One of Hyogo Prefecture's Top Cherry Blossom Viewing Spots! 5 Must-Visit Shops When Visiting Himeji Castle Discover Oishii Japan -SAVOR JAPAN -Japanese Restaurant Reservation Guide-

Update-date: Feb 21 2024

Author: SAVOR JAPAN

One of Hyogo Prefecture's Top Cherry Blossom Viewing Spots! 5 Must-Visit Shops When Visiting Himeji Castle

One of the major events of spring is cherry blossom viewing, and a must-visit spot in Hyogo Prefecture is Himeji Castle. Known as the White Egret Castle, the stunning contrast between the beautiful castle and the cherry blossoms is truly breathtaking. If you're visiting Himeji Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, here are five nearby restaurants you should definitely check out. Enjoy both the cherry blossoms and gourmet delights to the fullest.

See full listings of Japanese Cuisine restaurants found in and around Hyogo.

1. Japanese Cuisine / Himeji Sushi-Ichi

Experience the true deliciousness of natural conger eel from the Seto Inland Sea.

Located a 15-minute walk from Himeji Station and close to Himeji Castle, you'll find the upscale Japanese restaurant "Himeji Sushi-Ichi". Here, you can enjoy dishes centered around fish from the Seto Inland Sea. Particularly noteworthy are the "Anago no Ate," featuring plump steamed conger eel grilled with their special sauce, and the "Anago no Nigiri Sushi," among other menu items made with natural conger eel from the Seto Inland Sea. These dishes pair excellently with Japanese sake.

The restaurant has an impressive storefront with a large noren curtain displaying the restaurant's name. Inside, there are counter seats perfect for solo diners or couples, as well as four private rooms. The private rooms offer a relaxing Japanese ambiance, and they can accommodate gatherings ranging from 2 to 25 people, making them suitable for various occasions.

Himeji Sushi-Ichi

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday, Holidays, Day Before Holidays] Dinner 16:30 - 22:00 / Lunch 11:30 - 13:30
Closed: Sunday
Average price: [Dinner] 12,000 JPY / [Lunch] 4,000 JPY
Access: Exit JR Himeji Station and head toward Himeji Castle. Turn left at the sixth corner, and you will come across the restaurant on the left just before Prefectural Road 62.
Address: 35 Sakamoto-machi, Himeji, Hyogo Map
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2. Japanese Cuisine / Kiyose Sasama

Indulge in a variety of dishes that evoke the flavors of the Seto Inland Sea's seasonal delicacies.

Located just a 6-minute walk from Himeji Station, "Kiyose Sasama" offers dishes created with the motto of using seasonal ingredients as much as possible and providing them in a fresh state. They offer a variety of visually appealing dishes that allow you to enjoy the blessings of the Seto Inland Sea on one plate, such as the "Sashimi Assortment," where you can taste the freshness of the sea, and the beautiful "Hassun" appetizer platter.

On the cozy first floor of the restaurant, you'll find a space with a traditional Japanese atmosphere, featuring a small counter with eight seats. Here, you can enjoy leisure time while conversing with the owner and head chef, Mr. Sasama. The second floor consists of tatami-mat rooms that can be used as private dining rooms. By opening the sliding doors, these rooms can accommodate groups of up to 20 people. They offer a wide selection of local sake, primarily sourced from Harima as well as from all over Japan, allowing you to enjoy them alongside their dishes.

Kiyose Sasama

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday] 18:00 - 00:00
Closed: Sunday, National Holidays
Average price: [Dinner] 12,000 JPY
Access: 6-minute walk from Himeji Station (JR lines). Located west of Shirogane West Intersection.
Address: 82 Junishomae-cho, Himeji, Hyogo Map
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3. Japanese Cuisine / Sumiyaki Anago Yamayoshi

Indulge in the charm of Himeji with tantalizing conger eel and local sake that captivate food enthusiasts.

