・Directions to TAKATANOBABA

Get off at JR Himeji Station and walk about 10 minutes.

TAKATANOBABA can be reached from the North Exit of JR Himeji Station in about 10 minutes on foot. Walking along Otemae-dori Avenue, which leads in a straight line from the station to Himeji Castle, you will see the store on the left front of Ote-mon Gate, the entrance to Himeji Castle.

There are many restaurants and souvenir shops in the area, so enjoy sightseeing.

・Souvenir shop and restaurant are available!

TAKATANOBABA, with its souvenir sales area and restaurant, has become a place of relaxation for travelers from all over the world.

The store’s lineup of Himeji souvenirs are all attractive items that are fun just to look at. From standard items such as key chains and magnets to chopsticks that symbolize Japanese culture and wallets made of Himeji’s traditional leather, there is a wide variety of products.

Unique Kanji T-shirts, which have recently become popular among overseas tourists, are also available!

The restaurant has a dining area attached to it and offers a diverse menu including Himeji’s specialty, Himeji Oden, Anago-don (eel on rice), Katsu-don (pork cutlet served on top of rice), and Himeji’s local beer.

In addition to being reasonably priced, the menu is also gluten-free, vegetarian, and available in English, Chinese, and Korean.

The following is a ranking of the most popular souvenirs, with detailed information on each!

・No.1 Magnets

『Magnets』from 550 yen

The number one most popular item is a magnet!　Because they are light and small, they are ideal as gifts. Many people buy them for themselves because they can enjoy high quality modeling at a low price.

Among them, the popular Himeji Castle motif comes in a variety of unique designs, including one with the Himeji City character “Shiromaru-hime,” a lantern shape, and a snow globe shape. Do you have a favorite?

・No.2 Japanese Pattern Chopstick Set

『Chopstick set (5 pairs) 』from 660 yen

Chopsticks with motifs of Japanese culture, such as the Japanese castle series, Maiko, and warlords of the Warring States period, are standard souvenir items.

Not only are they an easy way to enjoy Japanese culture, but the set of five chopsticks is also a good choice for giving away as gifts.

The luxurious design of these chopsticks makes them perfect for displaying in a box as interior decorations.

・No.3 T-shirts

『T-shirts』from 2,200 yen

T-shirts are enduringly popular item, but recently, kanji T-shirts have been gaining popularity among foreign tourists! Samurai designs, in particular, are said to be “cool with dynamic characters that look like they were written in Japanese calligraphy”!

They are comfortable to wear and reasonably priced. They have a wide variety of designs and sizes, so how about making it a souvenir?

・No.4 Postcards of Himeji Castle

『Himeji Castle Postcards』110 yen each, set of 12 cards 880 yen

The postcards, which capture Himeji Castle in each of the four seasons, are all precious and spectacular views. Some people buy postcards for interior decoration, while others write messages and send them from Himeji to family and friends in their own countries.

Postage stamps are also available, so if you have any questions, feel free to ask the staff.

・No.5 Black beans from Tanba

『Black beans from Tanba』from 650 yen

The interesting thing about this store is that it offers a wide variety of specialty products from Himeji and other areas. The black bean series, which uses Hyogo Prefecture’s famous Tanba black beans, is particularly popular among Asian tourists.

The crunchy and fragrant roasted beans can be used as a snack with alcoholic beverages, while softly sweet black beans sprinkled with crystal sugar and soft-tasting amanatto beans are sure to be a hit as a tea snack.

・No.6 Key chains

『Key chain』from 440 yen

Key chains are preferred as souvenirs because they are relatively inexpensive and do not add bulk to luggage. The wide variety of designs and colors makes them a popular choice for men and women of all ages.

The most popular motifs are those that symbolize Japanese culture, such as Himeji Castle, Japanese swords, and beckoning cats, but there are also unique products such as “Nandemo Charging-kun”.

Three types of terminal cables support all types of smartphone charging. The highly functional key chain is a perfect travel companion.

・No.7 Teacups and mugs

『Teacups and mugs』880 yen each

Elegant teacups with Himeji Castle patterns and mugs with kanji characters printed on them also rank proudly. Despite their luxurious appearance, they are reasonably priced, starting at 880 yen.

They are perfect for soaking up the afterglow of your trip, as you can feel Japanese culture in your daily dining experience. Not only for beverage use, they are also easy to use as pen holders and accessory holders.

・No.8 Reusable bags

『Reusable bag』880 yen

You have bought too many souvenirs and can’t fit them in your travel carry-on case! How about a reusable bag in such a case?

These large, compact reusable bags are the perfect size for packing up your souvenir purchases and luggage.

Maiko, castles, and other designs with a distinctly Japanese flavor have been well received by foreign tourists.

・No.9 hacomo PUSU PUSU

『hacomo PUSU PUSU』1,650 yen each

Cardboard craft made of corrugated cardboard with motifs of famous Japanese shrines and temples such as Himeji Castle, Kiyomizu Temple, and Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine.

Simply insert the small, precision laser-cut cardboard parts into the model to create a three-dimensional Himeji Castle!

Easy design, no glue or scissors required. The lightweight material makes it easy to take home, making it a popular souvenir.

・No.10 Himeleather craft

『Himeji leather works』from 2,200-19,800 yen

Himeji leather works, a traditional industry that has continued for 350 years and is the pride of Himeji. The beautiful skin-colored white leather is tanned, stamped, and colored one by one with a brush.

Foreign tourists are so impressed by the light and soft texture of the tanned white leather that they buy a variety of items such as pouches, eyeglass cases, and wallets. The shop offers a wide variety of designs, including Himeji Castle and flower patterns, and the clasp coin purses are especially popular.

That’s all for the ranking of souvenirs popular among foreign tourists in TAKATANOBABA. Did you find any items you were interested in? Don’t forget to buy a souvenir for yourself to commemorate your visit to Himeji!

■Information