Himeji Castle and Kokoen Garden

Himeji Castle
Himeji Castle is located in the center of Himeji City, about 50 kilometers west of Kobe and about 650 kilometers west of Tokyo. It takes about fours hours by bullet train from Tokyo. Although laid out only in 1992; this is a wonderful garden, occupying land where samurai mansions once stood at the base of Himeji Castle, about a 5-minute walk away. Actually it's composed of nine separate small gardens, each one different and enclosed by traditional walls, with lots of rest areas to soak in the wonderful views. The gardens, typical of those in the Edo Period, include a garden of deciduous trees, a garden of pine trees, a garden of flowers popular during the Edo Period, tea-ceremony gardens, and traditional Japanese gardens with ponds, waterfalls, and running streams.
In 1993, Himeji Castle was registered on UNESCO's World Heritage list, because it is a wooden castle structure of incomparable worth in the world and because the whole structure including towers, stone ramparts, and earthen walls are extremely well preserved.

Kokoen Garden
The Himeji Kokoen garden is a recently constructed Japanese style garden, which was constructed in 1992 to commemorate the one hundredth anniversary of the establishments of Himeji municipality. It consists of nine separate gardens designed in various garden styles of the Edo period. Himeji Koko-en is composed of nine separate gardens; all of the nine separate gardens show the essence of the Edo period. And the name "Kokoen" is derived from "Koko do" the name of Japan's sixth provincial school founded in 1692 in Himeji by the last Lord of Himeji, Lord Sakai.
Among the gardens are the garden of the lord's residence which features a pond with waterfall, a tea garden where visitors can enjoy green tea in a tea ceremony house, a pine tree garden, bamboo garden and flower garden.
There is also a Nagaya-Gate which bestows upon the viewer the historical feeling of the Edo period. In addition, from Nagare-no-hiraniwa you can enjoy excellent views of the main keep and the West Bailey of Himeji Castle. Finally strolling through the gardens, you can appreciate beautiful trees and flowers of four seasons, the rapids and waterfalls, and covered walkways built of Japanese cypress.
You can feel history and see natural beauty in this garden. It is an impressive and scenic spot located just west of Himeji Castle.

TIP: Kokoen Garden is located just outside of Himeji Castle, a short walk west of the castle's main gate (Otemon Gate). From Himeji Station, it can be reached in a 20 minute walk or 5 minute bus ride along the broad Otemae-dori Street, which leads in a straight way from the station to the castle. TEL: 079-289-4120 FAX: 079-289-4130; 9:00-17:00 (must enter by 16:30 * Extented closing time for one hour in April 27 - August 31.); 300 yen/adult, 150 yen/elementary and junior high school student, Group rate: 30 people or more 10% off.