Located just a 3-minute walk from Himeji Station, "Sumibi Anago Yamayoshi" is a popular restaurant that enchants many food enthusiasts, often with long queues. Their signature dish, the "Anago-meshi," features eel grilled over charcoal, then steamed and generously served on top of their special green tea rice. The sauce is made with ginger, a specialty product of Himeji, providing a fragrant aroma and rich flavor. Another recommended dish is "Anago Wappa," which offers a variety of eel dishes, including steamed, grilled, and simmered eel.

The interior of the restaurant exudes a spacious yet nostalgic Japanese ambiance. With a cozy atmosphere and a total of 14 table seats, guests can enjoy their meal in a homely setting. Additionally, there is a takeaway counter at the storefront offering "Anago Meshi," "Anago Sushi," and "Anago Wappa" for souvenirs, perfect for after enjoying the cherry blossoms at Himeji Castle.

Sumiyaki Anago Yamayoshi

Open: 11:00 am - 8:00 pm (L.O. 7:30 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 2,000 JPY
Access: 3-minute walk from Himeji Station on the JR Kobe Line or from Sanyo Himeji Station on the Sanyo Electric Railway Main Line / Exit JR Himeji Station to the north, enter Omizosuji shopping street and walk 1 minute to the north
Address: 1F, 301, Ekimae-cho, Himeji-shi, Hyogo Map
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4. Yakiniku / Yakiniku Senzankaku

A yakiniku restaurant where you can enjoy carefully selected Japanese black beef at reasonable prices.

Located just a 3-minute walk from Sanyo Himeji Station, "Yakiniku Senzankaku" is a yakiniku restaurant where you can enjoy carefully selected Japanese black beef at reasonable prices. They offer premium cuts such as "Top Sirloin and high-quality "Jou Tan" (tongue), ensuring a delightful dining experience. Their popular "Special Hormone Nabe (hotpot)," available for takeout, is also a hit. You can enjoy delicious meat along with a wide selection of alcoholic beverages.

The restaurant offers both table seating and sunken kotatsu-style seating. The comfortable, sunken seating is perfect for larger groups and gatherings. The table seating areas are divided by gentle bamboo blinds, creating a calm and relaxing atmosphere. It's no wonder that many families visit on weekends to enjoy the relaxed ambiance and delicious yakiniku.

Yakiniku Senzankaku

Open: Dinner 17:00 - 22:30 (last order 22:00) [Wednesday - Sunday, Holidays] Lunch 11:00 - 14:00　
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 4,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,000 JPY
Access: 5 minutes on foot from the Central Exit of JR Himeji Station
Address: 57 Kubo-cho, Himeji, Hyogo Map
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5. French / SORA NIWA

Enjoy Japanese and French cuisine in a prime location with a magnificent view of Himeji Castle.

Located a 7-minute walk from Himeji Station, "SORA NIWA" is a sky restaurant with a stunning view of Himeji Castle. The dishes created by two chefs blend Japanese and French cuisine with originality. They offer a selection of dishes made with carefully selected, locally sourced ingredients, ensuring you can taste the deliciousness of the season.

On the 6th floor of a building, the restaurant's location truly lives up to its name, "Sora Niwa" (Sky Garden). With large windows overlooking Himeji Castle, the interior offers different atmospheres: bright and airy during the day and chic and sophisticated at night. Private rooms are also available, accommodating groups of up to 10 people. It's a delightful place to dine while enjoying the cherry blossoms of Himeji Castle after a day of hanami.

SORA NIWA

Open: [Sunday,Monday,Wednesday - Saturday,Holidays,Day Before Holidays] Lunch 11:30 - 15:00 (last order 13:30)[Sunday,Wednesday - Saturday,Holidays,Day Before Holidays] Dinner 17:30 - 21:30 (last order 19:30)
Closed: (Other irregular holidays may occur)
Average price: [Dinner] 5,000 JPY / [Lunch] 4,000 JPY
Access: 7-minute walk from Himeji station on the JR Lines.
Address: 6F Miki Bldg., 241 Honmachi, Himeji, Hyogo Map
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Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.