Getting to Himeji

By shinkansen
  • 45-55 min
  • ¥5,000
Covered by: Japan Rail Pass

Kyoto and Himeji are connected with each other by the JR Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen. Nozomi trains require about 45 minutes to reach Himeji Station from Kyoto, while direct Hikari trains require roughly 55 minutes. The regular one way fare from Kyoto to Himeji is around 5000 yen. The Japan Rail Pass fully covers Sakura, Hikari and Kodama trains, but a supplement fee is required on Nozomi trains.

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By local JR trains
  • 90 min
  • ¥2,310
Covered by: Japan Rail Pass

Direct JR special rapid trains (shin-kaisoku) take 90 minutes and cost 2310 yen one way between Kyoto and Himeji. There are departures roughly every 15 minutes. For visiting Himeji in a one day trip from Kyoto using this train, 1-Day JR Kansai Area Pass is a good deal.

By non-JR trains
  • 160 min
  • ¥1,730

From central Kyoto (Kyoto-Kawaramachi or Karasuma stations), take a Hankyu limited express to Hankyu Umeda Station (45 minutes, 410 yen one way), transfer to Hanshin Umeda Station (10 minute walk) and take a limited express train bound for Sanyo-Himeji Station (100 minutes, 1320 yen one way). Sanyo-Himeji Station is located near JR Himeji Station. This route is slower than using JR, but it is cheaper and fully covered by the Kansai Railway Pass.

Above fees and schedules are subject to change. Be sure to check current yen exchange rates.

Getting around

The broad Otemae-dori Street leads straight from JR Himeji Station to Himeji Castle. You can walk from the station to the castle's entrance gate in about 15-20 minutes.

Sanyo-Himeji Station, served by Sanyo Railway, is located just a short walk north of JR Himeji Station and provides direct train connections to/from Osaka's Hanshin Umeda Station.

Himeji is also covered by a dense bus network that is operated by Shinki Bus and centered around Himeji Station. Shinki Bus number 8 provides easy access to Mount Shosha. The ten major prepaid IC cards and the local Nicopa card can be used to pay the fare on Shinki buses.

