- HIMEJI or KURASHIKI DEPARTURE
- KURASHIKI or UNO PORT ARRIVAL
- ENGLISH SUPPORT
- THURSDAY
The trip begins at Himeji Castle, the first UNESCO World Heritage Site in Japan. A knowledgeable guide will tell you interesting stories about the castle’s history, structure, and even legends.
Next, the bus will visit the Osafune Sword Museum in Setouchi City, Okayama Prefecture. After viewing the exhibition of Japanese swords from around the country and throughout history at this rare sword museum, you will also have the chance to see swordsmiths at work.
Then, we will visit Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture. Guests who get off here will be guided for about two hours through Kurashiki, a city of historical buildings, by a guide who knows everything about Kurashiki, and whose family has been in the area since the Edo period. The guide will also share stories that only local people could tell. The bus will continue to Uno Port in Tamano City, Okayama Prefecture. This is the gateway to Naoshima, the island of art. You can either take a ferry to Naoshima from there, or spend the night exploring Tamano.
Special price until the end of March
Price per person: 63,000yen → 30,000yen (tax included)
- Himeji (boarding) 9:00
- Himeji Castle
- Tatsuno Nishi Service area (lunch break)
- Kurashiki (drop off) 14:20 (departure) 16:30
- Uno Port (drop off) 17:30
Please arrive 10 minutes before departure time
Included experiences
Tour the World Heritage Site of Himeji Castle with an experienced English guide (120 minutes)
Himeji Castle is one of Japan’s most famous castles, with the main buildings such as the castle tower and turrets built in the early 17th century still remaining.
It was designated as Japan’s first World Heritage Site in 1993 in recognition of the fact that its aesthetic perfection is at the highest level of Japanese wooden architecture and unparalleled anywhere in the world, and that it is the best example of Japan’s unique castle structure, designed for defensive purposes, with well-preserved civil engineering structures such as turrets, gates, earthen walls, stone walls, and moats, centered around the castle towers, which were built during the heyday of castle construction in the early Edo period.
Himeji Castle World Heritage tour with an English-speaking guide Walk on the same wooden floors that the samurai walked on and immerse yourself in Japan’s best preserved feudal castle. Himeji Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is also known as “Shirasagi Castle” (White Heron Castle) because of its resemblance to a heron with its wings spread.
It has a history of over 400 years and even survived World War II. With an imposing defense system, Himeji Castle is made up of a maze of paths and many wooden gates that eventually lead to the Honmaru building on the hill. As you walk through these paths, you can see the imposing structure of the castle and the crenellations for archers in the walls! There are also plenty of spots for taking photos.
Upon arriving at the entrance, you will need to take off your shoes and place them in a bag provided by the staff. Once inside, you will have the opportunity to explore the rooms that are still intact from the past.
Climb the wooden staircase and arrive at the top floor, where you will be able to see the whole of Himeji city!
Throughout the tour, you will be accompanied by an English-speaking guide to help you fully understand and enjoy the experience, and your guide will also elaborate on the legends surrounding the castle and its defensive strategies.
Kurashiki historical district guided tour (about 120 min.)
A local guide will show you around Kurashiki Historical Quarters, a beautiful townscape where white-walled streets and Western-style architecture coexist in harmony.
ATTENTION: only the customers who get off at Kurashiki bus stop will be able to participate in this activity.
- Himeji (boarding) 9:00
- Himeji Castle
- Tatsuno Nishi Service area (lunch break)
- Kurashiki (drop off) 14:20 (departure) 16:30
- Uno Port (drop off) 17:30
Please arrive 10 minutes before departure time
Suggestions for what to do after drop-off
Continue your journey with YUI PRIMA OLIVIA
Get off at Kurashiki and stay overnight in one of the traditional buildings. The next day, Depart Kurashiki on YUI PRIMA OLIVIA and set off on a journey of a scenic route around the Seto Inland Sea .
Enjoy other travels/ Return home
1.Get off at Kurashiki and experience the traditional craft of “indigo dyeing” and take a tour around an indigo jeans factory and a dyeing factory. Then, return home by Shinkansen.
2.After getting off at Uno Port, transfer to the ferry. Enjoy a trip to the art island of Naoshima, where you can enjoy numerous art museums and artworks.
【The price includes】
- Bus fare
- All-you-can-drink service on the bus
- On-board attendant (in Japanese and English)
- Himeji Castle admission ticket
- Himeji Castle guide
- Kurashiki strolling experience
【The price does not include】
- Lunch fee
- Accommodation fee
Special price until the end of March
Price per person: 63,000yen → 30,000yen (tax included)
