Himeji Castle & Koko-en in 1 Day Tour — Guide Hiro

What Can You See in Himeji When Himeji Castle Is Closed? A Licensed Guide's Private Tour Report

Himeji Castle is closed on December 29 and 30, and surrounding facilities such as Kokoen Garden are also closed during that period, so I informed the guests in advance through email exchanges. The planned course mainly included Engyoji Temple on Mount Shosha, Otokoyama Hachimangu Shrine and Senhime Tenmangu Shrine on Mount Otokoyama to the northwest of Himeji Castle, the majestic view of the Himeji Castle keep group from the reservoir, and a walk from Mount Otokoyama through the middle moat, the inner moat, and Sannomaru Square, continuing along the moats.

Because the Shinkansen arrived a little earlier than the original meeting time, after we met I had the guests reconfirm the options before the bus departure time. At Engyoji Temple on Mount Shosha, we walked the mountain approach path from the offering hall, and visited the main hall Maniden, the three halls that served as a filming location for The Last Samurai, and the Honda family mausoleum, then went on to the inner sanctuary. We were able to take our time especially at the dining hall, which can be viewed inside the three halls. The beautiful autumn foliage had already ended, but the guests very much enjoyed the mystical atmosphere of the mountain approach path and the areas around the halls.

The guests listened with interest to the stories of the shrines on Mount Otokoyama and their various origins, as well as the origins of the surrounding low mountains from the Harima Fudoki. They also seemed to enjoy the view of the Himeji Castle keep group from the reservoir park at the summit, the stroll along the Semba River, which was the former outer moat on the west side, and along the middle moat, and then Sannomaru Square inside the inner moat — a course quite different from the usual tour. The guests said that when they come to Japan next time, they would definitely like to visit Himeji Castle and Kokoen Garden.

I recommended lunch, but during the wait for the bus they ate a sweet bun and said that was fine. Finally, on the way to Himeji Station, they enjoyed the trick art along Miyuki-dori, and the tour ended at JR Himeji Station. Even though it was during the period when Himeji Castle and Kokoen Garden were closed, the guests said they had thoroughly enjoyed themselves, which was a relief.

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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.