・How to get to TAIYO PARK

From JR Himeji Station, take the Shinki Bus bound for Shirotoridai, get off at Shirotoridai 3-chome, 2 minutes, or take the bus bound for Midoridai, get off at Uchikoshi Nishi or Uchikoshi Shinden, 2 minutes walk.

Taiyo Koen is accessible from JR Himeji Station in about 30 minutes by Shinki Bus. After getting off at the bus stop “Shirotoridai 3-chome,” take the road on the left side of Lawson, walk about 100 meters and take the road on the right side. At the end of the street, turn left and you will see the entrance gate to the castle.

・TAIYO PARK

TAIYO PARK is a theme park located in an area of Himeji City with a lot of nature. In the park, there are buildings and statues reproducing cultural heritages from around the world.

It is popular as a tourist spot where visitors can feel like they are on a trip around the world even though they are in Japan.

“Swan Castle,” a reproduction of Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany, is a famous symbol of the park. The castle, perched on top of a mountain, looks like a European landscape.

The park is divided into two areas.

The “rock area” is home to the Arc de Triomphe, Terracotta Army, The Great Wall of China, pyramid, and other stone cultural heritage sites, and the “castle area” is where you can visit the Swan Castle at the top of the mountain. The Castle area is where you can visit the Swan Castle at the top of the mountain.

No matter where you take your pictures, you will be able to get great photos. Bring your camera along!

・Rock area

The rock area includes the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, the Great wall of china, the Gate of Heavenly Peace, the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx in Egypt, and the Temple of Stone on Yap Island in the Federated States of Micronesia.  Those cultural heritage sites from around the world are reproduced.

All of them have been faithfully (or wonderfully?) reproduced. You will feel as if you were there.

This is the only place in Japan where you can feel like you are in New York and Easter Island at the same time.

The Terracotta Army was created at the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor in China. The sight of 1,000 stone sculptures in a row is overwhelmingly powerful.

The Indian “Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor” is about 25 meters high, larger than the famous Daibutsu in Nara and Kamakura in Japan. It is the largest half-carved Buddha in Japan.

・Castle area

In the “Castle area,” the most beautiful castle in the world, Neuschwanstein Castle, also known as “Swan Castle,” is recreated in a two thirds scale.

To get to the “Swan Castle” at the top of the mountain, visitors can take a 3-minute ride on the monorail. The fare for the ride is only the park entrance fee.

The monorail runs every 20 to 30 minutes both up and down, but it is recommended to check the schedule in advance to make the most of your time.

Wheelchairs and baby strollers are also allowed on the monorail.

Inside the castle, “trick art” that uses optical illusions is on display. Panels reproducing famous paintings from around the world and scenes from movies are on display, making visitors feel as if they have jumped into the world of artwork. Be sure to bring your camera and take some interesting pictures.

At “Welcome house swan” near Shiratori Castle, visitors can enjoy a meal or a café. Udon, curry, beef bowls, etc. are available, and there is also a menu for children.　More info (Japanese guide only) >>

There is also a souvenir store. The recommended souvenir is “Taiyo Koen Hakuchojo Senbei” (700 yen for 12 pieces). This is an original souvenir with Shiratori Castle painted on the surface of a sweet rice cracker in the shape of a Japanese roof tile called kawara senbei.

Visitors can enjoy taking pictures wearing ethnic costumes from around the world (1,000 yen for adults, 600 yen for children, limited to women). You can take pictures as popular characters from cartoons or maids. Children’s costumes are also available, so parents and children can wear them together. Pose for a commemorative photo.

Stamp rally and treasure hunt events are held throughout the year. Take pictures, have a rest at the restaurant, participate in events, and have fun all day long at TAIYO PARK.

■Information