Japan Diaries: Day 24

Day 24 January 11, 2015

Kobe City Tour & Himeji Castle


Good morning Japan! Although fresh from our Mt. Koya tour yesterday, Mr. Toshi told us that we'll be heading to another UNESCO World Heritage Site today. Our destination, according to Mr. Toshi, is the beautiful Himeji Castle which is in Hyogo Prefecture. Our plan is to drive to Kobe City (also in Hyogo Prefecture) then ride the shinkansen at Shinkobe Station going to Himeji Castle.

Kobe City, here we come!

Kobe Port Tower

Taking some photo ops with Mr. Port of Kobe

When we got to Kobe City, we had a brief stop at the city's famous landmark which is the Kobe Port Tower. We didn't stay long there though. After taking several photos we drove off to Shin-Kobe Station. However, before doing so, Mr. Toshi dropped me off at a nearby mall so that I could buy the Kobe City tumbler of Starbucks for my collection.
Outside the Shin Kobe Station

Waiting for the shinkansen in Shin Kobe Station

Upon arrival at Shinkobe Station, we treated Mr. Toshi to lunch. His family, on the other hand, continued on to Himeji by car. They had a head start of about an hour because we had to wait for our train's arrival.
Yay! The Shinkansen!

First-time shinkansen riders are like: AHHHH!

This would be my first time riding the shinkansen. We all know that it is one of the fastest trains around. It was so fast that it actually took us less than 20 minutes to arrive at Himeji. Surprisingly, you don't feel the speed when you're inside the train but when you look outside all you'd see are blurred images.

From shinkansen to taxi. Himeji Castle, here we go!

Himeji Castle

Team Nicerio visits Himeji Castle 

From the train station, we rode a taxi going to Himeji Castle. The funny thing was, we arrived about 15 minutes before closing time. I was shocked to see Mr. Toshi sprint towards the ticket booth to save the day. However, due to some unexplainable reasons, I was the only one who got to go inside the castle. I got to see its interior and its antique stuff. Sadly, there were some parts of the castle that was under renovation that day so I didn't fully venture it entirely.

Team Nicerio visits Kobe Chinatown

Mr. Toshi touring us in Kobe's China Town

Check out the design of Kobe City's manhole cover.

After our tour around Himeji Castle, we were picked up by Mr. Toshi's family. We then drove back home. However, we decided to have our dinner at Kobe City's China Town. (No offense but Mr. Toshi's dishes taste way better than our meal there.)

Hanging out at Starbucks Kobe with our godparents

Today was awesome! Thank you, Mr. Toshi and Ms. Taeko!

Availed of the Kobe City Tumber for my Starbucks City Tumbler collection

We ended our stay in Kobe City with a cup of hot Starbucks coffee. Overall, we are enjoying the seemingly endless beauty of Japan. Actually, we are enjoying it so much that we really don't want to leave. Sadly, we only have 2 days left. Well, looking at it positively, we still have 2 days to make more memories here in Japan.

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Location: Kobe, Hyogo, Japan

Comments

  1. UnknownJune 26, 2018 at 10:34 PM

    Japan never disappoints. The bullet train is just awsome !!!. The manhole cover gives a heritage look !!! Thanks for sharing !!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. ShanaBergsmaJune 26, 2018 at 11:15 PM

    Japan has always fascinated me. Tokyo is also on my bucket list. Thanks for sharing your experience.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioJuly 2, 2018 at 7:46 AM

      Ummmm... Tokyo is just a big crowded city. I suggest that you visit the rural areas of Prefectures.

      Delete
  3. Luna SJune 27, 2018 at 12:10 AM

    This trip looks like it was a lot of fun and that train design is awesome, thanks for sharing your adventure with us.

    ReplyDelete
  4. JuliVAGlobalJune 27, 2018 at 12:16 AM

    I have heard so many wonderful things of this place what a nice post you have created

    ReplyDelete
  5. Backpacking SeriesJune 27, 2018 at 2:24 AM

    Wow! After seeing your post, feel like going to Japan soon. Himeji Castle looks so fabulous ! Will be using this post a reference for the future!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioJuly 2, 2018 at 7:48 AM

      Thanks a lot Backpacking Series. You should visit this wonderful place.

      Delete
  6. UnknownJune 27, 2018 at 3:18 AM

    those photos are adorable. japan is such a beautiful country.

    ReplyDelete
  7. VaishaliJune 27, 2018 at 7:12 AM

    Great post and pictures are really nice too..:)

    ReplyDelete
  8. OCB - Obsessive Compulsive BloggerJune 27, 2018 at 9:29 AM

    It is my dream to travel on the Shinkasen one day, pure technological marvel.

    ReplyDelete
  9. AiaiJune 28, 2018 at 4:10 AM

    Japan is so beautiful. I want to go there. Crossing fingers and toes. :) :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. The Super Mom LifeJune 28, 2018 at 5:09 AM

    I would love to go to Japan one day. I've heard so many great things about the people, the sites and the culture in general.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioJuly 2, 2018 at 7:55 AM

      That is true. That is why I have always wanted to return to Japan. Given a chance I'd live there.

      Delete

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