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How Far is Himeji Castle from Osaka? About 55 km
How to get to Himeji from Osaka? Himeji is located to the west of Osaka, and the distance between the two cities is around 55 kilometers (about 34 miles).
It's a very manageable distance for a perfect Osaka to Himeji day trip! The impressive Himeji Castle is the number one reason visitors make this journey, and it's absolutely worth it.
Your Osaka to Himeji Ride: A Quick Transport Comparison
When planning your Osaka to Himeji journey, you have a few great options. The best choice depends on your budget, your starting point, and how quickly you want to get there.
Here's a quick comparison to help you choose the right Osaka to Himeji train or bus for you.
| Osaka to Himeji Transport Options | Duration | Fare | Frequency | Pros & Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Osaka to Himeji Shinkansen (Sanyo Line) | 28 min | ¥4,270 | Every 1 hour | Fastest, but most expensive. Best from Shin-Osaka Station. |
| Osaka to Himeji Train (JR Kobe Line) | 1 h 2 min | ¥1,460 | Every 1.5 hours | Best value for money. Best from Osaka Station for budget travelers. |
| Osaka to Himeji Bus (Limousine Bus) | 2 h 20 min | ¥1,460 | Every 2 hours | Longest journey. Best for travelers starting from Kansai Airport with no rush. |
Another option, if you're traveling with a group or prefer flexibility, is to drive. The trip by car takes about 1.5 hours. Contact Asia Odyssey Travel!
Shin Osaka to Himeji Shinkansen (30min): Shin Osaka Departure
If speed is your top priority, the Shin-Osaka to Himeji Shinkansen is your best friend. This bullet-train service, part of the Sanyo Shinkansen line, will get you there in a flash.
Osaka to Himeji Shinkansen Timetable
Here's an Osaka to Himeji Shinkansen timetable:
| Osaka to Himeji Shinkansen | Duration | Fare | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanyo Line | 28 min | ¥4,270 | 06:00-20:00, every 1 hour |
- Departure: Shin-Osaka Station
- Duration: A blistering 28 minutes! You'll barely have time to finish your coffee.
- Fare: Approximately ¥4,270
- Frequency: The Shinkansen runs from about 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM, with one train every hour.
Keep an eye out for special Shinkansen designs on this route, like the Hello Kitty Shinkansen or the Pirate-themed trains! They're a fun bonus to an already great ride. You can check the official JR West website for the most up-to-date timetable!
Osaka to Himeji Train (1h): Osaka Departure
For travelers on a budget or those who want a great value, the JR Kobe Line is the way to go. This "Special Rapid Service" train is a perfect balance of speed and affordability.
Osaka to Himeji Train Time, Fare & Schedule
Check out the Osaka to Himeji train time and fare below:
| Osaka to Himeji Train | Duration | Fare | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| JR Kobe Line | 1 h 2 min | ¥1,460 | 06:00-20:30, every 1.5 hours |
- Departure: Osaka Station
- Duration: Just over an hour, at 1 hour and 2 minutes.
- Fare: A very reasonable ¥1,460.
- Frequency: Trains run from roughly 6:00 AM to 8:30 PM, every 1.5 hours.
This route is a great choice for an affordable Osaka to Himeji day trip! You get to your destination quickly without the high cost of the bullet train.
Osaka to Himeji Bus (2.5h): Kansai Airport Departure
If you're flying into Kansai Airport and heading straight to Himeji, the limousine bus is a convenient and relaxing option.
| Osaka to Himeji Bus | Duration | Fare | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Limousine Bus | 2 h 20 min | ¥3,700 | 08:50-20:25, every 2 hours |
- Departure: Kansai Airport Terminal 1
- Duration: About 2 hours and 20 minutes.
- Fare: Approximately ¥3,700.
- Frequency: Services run from about 8:50 AM to 8:25 PM, with a bus every 2 hours.
The bus stop at Kansai Airport Terminal 1 is platform #8, located outside the first-floor international arrivals gate.
In Himeji, the bus stops at the "Himeji Bus Center," which is a quick 3-minute walk to JR Himeji Station.
Travel Tip: If you miss the direct bus, don't worry! You can still take a JR train from the airport to either Osaka Station or Shin-Osaka Station and transfer to a JR or Shinkansen train to Himeji. The total travel time will still be around 2.5 hours.
Himeji Station to Himeji Castle: How to Get Around Himeji?
After your journey from Osaka to Himeji, you'll arrive at Himeji Station, but your final destination is Himeji Castle! As Japan's first-ever UNESCO site (1993), this iconic castle is a MUST-SEE for all visitors (like visiting the Great Wall from Beijing).
The good news is that getting from Himeji Station to Himeji Castle is easy! The castle is just a 15-minute walk from Himeji Station!
Here's the route from Himeji Station to Himeji Castle: Himeji Station North Exit → Otemae-dori Street → Shiromidai Park → Otemon Gate → San-no-Maru Plaza.
Simply head out of the North Exit and walk straight down Otemae-dori Street, the main boulevard. You'll see the magnificent white castle in the distance, a sight that will get you excited! About 10 minutes into your walk, you'll reach Shiromidai Park, a perfect spot to take a panoramic photo of the castle.
