Enjoy Himeji's Charms with 'Motto Himeji Tabi'! Experience Programs Perfect for Making Summer Memories Now on Sale!

The 'Motto Himeji Tabi' program, developed by the Himeji Convention and Visitors Bureau, offers experiences that allow you to feel the unique charms of Himeji. This summer, we have prepared programs to enjoy your summer vacation and summer nights, including experiences by the sea and on islands, as well as a ghost story program enjoyed during a special night visit to Himeji Castle.

We deliver memorable summer experiences while connecting with Himeji's unique nature and culture!

Motto Himeji Tabi | Himemichi

《Summer Vacation Parent-Child Programs》

【Special Night Visit to Himeji Castle】Mysterious Legends Heard at Himeji Castle on a Summer Night: Scary Stories

Date: August 1, 2026 (Sat)

Time: 18:45 - 20:45

Capacity: 30 people

Participation Fee: Adults ¥3,800, Children (under 18) ¥2,500

This is a special night to hear mysterious stories and legends in the castle after closing on a summer night. The guide will be Shotaro Utsuro, who is active as a ghost story writer and storyteller. While listening to mysterious tales related to history and people passed down in Himeji Castle, take a night walk through Himeji Castle with a lantern in hand. At the 'Okiku Well,' known for the ghost story 'Banshu Sara Yashiki,' let's listen to the history and stories of Himeji Castle as narrated by Shotaro.

Learn the history of Himeji Castle through legends. A slightly scary but intriguing castle story. Why not step into the night Himeji Castle with your family?

Experience Fishermen's Techniques Up Close!

Fish Sorting Experience on a Fishing Observation Boat ~With Swimming Time on Bōze Island~

Date: August 8, 2026 (Sat)

Time: 10:00 - 15:30

Capacity: 30 people

Participation Fee: Adults (junior high school age and up) ¥7,200, Children (elementary school) ¥5,400, Toddlers (3 to under 6 years old) ¥4,400

Why not get up close to Setouchi's fishing industry by boarding a fishing observation boat? Board a boat where you can see fishermen's work up close and observe the fishing process right before your eyes. In the observation tank, you will learn about what kind of fish were caught along with explanations from the fishermen, and you will also try your hand at sorting while touching the freshly caught fish with your hands.

You can also enjoy a leisurely cruise of the Ieshima Islands while gazing at the islands. After observing the fishing, head to Bōze Island, known as the 'fishermen's island.' Guided by the Bōze Fishery Cooperative, you will tour the intermediate breeding facility (a facility for raising young fish).

After that, enjoy free time at the island's swimming beach. For lunch, enjoy a bento box from 'Appare Suisan Manpuku.'

And then, enjoy swimming at the sandy beach of the island in midsummer! This is a parent-child plan perfect for summer vacation to enjoy the sea.

【Summer Vacation Parent-Child Program】Special Tour of the Large-Scale Synchrotron Radiation Facility SPring-8 (where Nobel laureates have also conducted research) & Daytime Star and Sun Observation Session at Nishiharima Observatory

Date: August 24, 2026 (Mon)

Time: 9:00 - 17:00

Capacity: 24 people

Participation Fee: Adults ¥7,000, Children (5th grade elementary to high school) ¥6,600

*Participants must be in 5th grade or above. Target age is 5th-6th grade elementary school students.

Visit the large-scale synchrotron radiation facility SPring-8, where Nobel laureates have also been involved in research, and the world's highest-performance X-ray free-electron laser facility SACLA. As a special project during the shutdown period, you can enter areas that are normally inaccessible even to researchers!

After lunch, head to the University of Hyogo Nishiharima Observatory. Under the guidance of researchers, participate in a daytime observation session of stars and the sun, and a craft workshop. This bus tour allows parents and children to learn and discover together, touching upon the fun of science and the wonders of the universe.

*Fully Booked* 【Ieshima Tenjin Festival】Enjoy the Traditional Lantern Procession and Fireworks, a Summer Trip to Ieshima

Date: July 18, 2026 (Sat)

Time: 15:50 - 23:00

Capacity: 20 people

Participation Fee: Adults (junior high school age and up) ¥6,500, Children (elementary school age and under) ¥5,500

We also offer accommodation plans in Himeji City / optional transportation arrangements to the Himeji Station area.

This program allows you to participate in the 'Ieshima Tenjin Festival,' when the entire island of Ieshima is enveloped in festival fervor once a year. This tour includes seats on a boat that allows you to enjoy the fireworks that conclude the festival, which are difficult to see at the regular ferry times (the boat is shared with other tours).

On the island, after enjoying a light meal made with Ieshima's seafood, you will participate in the lantern procession. Experience the traditional event of carrying lanterns and parading with the islanders to the shrine. Within the grounds of Ieshima Shrine, you can observe the rituals that have been passed down. You can also see the 'Danjiri-bune' (festival boats) decorated with lanterns and flags that appear in the harbor during the festival.

The fireworks spreading over the sea have no obstructions, offering a sense of openness and power unique to the island, allowing you to enjoy a special summer view.

*All images are for illustrative purposes.

'Motto Himeji Tabi'

Himeji is filled with diverse and profound charms, including the World Cultural Heritage site and National Treasure Himeji Castle, the nature of the Seto Inland Sea islands, historic temples and shrines, and inherited culture and industries.

'Motto Himeji Tabi' offers a variety of special experience programs unique to Himeji each month to enjoy Himeji more deeply. Why not savor Himeji, where history and culture breathe, with all five senses and enjoy it more profoundly?

'Motto Himeji Tabi' (within the tourism website 'Himemichi')

'Motto Himeji Tabi' Official Instagram

How to Apply

Please enter your application information on the 'Motto Himeji Tabi' sales site and apply. Application Page

*Cancellation fees will apply after the designated date.

Inquiries

'Motto Himeji Tabi' Operations Office (Proactive Co., Ltd.)

TEL: 078-954-8817 (Weekdays 9:30 - 18:00)

FAX: 078-332-2506

Mail: motto-himeji@pacmice.jp