Embark on a journey through time and tradition as you explore the cultural gems of Himeji. Your adventure begins with the iconic Himeji-jo Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site and Japan's most splendid castle. Marvel at the imposing white facade and intricate architectural details that have stood the test of centuries. As you ascend through the castle's towering structure, panoramic views of Himeji city unfold, offering a glimpse into the region's rich history. Next, immerse yourself in the tranquility of Koko-en Garden, a stunning masterpiece that encapsulates the essence of Edo-period landscaping. Wander through nine distinct garden areas, each reflecting a different style and theme. Admire the serene ponds, traditional tea houses, and meticulously manicured landscapes that create a harmonious blend of nature and artistry. Continue your journey to Shosha-zan Engyo-ji Temple, perched atop Mount Shosha and famous for a shooting spot of the Hollywood movie ""Last Samurai,"" in which Tom Cruise appeared. Accessible by a scenic ropeway, this secluded temple complex exudes a sense of spiritual serenity.
Destination | Himeji-jo Castle, Koko-en Garden, Shosha-zan Engyo-ji Temple |
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Period | All season |
Price |
1 person : 111,400 JPY
2 persons : 111,400 JPY 3 persons : 123,100 JPY 4 persons : 134,900 JPY |
No. of Participants | Up to 4 people |
Mode of Travel | Public Transportation, including taxies |
Hotel Location | Himeji |
Meal |
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*All prices shown include tax.
JST
Your guide will meet you at your hotel in Himeji or at JR Himeji Station.
By taxi or on foot.
JST
Himeji-jo Castle
Closed on Dec.29th and 30th.
JST
Koko-en Garden
Closed on Dec.29th and 30th.
JST
Lunch
Not included in the tour price. Your guide may recommend some restaurants nearby. Transfer to Engyo-ji Temple:By taxi and ropeway. Ropeway service: Not available in and around February for maintenance. Please check the availability before booking.
JST
Shosha-zan Engyo-ji Temple
Stroll around the Engyo-ji Temple ground. Transfer to your hotel or JR Himeji Station: By ropeway and taxi.
JST
Your guide will escort you back to your hotel or JR Himeji Station.
If you wish to conclude the tour at a different location in Himeji, please consult your guide.
Precautions
Please note that certain facilities may have closures on specific dates or days of the week. Additionally, there might be unexpected closures without prior notice. In such cases, your guide will promptly communicate and arrange suitable alternatives for your visit. After consulting the guide, you can slightly change the starting time and visiting locations. When using a taxi, the group may need to split into multiple taxis depending on the number of participants. This tour includes a mountain hiking course that involves uphill and downhill walking and navigating steps. We strongly recommend wearing suitable walking shoes for your comfort and safety.
Cancellation Policy
Introduction This page explains the cancellation policy for the Gold-Guide platform (hereinafter referred to as "the Platform"). Customers who request guided tour reservations on the Platform (hereinafter referred to as "Customers") and certified guide interpreters who provide services (hereinafter referred to as "Guides") may cancel or receive refunds, and/or compensation for reservations according to the following conditions. Cancellation Method To cancel a tour, select the desired guided tour from "Reservation History" on "My Page" and click the "Cancel" button in the "Reservation Details". (Please ensure that the cancellation is fully completed.) For cancellations made before the cancellation deadline, the full amount paid will be refunded. However, for cancellations made after the deadline, a cancellation fee as specified below will be deducted from the refund. *Customers do not need to perform any cancellation operations for cancellations due to events not subject to the cancellation fee as stated below. Please contact the assigned Guide for the reserved guided tour. Cancellation Fees Customers may cancel at any time by paying a cancellation fee, which will be deducted from the already received guided tour fee, and the refund will be processed accordingly. The cancellation fee applies to the total amount of the canceled guided tour fee. Counted from the guided tour date (based on Japan time): ・ More than 15 days prior: Free (full refund). ・ 14 to 7 days prior: 50%. ・ 6 to 3 days prior: 80%. ・ 2days to the tour date, on the tour date with notice, and no-show without prior notice: 100%. *If a different cancellation policy is set for a specific guided tour, that policy will apply. Please check the cancellation policy on the respective guided tour page for details. Exemption from Cancellation Fees (No customer cancellation required) 1. Guide's Convenience: If, for special reasons, the Guide cannot provide the service as agreed upon in the contract, the Guide will contact the Customer to cancel the contract. In such cases, no cancellation fee will apply, and the full guided tour fee will be refunded. 