Right next to the Himeji Castle, there’s this great Japanese garden called “Kokoen” and it was my first time being there – so picturesque! You can take beautiful pictures anywhere in the garden. Very relaxed and refined, my friend and I were happy just being there and watching all the natural beauties.

Here are some photos I took.

I got to visit Himeji city by using my Japan rail pass and see my old friend there. Himeji city has this beautiful castle built in the early 17th century and it is registered as the World Cultural Heritage. It is simply amazing.

From my hometown Takamatsu, I first got on Marin Liner which goes across the Great Seto Bridge (Seto Ohashi) to go to Okayama prefecture. I used to ride this train everyday to go to high school.

From the window:

Marin Liner goes under the bridge:

In this Seto Inland Sea (Seto Naikai), almost 3,000 islands are located! It might be hard to see in these pictures, but you can see many of them from the train.

I love seeing ocean:

From Okayama, I rode Shinkansen again:

and here I was, in Himeji.

Around castle:

Himeji Castle:

Going into the Castle area:

Panoramic picture (click to see a larger image)

You can go all the way to the top of the castle, but I didn’t have time this time…

There is always a new fashion trend in Japan, and these socks are everywhere here right now. You wear them underneath the mary-jane, ballerina shoes and/or sandals and it will show a little bit around the shoes. They come with so many colors, kinds, materials and they look so cute that I already bought 5 pairs! They also have so many cute leggings here, too.