Checked against official sources on October 9, 2026 · 日本語版: 好古園の料金・回り方ガイド
HIMEJI · JAPANESE GARDEN
Nine gardens for ¥400
Nine walled gardens right beside Himeji Castle. Seeing both? The ¥2,600 combination ticket saves ¥300.
| Admission | ¥400 (adults)Under 18 free · groups of 30+ ¥320 |
|---|---|
| With Himeji Castle | ¥2,600 combination ticket¥300 less than two separate tickets |
| Hours | 9:00–17:00Last entry 16:30 · closed December 29 and 30 |
| Autumn evening opening 2026 | November 17 – December 6Open until 20:00, last entry 19:30 |
| From Himeji Station | About 15 min on footOr 5 min from the Otemon-mae bus stop |
Garden only, or garden and castle?
| Ticket | Price | Choose it if |
|---|---|---|
| Kokoen only | ¥400 | You only want the garden. |
| Kokoen + Himeji CastleCombination ticket | ¥2,600 | You visit both (separately ¥2,900). |
| Under 18 | Free | Garden and castle are both free. |
If you book a Himeji Castle digital combination ticket, the Kokoen part is valid only on your castle date. The garden has its own entrance west of the castle gate.
Source: Kokoen visitor information
What you will see
Kokoen opened in 1992 on the site of the lords’ west residence and samurai houses, following the old plots found in excavations. The gardens are modern, but the forest of the castle’s west bailey makes a borrowed backdrop. Walking through the gates from one garden to the next is the joy of it:
THE CENTREPIECE
Garden of the Lord’s Residence
A large pond framed by the Kassuiken and Choonsai buildings; Kassuiken is the garden’s restaurant.
QUIET CORNERS
Eight more walled gardens
The Tea, Pine, Bamboo, Flower, Seedling, Summer Tree, Stream and Hill-and-Pond gardens, each planted differently.
Film fans may recognise it: Kokoen was a location for the Rurouni Kenshin films.
Tea house and lunch
| Place | Price | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Sojuan tea houseMatcha + seasonal sweet | ¥800 | 12:00–16:00, last order 15:40. Closed Dec 21–Jan 5. No reservations. |
| Kassuiken restaurantSet meals | e.g. conger eel rice bowl set ¥1,680 | 10:00–16:00, meals 11:00–15:00, last order 15:30. |
Kassuiken also sells a separate matcha set; it is a different item from the tea house’s ¥800 bowl. Table reservations are currently suspended.
No picnics: you may not eat or drink your own food in the garden. The whole garden is non-smoking, drones are banned, and pets are allowed only if fully inside a carrier.
Autumn foliage evenings in 2026
From November 17 to December 6, 2026 the garden stays open until 20:00 (last entry 19:30) for the autumn foliage event. These are the 2026 dates only; normal closing time the rest of the year is 17:00.
Access and accessibility
Kokoen is at 68 Honmachi, Himeji, a short walk west of the castle’s Otemon Gate. Otemon Parking next door charges ¥600 for up to 3 hours and ¥900 for up to 24 hours; in spring and autumn the garden recommends public transport. A free wheelchair is available at the office, though some paths have small steps, so going with a helper is advised. Coin lockers cost ¥100. Office: +81-79-289-4120.
Plan the rest of your trip