2. Force Majeure and Unforeseeable Circumstances: If the Guide determines that the contract cannot be fulfilled due to the following reasons, the cancellation fee will not apply, and the full guided tour fee will be refunded. Customers do not need to take any cancellation action and should contact the Guide for confirmation. The reasons include (but are not limited to): (a) Travel restrictions imposed by the Japanese government, region-specific epidemics, wars, civil unrest, strikes, abnormal weather conditions, earthquakes, natural disasters, or any events that make it unsafe or impossible to conduct the tour safely. (b) Inability to dock a ship, preventing participation in the reserved tour as a local sightseeing tour. (c) Significant flight cancellations or severe delays significantly affecting service provision, with no other means of transportation available to reach the destination. (d) Significant delays affecting service provision in public transportation (e.g., Shinkansen, trains) with no other means of transportation available to reach the destination. (e) Inability to enter the country due to entry restrictions issued by the Japanese government after making the reservation. (f) Death of any expected tour participants ortheir severe illnessor serious condition as proven by a medical diagnosis. ・ Example of situations that are not considered force majeure (and cancellation fees will apply) include: ・ Illness or injury of any expected tour participants, whether Customers or their accompanying participants, ・ Inclement weather that is not considered to significantly affect the provision of the guided tour ・ Changes in plans. ・ Customer's oversleeping Refund Method Refunds will be made to the credit card used during the reservation. The time for the refund to appear in the Customer's card balance may vary depending on each card company's regulations and processing time. For more details, please contact the card company. When the Customer requests a refund based on the cancellation policy, the Guide may request the Customer verification and/or document submission may be required to confirm that the Customer was could not receive the guided tour service as contracted. Customers can confirm with the Guide whether the event is considered unforeseeable and whether they can submit the necessary documents before canceling the reservation. Change to Cancellation Policy We reserve the right to change the cancellation policy at our discretion. Any changes will be promptly posted on the Platform Expenses Not Refunded Upon Cancellation Refunds will not be made for any expenses other than the amount paid through the Platform, including tickets or other items purchased by the Customer in advance. The same applies if the contract is cancelled due to the Guide's convenience. In such cases, expenses other than the amount paid through the Platform will not be refunded. Language This cancellation policy is written in Japanese as the official text. Even if a translation in English is provided for reference, the Japanese text alone shall have legal validity, and the English translation shall have no legal effect.
Yuki
Guide Experience
5 years or more
Area
Kanazawa,Kyoto,Osaka,Nara,Kobe,Himeji,Hiroshima
Languages
English
Qualifications
Expertise
Sake,ART,Traditional Culture,Shopping
Hello! My name is Lee Yukiko. Please call me Yuki. I was born in Hiroshima Prefecture. I have been living in Hyogo prefecture (next to Osaka) more than thirty years. I am cheerful and friendly, and I really love meeting people. I had many guests like celebrities, politicians, CEOs, artists and so on. I am capable of guiding whoever you are. You would definately have a wonderful time if you picked me as a guide. I have a license of Japanese dancing and flower arrangement. I like classical ballet, Kimono, Japanese culture, theater going, like Kabuki. I like meeting new people and want to help you have a wonderful trip in Japan. I’m a Kodo (the way of incense) Master. Kodo is a traditional Japanese culture to appreciate the incense wood of more than 100 years old. It is quite authentic and esthetic culture that Japan can boast. Though, the number of people who enjoy this interesting culture is decreasing in Japan. I’d like to introduce this quite a unique culture as many people as possible. Why don't you try this unique and authentic Japanese culture? [Places to guide] I’m good at arranging a special trip according to your request. Please tell me your interests and favorites. I’ll arrange the best trip only for you. I mainly guide Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Kobe, Himeji, Kanazawa, Naoshima. I'm looking forward to seeing you!
ToshiGG
Guide Experience
5 years or more
Area
Kyoto,Osaka,Nara,Kobe,Himeji,Hiroshima
Languages
English
Qualifications
Expertise
Shrine/Temple,FOOD,Japanese History,Shopping
Hello everyone. I'm Toshiaki Ohbayashi, a cheerful and talkative tour guide. I have been guiding small groups around Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Himeji, Hiroshima, and other places in Japan since 2018, which has exceeded 500 days. My top priority as a guide is to be able to offer many options besides temples or shrines. such as Samurai and Ninja experiences. I'm also familiar with lunch restaurants and sweets shops. My nickname is GG, which means grandfather, as I have two grandchildren. I love being a GG, but I also love guiding. I'm looking forward to meeting you and your party soon. Let's have an amazing time with me!
