Besides enjoying the beautiful white castle at Himeji Castle, we also stopped by the nearby Himeji City Zoo. I didn’t expect such a small zoo to be more fun than I imagined!
I thought we would just take a quick stroll, but we ended up seeing quite a few animals, including giraffes and penguins. The kids’ eyes lit up as soon as they saw the animals, and they were so happy they didn’t want to leave. The zoo isn’t large, but it’s easy to walk around, clean, and you can enjoy views of Himeji Castle while strolling. It’s a great little stop for families.
After exploring the impressive Himeji Castle, relaxing at the zoo was a nice change of pace. Historic sights, beautiful views, and cute animals all in one trip—something for both adults and kids. It turned out to be a wonderful little surprise on this journey.
Himeji City Zoo | Review by 楊雅雯
Other Reviews by 楊雅雯
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Dotonbori
Crab, octopus, cow, crane….these are just a few of the oversized 3D signboards that make up the look and feel of the bustling Dotonbori Area. Its packed with a number of eateries along the northern Dotonbori River and main street along its southern side.
If you’re visiting Osaka, Dotonbori is definitely a classic spot you shouldn’t miss! It has all kinds of food, drugstores, and souvenir shops, and the lively streets are full of Osaka’s energy and charm.
That said, popular attractions do have one small downside: the crowds are really intense. You often have to line up just to walk or take photos, and sometimes you can only move slowly with the flow of people, so it feels a little less relaxed. -
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Kansai International Airport
Many domestic and international flights carry nearly 28 million people a year at this western Japan’s entrance, Kansai International Airport. It is on an island about 5km off the coast of Senshu in Osaka Bay, famous as the world’s first marine airport on a completely man-made island. The airport code KIX is used as the familiar nickname “KIX.”
I noticed something new as soon as I arrived at Kansai International Airport! A lot of the processes have gone digital now, and they’re simple and intuitive to use. Overall, immigration and customs felt much more efficient.
Based on my experience this time, getting through arrivals really did feel faster than before. I had my luggage in no time and was ready to start my trip in Japan, which instantly put me in a great travel mood! -
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The Osaka Museum of Housing and Living
Japan’s first museum, specialized on the history and culture of life, was opened in April 2001. You can learn about housing and how people lived during Edo, Meiji, Taisho and Showa Periods.
The Osaka Museum of Housing and Living feels like traveling back to the Edo period in an instant! Inside, old streets, shops, and homes are recreated in great detail. Putting on a kimono for photos makes it feel even more like you’re in old Japan, and every corner is super photogenic.
The museum isn’t huge, but if you take your time walking around and taking pictures, 2 to 3 hours is just right. If you use the Osaka Amazing Pass, admission is free, so the value is really high. I definitely recommend adding it to your Osaka itinerary for an easy way to experience what life in Osaka used to be like. -
