Summary of events in Himeji City in the year 2025

In 2025, various events are scheduled throughout the year around Himeji Station, including Himeji Castle, Kokoen Garden, Otemae Street, and Arcrea HIMEJI.

There are many noteworthy events such as the annual nighttime light up held at Himeji Castle and Kokoen during the cherry blossom and autumn leaves seasons, the “Himeji Yukata Festival,” a summer tradition in Himeji, and the “Hime-CON 2025” cosplay event held in the entire Himeji City area! Please check them out in advance and visit!

2. [Mar. 28 – Apr. 6] Himeji Castle and Koko-en Garden Nighttime Cherry Blossom Light Up

Date: March 28 – April 6, 2025 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m (Last admission 8:30 p.m. )
Place: Himeji Castle Nishi-no-maru Balley map
Admission: Adults: 600 yen / Children (Elementary to high school students): 200 yen

Himeji Castle is selected as one of the 100 best cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan, and is known as a cherry blossom viewing spot. Someiyoshino cherry trees and weeping cherry trees in Nishi-no-maru Garden are illuminated for a limited time.

The highlight of the event is the light displays based on various themes each year. In the past, the beautiful productions that colored the four seasons or expressed the history of Himeji have attracted attention and entertained visitors.

We are looking forward to seeing what the theme will be this year. Enjoy the fantastic co-starring of the castle and cherry blossoms that can only be seen at this time of year.

A word from a local writer
The beautiful nighttime collaboration of Himeji Castle and cherry blossoms is a must-see! The lights are on until 9:00 p.m., so you may want to visit after enjoying a meal in front of the station and taking a walk.

Date: March 28 – April 6, 2025 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (Last admission 7:30 p.m.)
Place: Koko-en map
Admission: Adults (18 years old and up): 310 yen
Children (elementary, junior high, and high school students): 150 yen

In Koko-en Garden, about 70 cherry trees including weeping cherry, mountain cherry, and someiyoshino cherry will be in full bloom from March to April. A Cherry Blossom Viewing Festival is held every year when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom.

During the event, the cherry blossoms and other cherry blossoms in the garden are lit up at sunset. The beauty of the cherry blossoms at night, blending in with the Japanese-style garden, is breathtaking.　More info >> 

The restaurant “Kassuiken” in the garden will be open at night only on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays during the event period, offering a special menu “Sakurabana Gozen” (2,890 yen), limited to 20 servings per day. Advance reservations are required at least 3 days in advance.

Editor’s Comment
The elegant scenery with Himeji Castle in the background and the cherry blossoms reflected in the surface of the pond are famous as a great photo spot that can only be seen at this time of year. Enjoy an evening stroll with camera in hand.

3. [Apr. 13 – Oct. 13] Himeji Otemae Street Illumination

Date:
April 13 – August 31, 2025 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
September 1 – October 13, 2025 6:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
*All hours are until midnight on weekends and national holidays.
Place: Otemaes Street (from Shirogane intersection to Himeji-jo intersection) map
Admission: Free

Himeji Street Illumination will be held in the area around Himeji Station, mainly on Otemae Street. The event started in fiscal 2023 with the aim of creating a “proud castle town” for citizens and “hospitality” for tourists in anticipation of inbound demand for the Osaka-Kansai Expo.

This year’s event will be held during the Expo period, and is expected to attract even more people.　More info >>

Editor’s Comment
Himeji Otemae Street Illumination is becoming a standard winter event in Himeji. It is nice to see it from spring to fall this year. Expectations are even higher as a special production is planned for the period of the Osaka Expo!

4. [Apr. 19 – 20] Hime-CON 2025

Date:
April 19, 2025 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
April 20, 2025 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Place:
Main venue and reception: Arcrea Himeji (Himeji Cultural Convention Center)  map
Sub venue: Himeji Station North Bustling Exchange Square
Photo areas: In front of Himeji Castle, Koko-en Garden, Tegarayama, etc.
Addmission: Tickets are required for cosplayers and photographers only.

