All Reviews of Underground Mall Grand Festa / Festa BLD. in front of Himeji Station

I especially recommend going up to JR Himeji Station to take a photo of the view from afar,
and following this reminder 🔔 for travelers to slow down
and truly appreciate the beauty of the White Heron Castle 😊:

• Otemae Street, which stretches from JR Himeji Station to the entrance of Himeji Castle, is an outdoor gallery street renovated under Japan’s first implementation of the “Hokomichi” sidewalk utilization system. Along the way, there are many artworks and statues created by renowned sculptors.
One example is “Face of the Moon”:
Its clean lines and metal materials symbolize the universe, encouraging passersby to look up at the sky amid the bustle of the city and appreciate the poetry of nature.
• “I Can Hear It”: This work captures the classic gesture of listening to a conch shell, symbolizing the exploration of nature’s sounds and reminding people to slow down and listen to the whispers of the wind and their inner voice.

Himeji FESTA is located in front of JR Himeji Station and is a very convenient multipurpose shopping complex in central Himeji, easily accessible right from the station. Inside, there are many restaurants, clothing stores, variety shops, and lifestyle stores, as well as places to find local Himeji specialties and souvenirs. It’s a good place to sit down for a meal while shopping. For travelers using JR Himeji Station as their transportation hub, it’s very convenient for finding something to eat after arriving, taking a short break, or shopping before heading home.

We took the train to Himeji Castle early in the morning. Since the crowds were still light, we could really enjoy this beautiful, snow-white World Heritage Site.

After visiting the castle, we stopped by the nearby Himeji City Zoo. It’s not a large zoo, but there were surprisingly quite a few animals. You can also enjoy views of Himeji Castle while strolling around, so it’s great for a family trip.

In the afternoon, we slowly walked back toward Himeji Station and browsed the shopping streets and shopping areas around the station. Compared with popular spots like Osaka and Kyoto, there were far fewer tourists, which made it feel especially relaxed and comfortable. It was nice to take our time buying souvenirs, grabbing small snacks, and enjoying the laid-back atmosphere of downtown Himeji.

Spending the day with an old castle, a zoo, and a relaxed shopping walk felt unrushed and not crowded. It really let us appreciate the charm of traveling in a smaller Japanese city.