During my trip to Japan, I visited in one day two impressive castles. The White Castle in Himeji and the Black Castle in Okayama. Here I tell you about my experience, how to get to each place, a bit of history of each temple, and what you can expect from each city.
Also, close to these two places is Kurashiki, an ancient Japanese village that has managed to preserve a beautiful old town and that I did not hesitate to visit. I hope this guide will be of help to you. Let’s get started:
1. Himeji Castle, the white castle
Himeji Castle, or also nicknamed “White Heron Castle”, is located in the town of Himeji, in Hyogo Prefecture. It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1993 and it is one of Japan’s three most famous castles, along with Matsumoto Castle and Kumamoto Castle.
It should be noted that in Japan most castles are replicas of old castles that were destroyed by fire, earthquake or war. However, Himeji Castle is the original. It was first built in 1346 and is now one of the oldest structures in medieval Japan.
The castle is situated on a hill. The area surrounding the main tower is a labyrinth of gates, passageways, walls and secret rooms that made it difficult for the invader to enter the castle and made it easier for defenders to attack them by surprise.
What other places of interest can I visit in Himeji?
- Koko-en Garden: A traditional Japanese garden near the castle, divided into nine sections with ponds, teahouses and landscapes designed in the Edo style. Recommended for enjoying the tranquility, especially during the flowering seasons.
- Mount Shosha and Engyo-ji Temple: On the outskirts of Himeji. Reached by cable car. This Buddhist temple is known for its serene atmosphere and historic buildings, some of which were the setting for films such as The Last Samurai. It is ideal for hikers and lovers of spirituality.
- Himeji City Aquarium: In Tegarayama Park. Ideal for families. It exhibits a variety of marine species and educational programs.
- Historic City Center: Shopping streets such as Miyuki-dori and Omizosuji are lined with stores, restaurants and cafes where you can sample local delicacies.
What’s the cheapest way to go from Kyoto to Himeji?
In my case that I went without the JR Pass I was always looking for the cheapest way to move around Japan. To go from Kyoto to Himeji, I took the Hankyu line to Umeda station in Osaka for 400 yen (3.2 euros).
Then I got out of the subway and went to the train station, which is only 10 minutes walk from the Umeda station. If you follow the signs in search of the Hanshi train line you will not be lost. Once I reached the entrance gates to the Hanshi tracks, I bought the ticket to Himeji in the vending machines for 1280 yen (10 euros).
Where to stay in Himeji?
If you don’t have too much time, you don’t need to stay a night in Himeji. You can see the castle in the morning and at noon you can go and see the Okayama Castle. So you will see two castles in one day, one white and one black.
However, if you travel with enough time and feel like staying over in Himeji, you won’t find much variety of hostels. In my case, I stayed at the One Hostel & Standing Bar. It cost me 2500 yen (20 euros) one night. It seemed very expensive for what it was but the location, close to the castle, was unbeatable.
2. Okayama Castle, the black castle
Okayama is only 90 km south of Himeji. If you want to escape from Japan’s most popular tourist routes, this is a good place. Yet in Okayama there is not much to see. Highlights include Okayama Castle and Korakuen Gardens, both built during the Edo period (1603-1868).
Okayama Castle is a replica built in 1966 since in 1945 the original castle was bombed by Allied troops during World War II. Also known as the “Raven Castle” because of its distinctive black facade. The castle is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm. Admission to the castle usually costs between 300 and 500 yen.
Korakuen Gardens has the privilege of being among the top three gardens in Japan, along with Kenrokuen Gardens in Kanazawa City and Kairakuen Gardens in Mito City. Built in the 17th century, it offers extensive landscapes with ponds, artificial hills, tea houses and views of Okayama Castle.
Other places of interest to see in Okayama:
If you want to stay more days in Okayama, you may also be interested in these places of interest:
- Okayama Prefectural Museum of Art: Exhibits traditional and contemporary Japanese art, including works related to the history and culture of the region.
- Kibiji Orientation Museum: Explores the ancient history of the region, especially the Kibi culture, which flourished before Japan was unified.
- Kibi Plain Cycling Route: A scenic cycling route of about 17 km through rice fields, temples and ancient burial mounds (kofun), allowing you to explore Okayama’s rural landscape.
How to go from Himeji to Okayama?
From Himeji I took the one and a half hour train to Okayama for 1390 yen (11.2 euros). You can stay overnight in Okayama or Kurashiki, a small village with a nice old town with traditional Japanese houses and canals where you can take a boat ride if you like.
Where to stay in Okayama?
Accommodation in both Okayama and Kurashiki is quite expensive. At Okayama prices do not fall below 20 euros per night and in Kurashiki they do not fall below 30 euros. That’s why and because I was a little bored of traveling only I decided to do Couchsurfing. For those who don’t know, the Couchsurfing platform is an ideal place to meet other travelers, meet local people while you are traveling and even stay with them.
The tale of Momotaro
Okayama is also known in Japan as the place where the tale of Momotaro, the peach child, one of the most famous traditional tales in the country, takes place. It is about a family that cannot have children and are blessed with a child born of a peach. The story recounts the misadventures of this child as he grows up to become a national hero. Here you have a link to a video about the tale of Momotaro.
3. Kurashiki, the old town
In Kurashiki I stayed two nights at the house of a rather nice Japanese boy. He worked in Okayama, so I stopped there to meet him. The first day, he left me his bike to go see the Okayama Castle and took me out for a drink at night.
The second day, already in Kurashiki, while he went back to Okayama for work, I spent the day seeing the old part of the city. Kurashiki is known for its rich history, traditional architecture and peaceful atmosphere. Its major tourist attraction is the Bikan Chiku, Kurashiki’s historic district, famous for its canals, white warehouses and picturesque bridges that evoke the Japan of the Edo period (1603-1868).
Around the old part, in addition to a few shrines, we can visit:
- Ohara Art Museum: this private museum is famous for its collection of Western art, including works by artists such as Monet, El Greco and Gauguin, as well as Japanese and Oriental art. It is one of the oldest museums of its kind in Japan, founded in 1930.
- Japanese Toy Museum: Houses a fascinating collection of traditional Japanese toys and shows how children played in different eras.
- Shinkeien Garden: This small but charming traditional garden is an ideal place to relax while enjoying the natural beauty.
Personal opinion about Himeji Castle, Okayama Castle and Kurashiki
Among the set of the three places, the one I found the most beautiful was Kurashiki. Above all, if you are one of those who like to visit traditional places to imagine what Japan would have been like in the past, this is almost a must for you.
The two days I spent in these most unknown cities were quite entertaining. I enjoyed getting to know a part of Japan that was more traditional and less touristy than the other places I had been before. However, I found it annoying that when I left the tourist areas everything was much more expensive. You can see that they take advantage of the fact that there is not a lot of competition and not a lot of options to choose from.
Of course, I liked Himeji Castle more than Okayama Castle and I liked Kurashiki City more than Himeji and Okayama. Here I leave you a short video that I made where you can see a little bit of each place.
Next Destination: From Kurashiki to Onomichi
In spite of that, these three places made me curious about the countryside of Japan, so on my way to Hiroshima I decided to make a short stop at Onomichi. This small coastal town would end up becoming one of the places I liked the most in this country. In my next post I will tell you about this charming place in every corner and every temple.
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