Rumiko, Sunshine
Guide Experience
10 years or more
Area
Kyoto,Osaka,Nara,Kobe,Himeji,Shiga
Languages
English
Qualifications
Expertise
Shrine/Temple,Castle,Sake,FOOD,Japanese History,Traditional Culture,Shopping
Hello, I'm Sunshine! Growing up in a family deeply devoted to traditional Japanese cultures, such as classical dancing and Kabuki, I have been immersed in the rich heritage that defines this captivating land. Moreover, my professional background includes extensive training in high-end hospitality and presentation skills from diverse corporate environments, ranging from a publishing company to an advertising agency and an engineering firm. As a result, I've developed a unique blend of traditional charm and modern finesse. During our tour, I am thrilled to share with you the historical and traditional aspects of the cities we'll explore and the excitement of new cultures and cutting-edge technologies that define contemporary Japan. With a dash of theatrics, I may even step into the shoes of historical figures, offering you an intimate glimpse into their lives and stories. As we venture together, I will reveal hidden corners and historical gems that might otherwise go unnoticed, creating countless "Wow-moments" that will stay with you for a lifetime. It is my genuine desire to ensure you experience the true essence of Japan, immersing you in its past, present, and future. So, get ready to embark on a truly unforgettable adventure with me. I can't wait to meet all of you and make this journey genuinely extraordinary!
Emi
Guide Experience
5 years or more
Area
Kanazawa,Kyoto,Osaka,Nara,Kobe,Himeji,Hiroshima,Shiga,Okayama,The Seto Inland Sea,Kagawa
Languages
English
Qualifications
Expertise
World Heritage,ART,Japanese History,Traditional Culture,Shopping,Art Crafts
Hello, I am Emi Matsuda, a professional interpreter and tour guide with 6 years of experience. I am also working as a secretary in Osaka University with over 20 years of experience, which has honed my ability to offer flexible and elegant attention to clients. I have a license of museum curation, which extends my knowledge and expertise in the arts and culture field. Based in the fashion city of Kobe, I feel privileged to share Japan's rich cultural destinations with travelers from around the globe. Having lived in this beautiful country for years, I have developed a deep passion for the country's rich heritage and customs, making every tour experience I offer more insightful and meaningful. As a professional tour guide and interpreter, flexibility and adaptability are vital aspects of my job. I've learned to anticipate and respond quickly to different issues that may arise during tours, ensuring that my clients enjoy a worry-free experience. I take pride in creating unforgettable experiences for my clients, each tailored to their preferences and interests. In Japan, we have many beautiful destinations, from the traditional temples and palaces to breathtaking gardens and festivals. I'm passionate about showcasing all the hidden gems of my country, and my extensive planning and research reflect this. Moreover, I enjoy creating customized tours, combining culture and leisure outings, giving clients the opportunity to witness Japan's breathtaking sites and experiences. In conclusion, I look forward to welcoming you to Japan and curating an unforgettable tour that showcases the country's history, culture, and beauty. I strive to create unique memories for my clients, and I am confident that you will have a wonderful experience with me as your guide.
Yuko Smiley Hirai
Guide Experience
5 years or more
Area
Kyoto,Osaka,Nara,Kobe,Himeji
Languages
English
Qualifications
Expertise
Castle,FOOD
I am an English-speaking tour guide based in Kansai area including Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Kobe and Himeji. I was born in Kobe and raised in a small town near Kobe where I live now. I have worked for a TV station in Kyoto as a reporter. Therefore, I am familiar with lots of attractive spots loved by locals as well as well-known sightseeing spots in Kansai area. I especially love showing my guests around Japanese castles such as Nijo castle and Himeji castle, both of which are well-known UNESCO world heritage sites in Japan, Japanese Sake breweries, Japanese gardens, traditional temples, and shrines. Besides English, I am a fluent speaker of Indonesian since I used to study and work in Indonesia for three years. I love traveling around the world, too! I am flexible and love pleasing guests during the tour. Let's enjoy exploring cities in Japan like locals! I am looking forward to meeting you soon!