Himeji Castle
Dating to 1609 and also graced with the name "White Egret Castle" ç½é·ºå Shirasagi-jÅ, this striking white edifice is generally considered the most beautiful of Japan's castles and is one of the few that has escaped the ravages of civil war, earthquakes and firebombings. Most notably, the castle miraculously survived World War II virtually unscathed, despite the rest of the city having been levelled by American carpet bombing. The castle was designated as a national treasure in 1931 and was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1993. It is virtually the last castle in Japan that still manages to tower over the surrounding skyscrapers and office buildings.
Himeji City Museum of Art
Features artwork from local artists and European art, along with special exhibitions.
Senhime Shrine
This is the only shrine in Japan associated with a castle. While the shrine itself is rather small and not very interesting, travelling up the stairs to the next lookout reveals a spectacular view of Himeji Castle.
Himeji City Zoo
This zoo has a pretty comprehensive array of animals, but usually only one of each and all in very small cages or enclosures.
KÅkoen Garden
This magnificent collection of nine Edo-period-style walled gardens was laid out in 1992 on a site where samurai houses once stood. The street plan and gated partitions preserve the appearance of the old residential quarter, except that within the various enclosures visitors find beautifully landscaped gardens and water features instead of noble residences. There is a tea arbour and a restaurant within the grounds, but eating and drinking outside of these places is prohibited.
Hyogo Prefectural Museum of History
Unlike most prefectural museums, this one actually has very little information about Hyogo prefecture's history, and historical artifacts also tend to be lacking, so if you really want to learn more about Hyogo, you may be disappointed however, if you are interested in Japanese history as a whole, this museum is well worth visiting. It contains replicas of all twelve original castles remaining in Japan, has a room dedicated to festivals while they feature Hyogo festivals, most are done nationwide, and toys throughout history. There is an art gallery, as well, which often features some of Japan's most interesting artwork. The artwork is not limited to Hyogo artists. Check the website to see what will be displayed when you arrive.