1 upcoming voyage calls at Himeji
Times shown are as scheduled and can change. Weather, sea conditions and port operations may shorten a call or prevent it — always check the latest information from NYK Cruises, and once aboard, from the ship.
About Himeji
A castle town whose castle is the reason to come. Himeji Castle was never besieged, never burned and never bombed out, so what stands on the hill is what was finished in 1617 — and in December 1993 it became, with Horyu-ji, one of the first two cultural sites in Japan on the World Heritage list. The port is at Shikama, and the castle is twenty minutes inland.
Within reach of the port
Himeji Castle
White plastered walls, six storeys of keep on a stone base, and a spiral approach designed to turn an attacker back on himself. A fort was first built on this hill in 1333; the castle took its present form under Ikeda Terumasa and was complete by 1617.
Himeji Castle (Himeji City, official) ↗in Japanese — your browser can translate it
Koko-en
Nine walled gardens laid out in 1992 on the site of the lord's west residence, immediately below the castle and using it as borrowed scenery. 'uieter than the keep and a few minutes from its gate.
Himeji tourism (official) ↗in Japanese — your browser can translate it
Engyo-ji, on Mount Shosha
A temple complex from 966 up a ropeway north of the city, spread through cedar forest rather than gathered in a courtyard. Further out than most calls allow, but the alternative to the castle if you have seen it.
Himeji tourism (official) ↗in Japanese — your browser can translate it
Shore excursions
NYK Cruises run their own guided excursions at each port, booked by guests themselves through My ASUKA PLANS — the booking window opens before departure and depends on your cabin class. They are conducted in Japanese. Going ashore independently is always an option.
Official sources
- Himeji tourism (official) ↗in Japanese — your browser can translate it