Hotels around Himeji

Top rated in Himeji
Budget:
    • Shironoshita Guesthouse
      Budget-friendly
      Offering city views, Shironoshita Guesthouse is an accommodation situated in Himeji, 1.8 km from Himeji Castle and 31 km from Omiya Hachiman Shrine. With a shared lounge, the 1-star guest house has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a shared bathroom. The guest house has family rooms. At the guest house, units have bed linen and towels. Guests at the guest house can enjoy an American breakfast. There is a coffee shop on-site. Miki History Museum is 31 km from Shironoshita Guesthouse, while Miki City Horimitsu Art Museum is 31 km from the property. Kobe Airport is 66 km away.
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    • Himeji 588 Guest House
      Budget-friendly
      Located within 1.2 km of Himeji Castle and 33 km of Omiya Hachiman Shrine, Himeji 588 Guest House provides rooms with air conditioning and a shared bathroom in Himeji. The property is situated 33 km from Miki History Museum, 33 km from Miki City Horimitsu Art Museum and 33 km from Miki Municipal Hardware Museum. Jyogon-ji Temple is 35 km away and Jigen-ji Temple is 36 km from the guest house. At the guest house, every unit includes a tatami. Featuring a shared bathroom with a bidet and a hair dryer, units at the guest house also offer free WiFi. The units include bed linen. There is a coffee shop, bar and lounge. The Ruins of Miki Castle is 34 km from the guest house, while Shonyu-ji Temple is 34 km away. Kobe Airport is 66 km from the property.
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    • Hotel Monterey Himeji
      Luxury
      Featuring free WiFi, Hotel Monterey Himeji offers accommodation in Himeji. Guests can enjoy the on-site restaurant. Each room at this hotel is air conditioned and has a flat-screen TV. You will find a kettle in the room. The rooms come with a private bathroom fitted with a bath. Extras include slippers, free toiletries and a hairdryer. You will find a 24-hour front desk at the property. Himeji Castle is 1.2 km from Hotel Monterey Himeji, while Shikama-k? is 6 km from the property. The nearest airport is Kansai International Airport, 67 km from the property.
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    • Daiwa Roynet Hotel Himeji
      Luxury
      Located in Himeji, 1.7 km from Himeji Castle, Daiwa Roynet Hotel Himeji provides accommodation with a fitness centre, private parking and a restaurant. Located around 34 km from Omiya Hachiman Shrine, the hotel with free WiFi is also 34 km away from Miki History Museum. Guests can enjoy city views. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a desk, a kettle, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. At Daiwa Roynet Hotel Himeji every room is equipped with bed linen and towels. A buffet breakfast is available daily at the accommodation. Speaking English, Japanese and Korean at the 24-hour front desk, staff are ready to help around the clock. Miki City Horimitsu Art Museum is 34 km from Daiwa Roynet Hotel Himeji, while Miki Municipal Hardware Museum is 34 km away. Kobe Airport is 67 km from the property.
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    • Richmond Hotel Himeji
      Mid-range
      Featuring 3-star accommodation, Richmond Hotel Himeji is situated in Himeji, 3.1 km from Himeji Castle and 32 km from Omiya Hachiman Shrine. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage space, along with free WiFi throughout the property. Miki Municipal Hardware Museum is 34 km from the hotel and The Ruins of Miki Castle is 34 km away. All rooms are fitted with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a fridge, a kettle, a bidet, free toiletries and a desk. With a private bathroom fitted with a shower and a hairdryer, rooms at the hotel also feature a city view. At Richmond Hotel Himeji the rooms are fitted with bed linen and towels. A buffet breakfast is available each morning at the accommodation. Miki History Museum is 34 km from Richmond Hotel Himeji, while Miki City Horimitsu Art Museum is 34 km from the property. Kobe Airport is 67 km away.
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    • Tabist CapsuleHotel APODS Himeji Station
      Budget-friendly
      Tabist CapsuleHotel APODS Himeji Station is set in Himeji, within 1.8 km of Himeji Castle and 33 km of Omiya Hachiman Shrine. The property is around 34 km from Miki History Museum, 34 km from Miki City Horimitsu Art Museum and 34 km from Miki Municipal Hardware Museum. The property offers a 24-hour front desk and free WiFi is available. The units at the capsule hotel come with a TV and a safety deposit box. At Tabist CapsuleHotel APODS Himeji Station all rooms are equipped with bed linen and towels. The Ruins of Miki Castle is 34 km from the accommodation, while Shonyu-ji Temple is 34 km away. Kobe Airport is 66 km from the property.
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    • Dormy Inn Himeji Natural Hot Spring
      Mid-range
      Only a 3-minute walk from JR Himeji Station, Dormy Inn Himeji Natural Hot Spring offers modern rooms with free WiFi is provided throughout the property. Guests can relax in the public hot-spring baths or request massages for an extra cost. The air-conditioned rooms feature a flat-screen satellite TV, fridge and an electric kettle with green tea bags. The en suite bathrooms come with a shower, toilet, hairdryer and free toiletries. There is a sauna at this hotel where guests can relax from their travels. A coin-launderette is available at the hotel. Copy services and luggage storage are available at the front desk. Taxi arrangements can also be made at the reception. A buffet breakfast is served at the on-site restaurant. Dormy Inn Himeji Natural Hot Spring is a 20-minute walk from the world heritage site of Himeji Castle. Both Shoshazan Engyo-ji Temple and Himeji Central Park are a 30-minute drive away from Dormy Inn Himeji Natural Hot Spring. Guests can also take JR Tokaido-Sanyo Line to Kobe Station in 40 minutes or Super Hakuto 13 Limited ExpressTottori for 60 minutes to reach Osaka Station.
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    • Comfort Hotel Himeji
      Mid-range
      An 8-minute walk from JR Himeji Train Station, Comfort Hotel Himeji features free WiFi and guests can enjoy complimentary coffee and breakfast. Massages can be requested for additional charge. Air-conditioned rooms are equipped with an LCD TV, a small fridge and an attached bathroom with toiletries. The Himeji Comfort Hotel provides a launderette, while the reception is staffed around the clock. Parking is available at a charge. A daily buffet with warm and cold dishes is available free of charge at the lounge space, between 06:30 and 09:30. Guests can enjoy a variety of fresh breads and other Western and Japanese breakfast foods. Hotel Comfort Himeji is a 15-minute walk from both Himeji Castle and Koko-en Garden.
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    • ONE HOSTEL Himeji
      Budget-friendly
      Offering city views, ONE HOSTEL Himeji is an accommodation set in Himeji, 1.5 km from Himeji Castle and 33 km from Omiya Hachiman Shrine. Among the facilities at this property are full-day security and luggage storage space, along with free WiFi throughout the property. This 1-star guest house offers private entrance. The units come with air conditioning, a microwave, a fridge, a kettle, a bidet, a hair dryer and a dressing room. At the guest house, all units are soundproof. At the guest house, the units come with bed linen and towels. There is a snack bar, bar and lounge. A bicycle rental service is available at the guest house. Miki History Museum is 33 km from ONE HOSTEL Himeji, while Miki City Horimitsu Art Museum is 33 km away. Kobe Airport is 66 km from the property.
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    • JR CLEMENT INN HIMEJI
      Mid-range
      JR CLEMENT INN HIMEJI is located in Himeji, 2.7 km from Himeji Castle and 34 km from Omiya Hachiman Shrine. With a restaurant, the 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi. Private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. At the hotel, each room is equipped with a desk and a flat-screen TV. At JR CLEMENT INN HIMEJI each room is fitted with bed linen and towels. A buffet breakfast is available daily at the accommodation. Staff at JR CLEMENT INN HIMEJI are available to provide guidance at the 24-hour front desk. Miki History Museum is 34 km from the hotel, while Miki City Horimitsu Art Museum is 34 km away. Kobe Airport is 67 km from the property.
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