? A Licensed Guide's Report

Today's guests were a group visiting from North America. They arrived in Himeji by cruise ship. We met at the north exit of Himeji Station and toured Castle View and Himeji Castle. It was raining heavily that day, which made walking in areas without cover quite difficult. Some of the guests also had difficulty walking.

For this reason, after taking photos at Sangoku-bori, the whole group went to Nishi-no-Maru, but at the guests' request we divided the group into two smaller groups. One part of the group toured the Nishi-no-Maru Nagatsubone and Hyakken Corridor while sheltering from the rain, while the others visited the main keep with the guide. However, even the main keep tour did not go all the way up to the top floor; after seeing the large pillar on the third floor, we came back down.

After the main keep tour, the whole group gathered again at Nishi-no-Maru, and after discussing, we decided not to go to Koko-en in the heavy rain. Instead, we went into a café and had almond toast, a Himeji specialty. Everyone was delighted and found it delicious. One of the guests wished to purchase a sake vessel as a gift, so I guided them to a ceramics specialty shop in Nikaimachi. Although they did not find the exact sake vessel they had in mind, everyone enjoyed browsing with great interest. As a result, the tour ran considerably over the scheduled time, so we ended the tour here. Although the tour differed from what had originally been planned due to the heavy rain, the guests were pleased with the tour.

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Tour Report by Norio

Hello, my name is Norio Oki, a Government-Certified Tour Guide in Japan.
I specialize in guiding visitors through the beautiful and historic regions of Himeji and Kobe.

My expertise includes Japanese history, traditional culture, castles, and sake. I enjoy sharing not only facts, but also the stories and spirit behind each place.

In Himeji, I offer guided tours of Himeji Castle, Kokoen Garden, Shoshazan Engyoji Temple, and Nadagiku Sake Brewery.
In Kobe, I guide guests through the Nada Sake Breweries area, Mt. Rokko, Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden, Harborland, Meriken Park, the Kitano District, Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, and the lively Motomachi Shopping Street.

Whether you’re interested in history, nature, or local experiences, I will create a personalized tour tailored to your interests.

If you’re planning to visit Himeji or Kobe, I would be delighted to be your guide.
I look forward to meeting you soon!