You will receive a free quarterly E-mail Newsletter! Ryokan & Restaurants in Hyogo which are English-friendly. Guided Tours Available by volunteers in Hyogo Translation Service is also available. ~Castles & Castle Towns~ Castles & Castle Towns [ Sample Itinerary ] Himeji Castle(Harima) / Akashi Castle(Harima) / Ako Castle(Harima) Tatsuno Castle(Harima) / Takeda Castle Ruins(Tajima) / Izushi Castle(Tajima) Sasayama Castle(Tanba) / Sumoto Castle(Awaji) HIMEJI CASTLE, designated as a National Treasure and a World Heritage Site, Engyoji Temple used as a location for movies such as “THE LAST SAMURAI” and others. Himeji Castle is one of the 100 best cherry blossom viewing spots. At the beginning of April, the Himeji-jo Kan-o-kai, cherry blossom viewing party at Himeji Castle, is held and you can enjoy Japanese traditional drumming and so on. From Kobe to Himeji Sannomiya Station – 45 minutes by JR Sanyo line – Himeji Station Himeji Station 25 minutes by City Bus Shosha Ropeway Station 4 minutes by Ropeway Sanjo Station 15 minutes on foot ENGYOJI TEMPLE on Mt.Shosha TEL:0792-66-3327 This old temple was one location used for the movie “THE LAST SAMURAI”. Here you can see a great auditorium designated as an important cultural asset. Surrounded by quiet mountains, the place is like a secret world. **For more information http://www.hyogo-tourism.jp/english/himeji/himeji01.html 15 minutes on foot Sanjo Station 4 minutes by Ropeway Shosha Ropeway Station 3 minutes on food SHOSHA ART AND CRAFT MUSEUM TEL:0792-67-0301 This museum displays a lot of local crafts, calligraphy works, and 300 Buddha Images with humorous faces. Its beautiful bamboo garden is also worthwhile seeing. Here, you can try to make ‘Himeji’ papier-marche masks and so on. **For more information http://www.hyogo-tourism.jp/english/himeji/himeji01.html 20 minutes by City Bus Himeji-jo Otemae 1 minute on foot KOKOEN (Japanese Garden) TEL:0792-89-4190 Kokoen is composed of 9 traditional Japanese Gardens on the former site of the Himeji Lord’s mansion and his men’s samurai houses in the Edo period. The garden commands a wonderful view of Himeji Castle. There is a Japanese tearoom and a restaurant where you can also enjoy the view. **For more information http://www.ryokka.jibasan.or.jp/kokoen/index_en.html next to Kokoen HIMEJI CASTLE TEL:0792-85-1146 Himeji Castle is designated as a World Heritage Site and is called the Shirasagijo, or White Heron Castle because it looks like a beautiful white heron. The castle has kept its original design since the time of construction. **For more information http://www.himeji-castle.gr.jp/ next to Himeji Castle HYOGO PREFECTURAL MUSEUM OF HISTORY TEL:0792-88-9011 Hyogo Prefectural Museum of History features displays on the history of Hyogo. It displays a one-fifteenth scale model of Himeji Castle. Here, you can put on a Junihitoe, the ceremonial costume of court ladies in the Heian period, or Yoroi, Japanese Samurai armor. (3 times a day, one person at a time) **For more information http://www.hyogo-c.ed.jp/~rekihaku-bo/ 5 minutes on foot SPA HIMEJI in EGRET HIMEJI TEL:0792-89-3443 This spa commands a beautiful view of Himeji Castle, which has natural hot spring water. Here you can enjoy various baths such as footbath and so on. Open everyday: 10:00˜24:00 Admission: ¥1,000 10 minutes on foot Himeji Station The Top of This Page Hyogo Tourism Association Hyogo Prefectural Government Bldg. No.1,5-10-1 Shimoyamate-dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan Postal Code:650-8567 Tel:078-361-7661 Fax:078-361-7662 e-mail: