Originally we were planning to visit Bitchu Masuyama castle in the mountains of Okayama. However, the JR West WIDE area pass doesn’t cover all the trains necessary, despite going to Okayama. Of the passes we purchased, the JR WIDE pass was definitely the least useful.
It did cover the trains to Himeji, though, so we celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary with the only thing we could find in Japan that was older than our marriage: a 17th century castle.
Himeji is a super popular tourist spot and with reason. It’s conveniently located near the station due to excellent planning by Akamatsu Norimura when he built the original fort in 1333. It has a huge courtyard lined with cherry trees, expansive gardens, and a well preserved palace on premises.
I’ve written about Himeji before. Between Matsuyama castle and Himeji castle, I think Himeji castle wins during cherry blossom season by the slightest of margins. It’s accessibility is certainly a plus, but that also guarantees the crowds. However the views of the castle and gardens through a pink haze of floating petals is magnificent.
Following the castle, we visited the adjacent Koko-en gardens: a series of walled gardens done in different styles. Despite the rainy drizzle we spent considerable time in the gardens as there are multiple covered benches where you can sit and simply partake in the views.
On our way to and from the station, we happened upon the only Burger King we have seen in Japan. And on Whopper Wednesday no less! It was fate.