Facilities and Sights
1.Himeji Castle
TEL 079-285-1146Twenty minutes' walk from central exit of Himeji Station.
- Admission hours: 9:00 - 16:00 (until 17:00 from June to August)
- Closed: December 29 to 31
2.Koko-en
TEL 079-289-4120A Japanese garden located on western side of Himeji Castle.
- Admission hours: 9:00 - 16:30 (until 17:30 from June to August)
- Closed: December 29 to January 1
3.Himeji City Museum of Art
TEL 079-222-2288Museum of classical appearance decorated in bricks offers collections of works by local artists. Displays also include splendid works by other Japanese artists, as well as artists from abroad.
- Admission hours: 10:00 - 16:30
- Closed Mondays (excluding national holidays), day after a national holiday (excluding Saturday and Sunday), December 25 - January 5
4.Hyogo Prefectural Museum of History
TEL 079-288-9011Located on the northern side of the Museum of Art, the Museum of History will reopen in the Spring of 2007 after renovation. Displays will focus on the history of Hyogo, castles, festivals, children's cultural activities and other historical aspects.
- Admission hours: 10:00 - 16:30
- Closed Mondays (following day if Monday is a national holiday), year-end and new year holidays
5.Himeji Zoo
TEL 079-284-3636At the Zoo located on the eastern side of Himeji Castle, visitors can observe approximately 400 animals of 120 species.
- Admission hours: 9:00 - 16:30
- Closed: December 29 to January 1
6.Himeji City Museum of Literature
TEL 079-293-8228Located on the northwestern side of Himeji Castle, the Museum of Literature mainly features writers, poets, and other cultural figures born in Himeji. Take Shinki Bus lines 11, 12, 13, 41, 42, 43, 45, 46, 51, 52 or 53 from the northern side of Himeji Station (in front of UFJ Bank). Three minutes' walk from "Ichinohashi Bungakukan mae" bus stop.
- Admission hours: 10:00 - 16:30
- Closed on Mondays (following day if Monday is a national holiday), day after a national holiday, December 25 - January 5
7.Sakurayama area
(Hoshinoko Yakata (astronomic observatory facility for children), Himeji City Science Museum, Kodomo no Yakata (Hyogo Children's Center), Shizen Kansatsu no Mori (Nature Center))Take Shinki bus for Oichi from the bus terminal on the northern side of Himeji Station. Get off at "Hoshinoko Yakata mae" stop for Hoshinoko Yakata and Himeji City Science Museum, at "Kodomo no Yakata mae" stop for the Children's Center, and at "Shizen Kansatsu no Mori" stop for the Nature Center.
(1)Hoshinoko Yakata
TEL 079-267-3050- Admission hours: 9:00 - 17:00 Star-sighting activities: twice daily, from 19:00 and 20:00 (reservation required)
- Closed on 2nd Wednesdays excluding August and December (Closed on the next day if the Monday is a national holiday), December 28 - January 4
(2)Himeji City Science Museum "Atom no Yakata"
TEL 079-267-3001- Admission hours: 9:15 - 17:00
- Closed on Mondays (following day if Monday is a national holiday), day after a national holiday, year-end and new year holidays
(3)Shizen Kansatsu no Mori(Nature Center)
TEL 079-269-1260- Admission hours: 9:00 - 16:30
- Closed on Mondays (following day if Monday is a national holiday), day after a national holiday (excluding Saturday and Sunday), December 28 - January 4
(4)Hyogo Children's Center
TEL 079-267-1153- Admission hours: 9:30 - 16:30
- Closed on Tuesdays (following day when Tuesday is a national holiday), last day of the month, December 28 - January 4
8.Engyo Temple on Mt. Shosha
Take City Bus line 8 for "Shosha Ropeway" from City Bus Terminal No.2 (northern side of JR Himeji Sta.). Get off at the final stop.A 5-minute ride on the ropeway and a 20-minute walk takes you to the site, where you can enjoy the harmonious landscape of the Buddhist temple and its natural beauty.
- Ropeway hours: 8:30 - 17:00 (extended on Sundays and national holidays)
9.Shosha Art and Craft Museum
TEL 079-267-0301Use same bus line as for Engyo Temple
- Admission hours: 10:00 - 16:30
- Closed on Mondays (following day if Monday is a national holiday), day after a national holiday (excluding Saturday, Sunday and national holidays), December 25 - January 5
10.Nagoyama Cemetery
TEL 079-297-5030Take Shinki Bus lines: get off at "Nagoyama kitaguchi" stop when using lines via Yokozeki and at "Kurumazaki" stop when using the Imajuku loop line.
- Bussharito admission hours: 8:40 - 16:30
- Closed: December 29 - 31
11.Tegarayama Chuokoen (park)
Five-minute walk from Sanyo Electric Railway Tegara Station(1)Tegarayama Yuen(amusement park)
TEL 079-296-0503- Hours: 10:00 - 17:00
- Closed: December 29 - January 1, Wednesdays (excluding national holidays)
(2)Shimin (Citizens') Swimming Pool
TEL 079-296-0503- Open days vary year to year.
- Hours: 9:30 - 18:00 (no holidays during open period)
(3)Tegarayama Botanical Garden
TEL 079-296-4300- Hours: 9:00 - 16:30
- Closed on Fridays (previous day if Friday is a national holiday), December 29 - January 1
(4)Aquarium
TEL 079-297-0321- Hours: 9:00 - 16:30
- Closed on December 29 to January 1
(5)Historical Peace Center
TEL 079-291-2525- Hours: 9:30 - 16:30
- Closed on Mondays (excluding national holidays), following day if a national holiday (excluding Saturday, Sunday, national holidays), December 28 to January 5
12."Mizu no Yakata," Water Museumy
TEL 079-264-0411Unique displays using latest audiovisual equipment to provide visitors with various information about "water"
- Hours: 10:00 - 16:30
- Closed on Mondays (following day when Monday is a national holiday), December 28 to January 4
13.Himeji Archaeological Research Center
TEL 079-252-3950The Center offers displays of archaeological artifacts excavated in Himeji, from which visitors can learn about the ancient history of Himeji. Three-minute walk from "Sakamoto" stop. Take City bus line for "Mino Kofungun."
- Hours: 10:00 - 16:30
- Closed on Mondays (following day if Monday is a national holiday), day after national holiday (excluding Saturday, Sunday and national holidays), December 28 to January 4