17th-century castle nicknamed "The White Heron" for its colour. Japan's best-preserved castle and UNESCO World Heritage. ¥1,000.
💡 Getting there: Sanyo Shinkansen to Himeji (45 min from Osaka, 3 h from Tokyo), then 15 min walk. 🕐 9:00–17:00 (entry until 16:00, until 18:00 in summer). 💴 ¥1,000 (combo with Koko-en garden ¥1,050). 🌸 Sakura: late March–early April (stunning). UNESCO World Heritage, the only original Japanese castle to survive wars and earthquakes. Known as "Shirasagi-jō" (White Heron Castle).