From there, you'll cross the Sakuramon Bridge over the inner moat, pass through the Otemon Gate, and enter the free-access San-no-Maru Plaza, which is a classic viewpoint for photographing the main keep.
Transportation Alternatives: If you're in a hurry or would rather save your energy for exploring the castle grounds, you can also take a bus from the North Exit of Himeji Station. A quick 5-minute bus ride to the "Himeji Castle Otemon-mae" stop!
Want to Save Money? Your Osaka to Himeji JR Pass Guide
If you're a savvy traveler looking to reduce your travel cost, an Osaka to Himeji JR Pass might be a smart choice, especially if you plan to visit other cities in Kansai.
| Tickets | Fare | Covered Routes | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansai Rail Pass (1 Day) | ¥2,800 | JR Special Rapid Service (no Shinkansen) | A one-day trip to Himeji from Osaka |
| Kansai Wide Area Pass (5 Days) | ¥12,000 | Shinkansen + JR Local/Rapid Service | A multi-day trip around Kansai, including Osaka and Himeji |
Kansai Rail Pass: This pass (available for 1-4 days) costs around ¥2,800 for a one-day pass. It allows you to use the JR Special Rapid Service train, which is perfect for a day trip from Osaka to Himeji. Note: This pass doesn’t cover Shinkansen trains!
Kansai Wide Area Pass: This 5-day pass costs ¥12,000 and is a great value for exploring more of the Kansai region. It offers unlimited rides on both local JR trains and the Shinkansen between Osaka and Himeji (including the Hello Kitty Shinkansen!).
Your Perfect Osaka to Himeji Day Trip & Beyond
Himeji Day Trip from Osaka
A Himeji day trip from Osaka is popular. Here's a classic itinerary for your adventure:
Morning (0.5-1 hour): Take a JR train from Osaka to Himeji. Spend the morning exploring Himeji Castle and the beautiful Koko-en Garden located right next door.
Afternoon: Consider a trip to Mount Shosha and Engyoji Temple to discover the mountain temple where scenes from The Last Samurai were filmed.
Evening: Take a JR train back from Himeji to Osaka.
Himeji and Kobe Day Trip from Osaka
If energy allows, you can even combine Himeji with a visit to Kobe on the same day!
Morning: Visit Himeji Castle and Koko-en Garden in Himeji.
Afternoon: Take a train to Kobe and spend the afternoon exploring Kobe Harborland and Nankinmachi (Chinatown), and of course, indulge in some world-famous Kobe beef!
Evening: From Kobe Station or Sannomiya Station, you can easily take a train back to Osaka.
Osaka to Kobe: Distance, Train, Shinkansen, Ferry & More
A Deep Kansai Dive with Asia Odyssey Travel
While a day trip to Himeji is a must-do, Kansai has so much more to offer! If you want to dive deeper into the region's hidden gems and make the most of your trip, our team at Asia Odyssey Travel is here to help.
Check out our 8 days in-depth Kansai family tour:
| Day | Where to Go | What to See | Where to Stay |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Osaka | / | Osaka |
| 2 | Osaka | Osaka Aquarium, Legoland, Tempozan Ferris Wheel, Dotombori | Osaka |
| 3 | Osaka | Free Time Explore Universal Studios Japan | Osaka |
| 4 | Osaka - Himeji - Kobe | Himeji Castle, Koko-en Garden, Arima Onsen | Kobe |
| 5 | Kobe to Osaka | Rokkosan Pasture (Ranch), Nankinmachi (Chinatown Food & Kobe Beef), Kobe Anpanman Children’s Museum & Mall | Osaka |
| 6 | Osaka - Nara - Kyoto | Kasuga Taisha, Nara Park, Todai-ji Temple, Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine | Kyoto |
| 7 | Kyoto | Sagano Scenic Railway, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Tenryu-ji Temple, Togetsukyo Bridge, Iwatayama Monkey Park | Kyoto |
| 8 | Kyoto - Osaka Departure | / | / |
Osaka Itineraries 1 to 3 Days | Best Osaka Itineraries for First Timers & Families
Top 7 Things to do in Do in Nara: Places to Visit & Nara Tourist Attractions
From Bustling to Serene: Enjoy an Osaka to Himeji Trip with Asia Odyssey Travel!
At Asia Odyssey Travel (Tokyo, Japan), we believe travel should be an adventure, not a chore.
We offer a variety of themed tour packages, from Japan Group Tours to Private Japan Tours, covering a wide range of destinations like Nara, Tokyo, Mt. Fuji, etc. Whether you want to explore the history of Kyoto, the lively streets of Osaka, or the serene beauty of Himeji, we're here to help.
Our local insights extend beyond Osaka and Himeji, with transportation guides for trips like Osaka to Kobe, Osaka to Hiroshima, Nagoya to Kyoto, Tokyo to Kamakura, Tokyo to Izu, and more.
Let us help you plan your journey, so you can simply enjoy the ride!
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