Himeji (Japan Hyogo)

Himeji is a port city in Japan's Hyogo Prefecture (Kansai region, southern-central Honshu Island), with population around 540,000. Since 1871, the city was the capital of Shikama Prefecture, but in 1876 Shikama merged into Hyogo. In 2006, into Himeji City were merged the neighboring towns Yasutomi, Kodera, Ieshima and Yumesaki.

Among the best-known tourist attractions are Himeji Castle (14th century built, stone-made hilltop castle, UNESCO site), Shoshazan Engyo-ji (10th century built wooden temple), Mt Seppiko, Himeji Central Park (1984-opened wildlife park / amusement park), Himeji Tegarayama Green House (botanical garden), Himeji Koko-en (1992-opened traditional Japanese garden).

In the end of WW2 (1938-1945), on July 3, 1945, an US bomber aircraft group of 107 planes bombed the city. During the air raid were dropped 767 tons of incendiary bombs, destroying most (over 63% of all buildings). Fortunately, the bombing didn't affect at all the historic Himeji Castle.

As cruise port, Himeji became popular with the homeported in Yokohama ship Diamond Princess (Princess Cruises). The 3250-passenger liner included Himeji in its summer 2019 Japan cruise program. Himeji was included as call por in the 8-day "Spring Flowers" and 16-day "Grand Spring Flowers" itineraries (shown below).

8-day "Spring Flowers (prices from USD 1420 pp)

16-day "Grand Spring Flowers (prices from USD 2750 pp)