Top 5 Recommended Restaurants to Visit in Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture, Home to the World Heritage Site Himeji Castle | Hyogo Discover Oishii Japan -SAVOR JAPAN -Japanese Restaurant Guide-

Update-date: Oct 14 2024

Author: SAVOR JAPAN

Top 5 Recommended Restaurants to Visit in Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture, Home to the World Heritage Site Himeji Castle | Hyogo

Himeji City, located in the southwestern part of Hyogo Prefecture in an area known as Harima or Banshu, is bustling with tourists both domestic and international, thanks to its World Heritage site, Himeji Castle, also known as White Heron Castle. When visiting Himeji, why not try the fresh seafood from the Seto Inland Sea or the sake from local breweries in Himeji? We will introduce you to restaurants where you can enjoy the charms of Himeji.

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

Yakiniku Senzankaku

Enjoy the exquisite Japanese Black Wagyu beef barbecue with a secret sauce

Enjoy the exquisite Wagyu beef barbecue with a secret sauce

Located just a 5-minute walk from Himeji Station, Senzankaku is a yakiniku restaurant where guests can casually enjoy carefully selected Japanese Black Wagyu beef. The "Premium Tongue," which is in limited supply and often sells out, is enjoyed refreshingly with a sprinkle of lemon on salt-grilled meat. The "Premium Loin," which also uses only selected cuts, is highly recommended. The "Jar Kalbi," grilled with a secret sauce passed down from the previous generation, is another dish you definitely want to try.

The restaurant, with its warm wooden interior, offers both table seats and tatami mat seating areas in the traditional 'horigotatsu' style. The tatami area is popular among families and groups of friends. Table seats are lightly partitioned with bamboo blinds, allowing diners to enjoy their meals without hesitation. Not only does the restaurant serve meals, but it also boasts a wide selection of alcoholic beverages, including local Himeji sake from Japanese breweries, Korean liquors, wines, and beers.

Yakiniku Senzankaku

Open: [Wednesday-Sunday, National Holidays] Lunch 11:00 am - 2:00 pm [Tuesday-Sunday, National Holidays] Dinner 5:00 pm - 10:30 pm
Closed: Monday (except for National Holidays on Monday)
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
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Kappo Ryokan Shimizu

Cheers with seasonal island fish from the Seto Inland Sea's Ie Island and Banshu's local sake

Cheers with seasonal island fish from Seto Inland Sea's Kojima and Banshu local sake

Ie Island, located in the Harima Nada area of the Seto Inland Sea, is a treasure trove of fresh seafood, boasting the highest catch in the Seto Inland region. Just a five-minute walk from Miyako Port on Shima, the kappo ryokan Shimizu is a Japanese-style auberge where you can fully savor the island's fish. The local specialty of Harima Nada, the conger eel, is a must-try delicacy. The exquisite combination of eel and sauce in "Anajyu (conger eel bowl)" and the transformative "Anago Shabu" are highly recommended.

It takes about 30 minutes by ferry from Himeji Port to reach Ie Island, an island where a retro landscape reminiscent of bygone days unfolds. The restaurant is located along the coast of Ie Island, offering rooms with an ocean view. While listening to jazz music flowing inside the restaurant, you can enjoy the fresh seasonal fish caught that day, overlooking the Seto Inland Sea. It is also essential to try the local sake from Banshu, selected not by brand but by flavor.

Kappo Ryokan Shimizu

Open: Normal hours 11:00 - 21:00
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 8,000 JPY / [Lunch] 3,200 JPY
Access: Five minute walk from Miya Ko.
Address: 85 Ieshima-cho Miya, Himeji-shi, Hyogo
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Kiyose Sasama

Savor seasonal dishes and local sake in a traditional Japanese space

Enjoy seasonal dishes and local sake in a traditional Japanese setting

Kiyose Sasama, where you can savor Japanese cuisine that emphasizes seasonal ingredients, is located a 6-minute walk from Himeji Station. "Using seasonal ingredients as much as possible and serving them in their freshest state" is the restaurant's motto. Guests can enjoy dishes that capture the essence of the seasons, such as the "Assorted Sashimi" featuring fresh fish from the Seto Inland Sea, and the "Hassun" which offers a variety of textures and aromas. Also noteworthy is the lineup of local sake, primarily from Harima but also sourced from across the country.

Upon entering the restaurant through an entrance marked by pale green walls, you are greeted by a space filled with a Japanese ambiance. The first floor features only 8 counter seats. The second floor consists of private tatami rooms separated by Japanese sliding doors. Each tatami room has three tables for six people each, and by opening the Japanese sliding doors and connecting the tables, it can accommodate up to 20 people in a large hall. Enjoy a luxurious time savoring the season in a calm and serene setting.

Kiyose Sasama

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday] 6:00 pm - 11:00 pm
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
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Himeji Sushi-Ichi

Enjoy the fluffy texture of natural conger eel and seasonal fish from the Seto Inland Sea

Located a 15-minute walk from Himeji Station, Himeji Sushi-Ichi is a Japanese restaurant that specializes in seasonal ingredients, including fresh fish from the Seto Inland Sea. A recommended dish is the natural conger eel from the Seto Inland Sea, which offers a fluffy texture. While grilled eel sushi is the norm in Himeji, this restaurant's "Anago Sushi (Conger eel sushi)" features a plump steamed version. The "Anago no Ate," which combines the best of both steamed and grilled eel, is irresistible with its secret sauce.

The restaurant is located very close to Himeji Castle, making it a perfect spot to drop by while sightseeing. Upon entering through the entrance that exudes an air of an established presence, guests finds themselves in a purely Japanese-style setting. The counter seats, highlighted by a large fish tank, offer a prime view of the artisans' skills at work. There are four private rooms, recommended for those who prioritize privacy. These rooms can accommodate up to about 25 people when the partitions are removed, making it possible for group visits as well.

Himeji Sushi-Ichi

Open: Lunch 11:00 am - 2:00 pm (L.O. 1:50 pm) / Dinner 4:30 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:00 pm)
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 12,000 JPY / [Lunch] 5,000 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
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Sumiyaki Anago Yamayoshi

Thoroughly savor Himeji specialties such as conger eel and local sake

Located just a 3-minute walk from Himeji Station, Yamayoshi is a restaurant supported by many celebrities and gourmets. Its signature dish, "Anago Meshi (Conger eel rice)", features conger eel that has been both grilled and steamed, generously served on top of special seasoned rice. The "Anago Wappa," which allows diners to fully enjoy conger eel prepared in styles such as steamed, grilled, and simmered, is also recommended. Pairing the eel with local sake from Himeji is also a delightful choice.

Wrapped in a retro atmosphere, the restaurant interior evokes a scene from Japan of yesteryears. With only 14 seats, the space is cozy and feels like home. There are times when long lines form, but it is worth the wait. Cherishing traditional flavors, each dish is crafted with meticulous care, especially the eel dishes. Takeout options such as "Anago sushi (conger eel sushi)" are also available at the restaurant.

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
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Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.