Kansai Tips | Kansai Japan

Himeji Out and About

Posted on 28. May, 2009 by admin.

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Himeji, Japan is a small city in the Hyogo Prefecture. Himeji has a population of 535,371 people as of 2008. Himeji was originally a castle town – which means all commerce and governance were administered through the Himeji Castle. The city is a favorite tourist destination for both local and foreign tourists, mostly due to the natural landscape, calm surroundings, and laid-back atmosphere. Himeji is also a popular weekend destination for residents of nearby Kobe and Osaka.

Much of the old architecture is still preserved in Himeji, Japan. The origins of the city date back to the 14th century. Back then, it was used as a fort before becoming the site of Himeji castle. The Himeji Castle expanded with the transition of dynasties until the 16th century. Since then, the affairs of Himeji have revolved around the castle until the end of the Meiji period.

Himeji Castle

Himeji, Japan is well known around the world for the grand Himeji Castle. This castle is considered Japan’s most beautiful castle because of its wide white façade and timeless architectural style.

The design of Himeji Castle is representative of the castle architecture during the peak of feudal Japan. The castle contains many architectural features that mostly serve as defensive cover for royalty living inside the castle. The Himeji Castle has washed walls, a tall foundation, and a large series of buildings joined together to complete the castle design. The Himeji Castle also has a room for weapons storage and launching pads for stone-dropping weapons.

The Himeji Castle is also popular because of the mysterious elements that continually thrill tourists. One of the most important elements behind the Himeji Castle is the collection of maze paths that lead to the main keep. The castle is surrounded by gates, high walls, and baileys that were built to contain oncoming attackers. The attackers had to go through a spiral maze filled with dead ends to prevent them from getting to the keep, while exposing them to stone throws during the approach. No one dared to attack Himeji Castle for fear of getting lost and trapped inside the maze.

Today, Himeji Castle serves as a symbol of Japanese art and a national treasure. The castle is one of UNESCO’s declared world heritage sites. A major renovation project is planned from 2009 to 2014 to preserve the Himeji Castle.

Other Sites In Himeji, Japan

Himeji has other attractive tourist spots besides the Himeji Castle. Many pilgrims visit the Shoshazan Engyon Ji, a small temple of the Tendai Sect. This picturesque temple is one of the settings of the popular Tom Cruise movie, The Last Samurai.

After visiting the temple, tourists can hike outdoors or bring their family to Himeji Central Park. The park is the only safari and amusement park in the Kansai region. The drive-through safari features large cats such as cheetahs, lions, and tigers. The safari also has a large collection of giraffes, bharals, bisons, and zebras. Elephants and white rhinoceroses also live in the Himeji Central Park. The park is the only aerial safari in Japan. After a date with the animals, children can play and enjoy the Child’s Farm, Kangaroo Park, amusement rides, ice park, and ice skating rink.

The Mount Seppiko range is a rock climber’s heaven. This group of mountains has a maximum elevation of just over 3,000 feet with a wide range of peaks and troughs. The steep cliffs, magnificent views, and calm surroundings make it one of the most attractive rock climbing destinations in the Kansai area.

Getting To Himeji, Japan

Himeji, Japan is a city in the Hyogo Prefecture, located only a few miles away from Kobe and Osaka. To get to Himeji, you can take a flight and land in domestic airports in Kobe or Osaka. The nearest international airport from Himeji is Kansai International Airport. From the airport, you can ride the Bullet Train to Himeji. The train ride will take one hour from Kobe. You can also take a bus or a taxi to Himeji although the fare is more expensive.

Himeji, Japan is located along the Shinkansen line of the bullet train system. This line starts from Osaka, then to Kobe, and finally to Okayama and Hiroshima. You can also ride the train to Himeji from Tokyo. You should ask for a map of train routes and the schedule, so you can plan your trip and get to Himeji conveniently. Japan has an elaborate train system that can be very confusing for foreigners.

The Shink Bus system operates an overnight transportation service from Tokyo to Himeji. The bus trip from Tokyo to Himeji is approximately 9 hours.

Shopping In Himeji, Japan

There are many shops in Himeji that sell local and exotic crafts or goods. Most of the shops are located along the route leading to the Himeji Castle. These shops sell assorted souvenirs. Himeji also has department stores that sell the usual Japanese fashion items and Japanese gadgetry.

