The best seasons to visit Himeji are spring and fall. During these seasons, visitors can enjoy the magnificent scenery of the Himeji Castle along with either cherry blossoms or vibrant autumn foliage.
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Best Cherry Blossom site
The Himeji Castle, recognized as one of Japan’s “100 Best Cherry Blossom Sites”, offers a stunning visual contrast between its white facade, as known as “White Heron Castle（白鷺城）,” and the delicate pink cherry blossoms or golden autumn leaves.
Within the castle grounds, particularly in Nishinomaru Garden（西の丸庭園） and Sannomaru Park（三の丸広場）, visitors can admire traditional cherry blossom varieties such as Somei-yoshino and Shidare-zakura (weeping cherry).
Himeji city host a variety of events like “Kanou-kai（観桜会, 3/29/2025）” or “Yozakura-kai（夜桜会 3/28/2025-4/6/2025）” to celebrate the cherry blossom season.
Rainy and Summer Season
Japan experiences a rainy season in June and July, characterized by frequent precipitation and high humidity. Visitors should come prepared with raincoats and umbrellas. Following this period, a hot and humid summer ensues, necessitating adequate hydration to prevent heat-related illnesses.
Autumn foliage
Mid-November marks the peak of autumn foliage. During this time, the traditional Japanese garden “Kokoen（好古園）,” adjacent to Himeji Castle, hosts a special illumination event called “Momijie（紅葉会）”.
Another experiencing the splendor of autumn of Himeji is to to venture to Shoshazan Engyoji（書寫山圓教寺）,a renowned temple complex that served as a filming location for the cinematic masterpiece “The Last Samurai（2003）,” featuring Tom Cruise and Hiroyuki Sanada.
As November draws to a close, 250,000 LED lights illuminate Himeji’s main street, creating a captivating blend of autumnal colors and winter illuminations.
【Himeji Annual Weather Averages (2024)】
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average （2024） | 5.6℃/42.08°F | 7.0℃/44.60°F | 8.4℃/47.12°F | 16.5℃/61.70°F | 18.1℃/64.58°F | 22.8℃/73.04°F | 28.1℃/82.58°F | 29.5℃/85.10°F | 27.9℃/82.22°F | 20.7℃/69.26°F | 13.1℃/55.58°F | 6.3℃/43.34°F |
