Before You Book Himeji Castle: Every Cost, and What's Worth It

Himeji Castle, Japan's finest original castle, raised its price for visitors this year, and there's an easy way to get more for almost the same money. There's the castle ticket, the combined ticket with Koko-en Garden next door, a cheaper rate for Himeji residents, free entry for under-18s and guided tours. Most of them sound worth paying for. You don't need the most expensive one to have a great visit. In this guide we walk through what each option costs, what you really get, and how to choose the right one, whether that's a quiet Thursday morning or a busy weekend.