Himeji Castle Half-Day Customized Tour — Guide Norio

Title: What Is a Private Himeji Castle and Koko-en Garden Tour Like from Himeji Port? A Licensed Guide's Report

Today's guests were a group visiting Japan from North America. Some of the guests had been to Japan several times before, while it was the first visit to Japan for the others.

Getting from Himeji Port to Himeji Castle is always a challenge. The reason is that the "shuttle bus" arranged by operators costs as much as 20 dollars per person, so few people use it, and today there was a long line at the taxi stand as well.

Even when I called the taxi company I usually rely on, they said they were fully booked today. Looking around, I noticed a jumbo taxi parked nearby. When I asked, they said they could take us to Himeji Castle for 6,000 yen. So we used the taxi with a total of nine people, including three acquaintances of the guests. This taxi had actually come to pick up a customer who was supposed to go to Enkyo-ji Temple on Mount Shosha, but that customer never showed up. Thanks to that, we were able to get to Himeji Castle without any wait.

At Himeji Castle, we took photos while sightseeing. The group tended to spread out and were not always together, and sometimes the guide's explanations were not heard (some of the guests did not understand English). In any case, the sightseeing took quite a lot of time. After touring Himeji Castle, we rested for a while in the shade while eating ice cream, and then continued on to Koko-en Garden. Everyone said Koko-en was beautiful and enjoyed it very much.

After touring Koko-en Garden, the guests said they were hungry, so we took a taxi to Himeji Station and I brought them to a nearby restaurant to conclude the tour. Everyone was very pleased.

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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!