Himeji Favorites

Fondest memory: There are coin lockers available at JR Himeji Station for your backpacks & bags, and maybe your suitcase if it`s not too wide. The largest lockers are located IN the station (after you enter the gates or before you exit) & close to the South exit gates or to the left wall after you exit JR Central gate. There are also some lockers to the right of the central exit. Look for the Shinkansen ticket office & the lockers are to the left of it against the wall. The largest lockers cost 800yen. Make sure you have 100yen coins available as the lockers don`t take bills.

Favorite thing: For those who live in Himeji, you can go to Egret (next to Otenmae Park) 4th floor & use the internet for free.
For visitors, go to I LOVE YOU MULTIMEDIA STATION at Festa, underneath JR Himeji Station (10 mins, 100 yen). It`s the cheapest and most convenient for visitors to Himeji.
Please note: The signs outside the multimedia station says "Sanyo Driving School" as the station also doubles as an application point for the driving school. Don`t worry about that. Just go through the sliding door & you will see the computers to your left. The staff can speak a little English.

Favorite thing: Himeji Castle is an awesome sight. I think we went on the perfect day. The overcast day made for some great pictures!
Himeji is a designated World Heritage Cultural property. Many visitors to Japan often miss seeing the castle. It is a real shame because it is the most beautiful castle in Japan (in my opinion!).

Admission fee into the castle and grounds is 500 Yen.

Fondest memory: The Himeji City Museum of Art is at the vinicity of the Himehi Castle. The red brick building was once an armory. The works of the Belgian painter, Paul Delvaux are displayed here along with those of the local artists.

Open hour: 9:00-17:00 (18:00 summer)
Tel no.: 0792-22-2288

Favorite thing: There is an information center right outside of JR Himeji Station central exit. Come here for information & maps of Himeji. Open daily 10am-3pm. English staff available at certain times of the day. 0792-85-3792
There is also an information office underneath the station at FESTA with museum brochures & more maps. This is a self-service office. Go downstairs after exiting the train ticket gate, turn right and go straight down the shopping hall. Turn right again at the end and the information office is at the end of the hall in the corner on the right. They open until 7pm.

Favorite thing: The castle of Himeji is not just an beautiful example of a Japanese castle, inside there is also a museum that shows life in Shogun-era. With attributes, puppets etc. one has rebuilt pictures of the past. Very intresting, of course especially for a "Gaidjin" like me.

Fondest memory: Himeji-jo was built with much thought: accordingly, the walls of the donjon has openings that allowed defenders to pour boiling water (yeah!! boiling!!!) or oil on to anyone that made it past defensive slits & thinking of scaling the walls. Remember those ninja? (& I'm not referring to Ninja Turtle... hahaha...)

Favorite thing: Get yourself an English speaking guide! Ask at the castle reception. Guide service is only available on Sunday (but you can call up to check, tel: 0792-851146) & I managed to get myself a very knowledgable guide who's actually an Engineer! He's doing voluntary work on Sunday & at the same time practising his spoken English! What a great idea!


Fondest memory: According to my guide, Nobby Komatsu San, the emblems on these roof tiles dates back from the different era of shogun rulers. Every oni-gawara (or devil tile) & maru-gawara (or circle tile) used on the eaves has a family crest of the lords who built or repaired the castle.