Hime-CON is a cosplay event where you can dress up as your favorite character, interact with people you meet on site, and enjoy taking photos.

The main venue is Arcrea Himeji, and visitors can enjoy photographing and interacting with people at Himeji’s iconic spots such as Himeji Castle, Koko-en Garden, and the Himeji Municipal Museum of Art.

More info >> Official website
More info >> Ticket sales
*Japanese page only

Editor’s Comment
On the 20th, there will be a parade through the shopping district in front of Himeji Station and many other fun things that only Himeji can offer! Maybe you can take this opportunity to invite your friends and try cosplaying?

5. [May. 16 – 18] 75th Himeji Castle Festival

Date: May 16 – 18, 2025
*The parade will be held on the 17th and 18th. Please check the official website for specific event times
Place: Otemae Street, Otemae Park, Himeji Castle San-no-Maru Square, etc.
Admission: Free

Himeji Castle Festival is one of the representative festivals of Himeji. The catchphrase for this year’s festival, the 75th, is “Himeji Castle(Egret Castle) with the Wind of the Future Shining”. A gorgeous historical picture scroll will be performed under the castle, and various events will be held.　More info (Japanese only) >>

Editor’s Comment
Last year, about 77,000 people visited this large-scale event over three days. Last year,former professional baseball player Takashi Toritani and TV personality Suzu Yamanouchi appeared in the “Himeji Daimyo Gyo-retsu,” one of the highlights of the event, and it was a great success. This year’s guests are also noteworthy!

6. [Scheduled for late June] Himeji Yukata Festival

Date: Late June (Last year’s festival was held on June 22 and 23)
Place: Osakabe Shrine, Jonan Park area, shopping streets, etc.
Admission: Free

The Himeji Yukata Festival is a summer tradition in Himeji. The highlight of the festival is the “Children’s Yukata Parade,” in which children carrying “Himeji Castle Ambassadors” and running lanterns parade from Himeji Castle to Jonan Park via Osakabe Shrine. In addition, singing, dancing, drumming and other performances echo through the summer night, adding to the excitement of the event.

Editor’s Comment
On this day, the whole area around Himeji Station is decorated with people dressed in yukata, giving you the feeling of a summer festival a little early. If you are going to go out, try going out in a yukata.

7. [Scheduled for late September] Himeji Minato Festival Maritime Fireworks

Date: Mid-September (Tentative)
Place: Himeji Port (Shikama area) map
Admission: Required in some areas

Himeji Port Festival Maritime Fireworks is a major event in Himeji, attracting many spectators from inside and outside the city. 5,000 fireworks lit up the night sky and the sea last year, the first time in five years, and the event was a great success with approximately 160 food stalls.

Editor’s Comment
Fireworks launched from a barge only 300 meters from the viewing area are a powerful spectacle! Last year, the fireworks included a water starmine, a trap firework, and a shakudama (No. 10 ball), which is rarely seen anywhere else, and which drew loud cheers from the crowd.

8. [Oct. 6] Himeji Castle and Koko-en Garden Moon Viewing Party

Date: October 6, 2025
Place: Himeji Castle San-no-Maru Square map
Admission: Free

At Himeji Castle, Koto and taiko performances, tea ceremony (with limited tea cakes), local sake and tsukimi dango (moon-viewing dumplings) will be available for purchase, allowing visitors to enjoy a tasteful autumn evening.

Editor’s Comment
The Mid-Autumn Moon and the illuminated Himeji Castle make for a spectacular sight. Enjoy the moonlit night while eating local delicacies.

Date: October 6, 2025 (tentative)
Place: Koko-en map
Admission: Adults (18 years and older): 310 yen / Children (elementary, junior high, and high school students): 150 yen

At Koko-en Gardem, in addition to lighting up each garden, a moon-viewing tea ceremony will be held at the Soju-an Tea Ceremony Room.

Editor’s Comment
Visitors can enjoy the Mid-Autumn Moon while strolling through the beautiful Japanese garden. Every year, the restaurant “Kassuiken” in the garden offers a limited menu. Enjoy your meal while gazing at the fantastic garden.

◆Event List