There are so many great things about getting to Himeji. The Shinkansen (bullet train) that whisks you out of Tokyo at 160mph towards Kyoto. Getting sidetracked at the Deer Park and temples of Nara. Then there’s Kyoto itself, one of the most beautiful cities in the world. But Himeji Castle, a feudal castle that dates back to 1333 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is worth crusing past Kyoto (temporarily anyway). Widely recognized as one of Japan’s three most important castles, the secret warrior hiding rooms and delicate architecture is worth some extra time exploring.

Castle at Himeji