the viewing deck: Himeji Solo Day trip 1st part: the Castle and Koko-en

7-days wandering solo in summer Japan
May 28 - June 04, 2013 Tuesday to Tuesday

Kyoto solo day-trip last part: Nijo-jo & Fushimi Inari

6th day of 7-days journey summer season in the Land of the Rising sun. Initial plan for this day was Nara-Kobe-Himeji but when I aboard the platform in Osaka JR station, I saw Himeji bound was earlier to depart around 30 minutes than Nara. Himeji is west bound of Osaka, opposite side of Nara (east bound), of course I have map with me, the basis why I had sudden change of route. By the way, Himeji Tourism office located inside the station before the exit has FREE WI-FI, no registration needed. I just remembered this because before and after my Himeji tour I just check-out first my phone to update my foursquare, instagram and facebook status as well.

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. The city has been featured in a series of Japanese and foreign films due to its picturesque old-Japan look.
http://wikitravel.org/en/Himeji

Himeji Castle is Japan's first World Cultural Heritage site which was registered in 1993 and designated as national treasure in 1931. Built in the early 17th century, this caste represents the highest achievement in Japanese Castle architecture. The castle's beauty and level of perfection are the greatest of any wooden structure in Japan. Many structures such as keeps, towers, walls and moat have been well preserved for over 400 years. The site is famous for showing the unique defensive methods of Japan feudal era. Because of its elegant appearance, the catle has been compared to a white bird in the sky. Its famous nickname is "White Heron Castle".

Himeji Castle

How to go to Himeji Castle:

From Osaka JR Station, just ride a JR station bound to Himeji station. Then walk away around 800m from station exit straight to Himeji Castle. Visiting hours is 0900H-1700H with entrance fee of 400yen and additional 200yen for Egret's Eye view observatory (up to March 2014 only).

"Egret's Eye View" was created to advance visitor understanding of protection, conservation and restoration of cultural property. Experience the overwhelming scale of Himeji's Castle main keep and expert craftmanship from a prime viewing spot open for a limited time only.

HIMEJI MORNING TOUR ITINERARY (June 03, 2013):
0630H ETD Hostel bound to Himeji (JR line)
0830H Himeji stn, both entrance fee 600yen
Kokoen garden, just walk 900m
Himeji castle, just walk 100m
1015H ETD Himeji Castle,breakfast 335yen
1110H ETD Himeji stn bus #43 bound to ushikoshi shinden 480yen
Taiyo Park Terracotta Army copies, 1,300yen
1513H ETD Taiyo Park bus#43 bound to Himeji stn, 480yen
1611H TD Himeji stn, bound to Nara stn (JR line)
1727H ETD Osaka stn, snacks 490yen
1815H ETA Nara stn bound to Todaiji temple bus 200yen
ETD Todaiji Temple, close already bus 200yen
2002H ETD Nara stn, dinner 820yen
ETA Fukishima stn, souvenirs 5,346yen
2330H ETA Hostel 2,610yen

TOTAL : 12,661yen ($126.61)

Japanese garden "koko-en" was constructed in 1992 at the exact site of Lord's West Residence with Himeji Castle. The area of this garden is about 3.5 hectares and is composed of nine difference gardens, built archaeologically excavated site of samurai houses and roads. This place is just beside Himeji Castle, combined ticket will have a discount of 200yen.