Koko-en Garden

好古園

Koko-en is a Japanese stroll garden next to Himeji Castle, built on the site of the castle's former western residences. It opened in 1992 and has nine gardens in the style of the Edo period. Visitors walk through the gardens with a view of Himeji Castle. At the Souju-an Teahouse, visitors can try matcha green tea and Japanese sweets.

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Visitor information

Opening hours: Open 9:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30). Hours are longer in some seasons.
Closed: Closed on December 29 and 30.
Admission: Adults (18 and over): 310 yen; children (elementary to high school): 150 yen.
Getting there: About 20 minutes on foot from JR/Sanyo Himeji Station, or about 5 minutes by bus from the north exit.

Hours and fees can change. Please check the official website before you go.

Good to know

Free wheelchairs are available for use inside Koko-en (in front of the management office).

Tips for Muslim visitors

The garden restaurant Kassui-ken serves a lunch of seasonal Japanese dishes; ask about ingredients before ordering.
Natural sites may have few facilities. Bring water, a travel prayer mat and a qibla app, and check the weather; mountains and lakes can be much colder than the city.
Restrooms for wudu can be far apart on trails. Many Muslim travellers carry a small water bottle for wudu.
Plan your visit around prayer times. Below are today's prayer times for Hyogo and the verified places to pray nearby.
Food stalls and shops near popular sights usually do not have halal certification. Check the ingredients, or choose from the verified places on this site.