Koko-en sits along the western moat of Himeji Castle and is the natural second half of a castle visit. It is actually nine small gardens arranged inside the foundations of the old samurai quarter, each with a different character — a tea garden, a pine garden, a bamboo grove, a flatland pond garden with carp the size of small dogs. The walking route ties them together with covered corridors and stone bridges that move you through the spaces unhurriedly.
The combined castle and garden ticket saves about ¥260 and is the obvious choice. Tea and a wagashi sweet in the formal teahouse, looking out across the pond, is a worthwhile pause; the autumn maples and spring irises are the showpiece seasons.