Must-Visit Restaurants Around Himeji Castle, a World Heritage Site Discover Oishii Japan -SAVOR JAPAN -Japanese Restaurant Guide-

Update-date: May 10 2023

Author: SAVOR JAPAN

Categories: Himeji

Must-Visit Restaurants Around Himeji Castle, a World Heritage Site

Himeji Castle underwent a huge renovation beginning in 2009. In March 2015, the castle was fully reopened to display its brilliant whiteness, which earned it the nickname of "White Heron Castle". This article introduces some highly recommended restaurants in the Himeji area, which is bustling with tourists every weekend.

See full listings of restaurants found in and around Himeji.

1. Yamayoshi

Here, you can taste the best anago (a type of saltwater eel) at Himeji! Yamayoshi is a popular restaurant that has been extensively featured in magazines. This place is popular among tourists during holidays, and you can always see a long line of people. You can smell their homemade sauce even outside of the glass entrance, where you can observe the chefs grilling the food over a charcoal fire.

Savor a large and thick serving of anago that strikes the right balance between its natural umami (Japanese savory taste) and fat.

Their [3 Charcoal-Grilled Anago Kanbe] can also be purchased as a souvenir!

Yamayoshi

Open: 11:00 am - 8:00 pm (L.O. 7:30 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 1,200 JPY / [Lunch] 1,000 JPY
Access: Head north from Himeji Station, enter the Omizosuji Shopping Street, and then walk north for 1 minute.
Address: 1F, 301, Ekimae-cho, Himeji-shi, Hyogo (Map)

2. Chanko Kuramae

This restaurant serves traditional chanko-nabe (hot pot) made from seasonal ingredients. Run by a sumo family, this well-established restaurant allows you to savor a taste that they have kept secret for years! Their chanko-nabe, made from fresh seasonal vegetables, and their sashimi are exceptional dishes. You can spend a wonderful time in this restaurant, which is perfect for parties and receptions!

Savor their sashimi, made from fresh fish caught in Harimanada.

This restaurant has a calm and welcoming interior that's decorated with things related to professional sumo wrestling.

Chanko Kuramae

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday] 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm (L.O. 9:30 pm)
Closed: Sunday, National Holidays
Average price: 6,000 JPY
Access: 7-minute walk from Sanyo-Himeji Station. Turn left before Resona Bank Himeji Branch, turn right before Kansai Electric Power Himeji Branch, and then go straight. You'll find it to your left.
Address: 35, Fukunaka-machi, Himeji-shi, Hyogo (Map)
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3. Totoro

This restaurant is for those who want to taste delicious and fatty tuna in Himeji. They offer genuine yet reasonably-priced sushi, such as their specialty [Extra Fatty Bluefin Tuna Nigiri] (hand-formed sushi), which is delicious and melts in the mouth. This restaurant is perfect for every situation and is located below the underpass of Himeji Station.

Conveniently located 2 minutes from Himeji Station. Stand up and eat some sushi while drinking at this stylish restaurant!

Their soft, tender, and luxurious [Whole Anago] nigiri is a must-try dish!

Totoro

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] 11:30 am - 2:00 pm (L.O. 2:00 pm]
[Weekdays, Saturday] Dinner 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm (L.O. 10:00 pm)
Closed: Sunday
Average price: [Dinner] 2,500 JPY
Access: Exit the South Exit of Himeji Station and walk 2 minutes to the east along the underpass. You'll find the restaurant at the first corner.
Address: 127-1, Minami Ekimae-cho, Himeji-shi, Hyogo (Map)

4. Dico

Enjoy handmade Italian cuisine in this welcoming restaurant. They are determined to serve safe and delicious seasonal food. They even grow organic vegetables, which are used as ingredients in each and every dish! Why don’t you bask in this restaurant's subtle Western atmosphere after you come back from enjoying the Japanese-style Himeji Castle?

This is their popular risotto, which has a strong sweet shrimp flavor.

Spend a precious moment with that special someone at this stylish retro restaurant.

Dico

Open: [Tuesday - Sunday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] Lunch 11:00 am - 3:00 pm (L.O. 2:30 pm), Dinner 5:30 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:00 pm)
Closed: Monday
*If Monday falls on a national holiday, it will close on Tuesday instead
Average price: [Dinner] 1,380 JPY / [Lunch] 1,180 JPY
Access: Around 4 minutes by car to the east from the Taishi Higashi interchange on Japan National Route 2's Taishi-Tatsuno By-Pass
Around 10 minutes by car from the Himeji Nishi interchange
Around 40 minutes by car from Himeji Castle
Address: 2-22-3, Aoyama Nishi, Himeji-shi, Hyogo (Map)
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5. Kunya

This chic and cozy restaurant specializes in homemade smoked food. It is popular among locals, and is a perfect place for leisurely enjoying a variety of situations or events, such as birthdays, anniversaries, a meal with friends, or sightseeing around Himeji Castle.

This restaurant is particular about using local ingredients, such as vegetables harvested near Himeji and seafood from Setouchi.

Please enjoy a luxurious meal of smoked cuisine and wine here!

Kunya

Open: Lunch 11:30 am - 3:00 pm (L.O. 2:30 pm)
[Weekdays, Saturday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] Dinner 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm (L.O. 9:30 pm)
[Sunday] Dinner 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm (L.O. 8:30 pm)
Closed: Tuesday, 1st Wednesday of every month
Average price: 3,000 JPY
Access: 15-minute walk from Himeji Station
Address: 6-88, Kamiya-cho, Himeji-shi, Hyogo (Map)

Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.