The Festa is a shopping area located just below the Himeji Station. This area serves local residents and tourists arriving at the station. Festa has a large collection of women’s clothing and a library of English language books, magazines, and comics.

Animate is a popular anime and manga shop in Himeji. You can buy a large selection of materials that you can bring home to your anime-loving friends. Find DVD’s, comics, collector’s items, and anime souvenirs in Animate. You can also buy demos, anime soundtracks, and PC games in the shop.

Himeji, Japan has shops for budget shoppers and bargain hunters. Daiso is the largest 100-yen and under store in the city. Its three floors stock a gamut of goods including house wares, clothes, electronics, and food. You can also find a lot of novelty items worthy of show and tell to friends back home. Be prepared to fight the large crowds who regularly shop there. Getting in and out of the shop can be very inconvenient, although it can also become a fun and unique shopping experience.

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Tsukiji Market Lifts Tourist Ban

Posted on 19. Jan, 2009 by admin.

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Ok not Kansai related, but tourists come here to find info on the Kansai region and they do end up traveling to/from Tokyo on their trips.

This CNN video explains why the ban started and now it has ended. Tsukiji is back open!

Tsukiji Tourist Ban Lifted

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Single Travelers

Posted on 05. Aug, 2006 by admin.

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People traveling solo will find Japan very accomodating. There are capsule hotels, and lots of hotels have single priced rooms that don’t cause extra. A large portion of restaurants and eating establishments have either counters inside or walk up counters outside.

Tourist offices located in most train stations can handle booking accomodations for you too.

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Ryouan-ji

Posted on 24. Jul, 2006 by admin.

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Ryouan-ji is a temple that contains perhaps the most famous Japanese rock garden in the world. The reason being it was the first rock garden.

The entrance fee is a little high in our opinion for what you get to see at the temple. Ryouanji is not very large and there is not much to see here aside from the rock garden. As usual, you swap your shoes for sandals and walk through the small temple.

There are many tourists sitting and watching the rock garden quietly. If you think you won ‘t be upset missing this attraction we would recommend skipping it. However, the grounds of Ryouanji are quite beautiful and definitely worth the trip by themselves.

The Temple and Rock Garden

Enjoying the moment

The Grounds of Ryouanji

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Enryakuji Temple

Posted on 21. Jul, 2006 by admin.

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On top of Mt. Hiei sits Enryaku-ji temple. The founder of the Tendai sect of Buddhism, Saicho established the temple in 788. Enryaku-ji is still a very active temple where monks practice. Monks at this temple have kept a sacred fire going for 1200 years straight.

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Ninaji Temple

Posted on 18. Jul, 2006 by admin.

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Reserved for Ninaji Temple.

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Nijo Castle

Posted on 18. Jul, 2006 by admin.

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Nijo Castle, or Nijo-jo, is a walled fortified castle surrounded by a moat. This castle gets very busy so you may want to arrive early in the day. Nijo Castle is a Unesco World Heritage Site. Nijo-jo was built for the Tokugawa Shoguns. The floors were built in a way to specifically make a creaking noise to warn of enemies.

Getting to Nijo Castle

From Kyoto station buy a bus pass. The place to buy a pass is outside the station, straight ahead on the right hand side. You will want to take the City bus 9, 12, 50, or 101.

You can alternatively take the subway from Kyoto Station to Nijojomae station on the Tozai Line.

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Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavillion)

Posted on 17. Jul, 2006 by admin.

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Kinkakuji Temple is known as the Gold Pavilion. However, its formal and true name is Rokuon-ji. If you look at Unesco’s list of sites they list this temple as Rokuon-ji. Kinkakuji was built in 1397 by Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu and covered in gold to display great presence. Kinkakuji was destroyed by fire in 1950 and was rebuilt in 1955 better than its ever looked before.

Why is it called the Gold Pavillion?

The temple is covered in gold leaf. However, the first floor is not gold at all.

Temple Grounds

The grounds of Kinkakuji are great to wander through. The path takes you around the back of the temple and up the stone steps and a slight hill to the Shinun Shrine where there is also a shopping opportunity. Sample some bean curb sweets here too.

All over Japan’s famous sites you will see loads of school children on field trips, much more than you may be used to seeing anywhere else in the world. Kinkakuji is no different, in fact its the most popular. Westerners are guaranteed to be approach by kids wanting to practice their English. Questions such as “where are you from?” are regular. You may even be asked to take pictures and sign autographs.
Golden Temple Kyoto Enter the golden temple