Himeji

Himeji is a small city at the western edge of the Kansai region of Japan with Japan's finest castle. At one point in the late 1500's, it was the biggest castle in all of Asia. Himeji does not have its own airport. The nearest international airport is Kansai International Airport; buses run eight times a day to Himeji station.

The nearest domestic airports are in Kobe and Osaka. By train from Kobe Airport, take the Port Liner to Sannomiya and connect to the shin-kaisoku train service to Himeji, or take a bus straight to Himeji station. From Osaka's Itami Airport, there are direct buses every hour or so to Himeji station.

Himeji 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. Admission is ¥600 adults and ¥200 children. A special ¥720 combination ticket gets you into both the castle and the nearby Kōkoen Garden. A free guided tour in English is included ''if'' a guide happens to be available.