Kansai West 1st Part; Revisiting Himeji's Taiyo Park

4 Days Revisiting Japan in Winter with my Mother

February 10 to February 14, 2015

Kansai South last Part; Cable Car to Koyasan

Himeji's Taiyo Park and 3D Photo Studios (June 2013)

How to go to Taiyo Park;
From Himeji station, walk away around 50m towards the bus terminal which is exactly infront of the exit. Ride bus #43 with fare fee of 490JPY. Bus timings is every hours basis, Tourist office inside Himeji train station has a schedule copy. Travel time is around 30mins, alight to Ushikoshi-Shinden bus stop. Park visiting hours is 0900H-1700H with entrance fee of 1,300 JPY ($13) and 600 JPY for children. Bus ride is not included in KTP and no admission discount.

Until now, most foreign tourists don't know about this place because it's tucked away in the countryside and is quite remote. The park is like a journey around the world, this the reason why I revisited this place for my mother's fascination. There was also an added excitement while touring the park which is collecting the 8 stamps placed on the world-renowned tourist spots. Of course, we completed the stamps together with the 3D photoshoots for around 3 hours of strolling.

Kansai West 1st Part; Revisiting Himeji's Taiyo Park (stamps of 8 major spots completed)

3D Photo Studios, Himeji Taiyo Park Specials

7-days wandering solo in summer Japan
May 28 - June 04, 2013 Tuesday to Tuesday

Himeji solo day trip 2nd part: Taiyo Park

First part of Taiyo Park is the other side of it which is the Hakucho Castle. This castle (reproduction of Neuschwanstein Castle from Germany) is a building that becomes the main area of the park. The swan Castle (Hakucho-ji) of medieval European style was completed in 2008. There is a Welcome House Swan and then monorail which is included in the entrance fee. On the 3rd floor to 7th floor are the 3D-studios (anamorphic illusions) which grabbed my attention because this was my first time to play the illusions behind the magnificent arts.

Anamorphosis is a distorted projection or perspective requiring the viewer to use special devices or occupy a specific vantage point to reconstitute the image. The word "anamorphosis" is derived from the Greek prefix ana-, meaning back or again, and the word morphe, meaning shape or form.

Hakucho-ji (Neuschwanstein Castle)

Hakucho-ji (Neuschwanstein Castle)

Himeji solo day trip 2nd part: Taiyo Park

7-days wandering solo in summer Japan
May 28 - June 04, 2013 Tuesday to Tuesday

Himeji solo day trip 1st part; the Castle & Koko-en

I just discovered this park when the counter in Himeji Castle "koko-en" handed-over mistakenly the Taiyo Park leaflet in Japanese. Since It was already on me, why not check what it offers. Surprisingly, it caught my attention due to its "Terracotta Army" reproduction which originates in China and I missed-out to visit last Febr. 2013 due to limited time. At that instant, change itinerary. Scrap Kobe, extend Himeji stay.

Taiyo Park spreads across the foot of Mt. Mineia. Stone images and ruins of the world, such as the Arch of Triumph (France), the Great Wall (China), the moai statue (Easter Island), a pyramid (Egypt) and the Terracotta Warriors are reproduced in the park. It is wonderful and interesting spot where you can feel as if you were traveling all over the world while in Himeji.

How to go to Taiyo Park :

From Himeji station, walk away around 50m towards the bus terminal which is exactly infront of the exit. Ride bus #43 with fare fee of 480yen. Bus timings is every hours basis, Tourist office inside station has a schedule copy. Travel time is around 30mins, alight to Ushikoshi-Shinden bus stop. Park visiting hours is 0900H-1700H with entrance fee of 1,300yen ($13) and 600yen for children.

Taiyo Park's Terracotta Army (China)

 

Himeji Solo Day trip 1st part: the Castle and Koko-en

7-days wandering solo in summer Japan
May 28 - June 04, 2013 Tuesday to Tuesday

Kyoto solo day-trip last part: Nijo-jo & Fushimi Inari 

6th day of 7-days journey summer season in the Land of the Rising sun. Initial plan for this day was Nara-Kobe-Himeji but when I aboard the platform in Osaka JR station, I saw Himeji bound was earlier to depart around 30 minutes than Nara. Himeji is west bound of Osaka, opposite side of Nara (east bound), of course I have map with me, the basis why I had sudden change of route. By the way, Himeji Tourism office located inside the station before the exit has FREE WI-FI, no registration needed. I just remembered this because before and after my Himeji tour I just check-out first my phone to update my foursquare, instagram and facebook status as well.

Himeji is a small city at the western edge of the Kansai region of Japan with Japan's finest castle. At one point in the late 1500's, it was the biggest castle in all of Asia. The city has been featured in a series of Japanese and foreign films due to its picturesque old-Japan look.
http://wikitravel.org/en/Himeji

Himeji Castle is Japan's first World Cultural Heritage site which was registered in 1993 and designated as national treasure in 1931. Built in the early 17th century, this caste represents the highest achievement in Japanese Castle architecture. The castle's beauty and level of perfection are the greatest of any wooden structure in Japan. Many structures such as keeps, towers, walls and moat have been well preserved for over 400 years. The site is famous for showing the unique defensive methods of Japan feudal era. Because of its elegant appearance, the catle has been compared to a white bird in the sky. Its famous nickname is "White Heron Castle".

Himeji Castle