🥈 Terracotta Army & Neuschwanstein Castle in Japan – Taiyo Park, Hyogo

When you think of Hyogo, Himeji Castle (and Kobe beef) usually comes to mind. But tucked away at the base of Mt. Mineai is one of Japan’s quirkiest attractions.

Taiyo Park is a theme park where you can “travel the world” in a single visit, from the Great Wall of China to Germany’s Neuschwanstein Castle — and they’re not miniatures.

Terracotta Warriors & The Great Wall

The China‑themed zone is one of the most striking parts of Taiyo Park. There is an area where 1,000 terracotta warrior replicas stand in formation.

Nearby is the Tiananmen area, with the famous square and tall gazebos where you can stop and take in the view over the park.

Kei

There’s even a big gong that you can actually strike – it sends a deep echo across the park that’s strangely satisfying.

Beyond that, a section of the Great Wall winds up the hillside, and you can walk along it for views of the mountains… along with a view of Neuschwanstein Castle. 😲

Neuschwanstein Castle

The park’s centerpiece is the swan castle, modeled after Germany’s Neuschwanstein castle. You take a monorail up the mountain to reach this amazing replica made at two-thirds of the real size.

From the outside, it looks like a fairy‑tale castle perched dramatically on a mountain. Inside, you’ll find trick art galleries to take fun, whimsical photos. (I won’t post our attempts here 😜)

Even though it’s faithful in design, it does have a theme park feel to it — modern instead of imposing — but it’s still majestic, photogenic, and a memorable highlight of the visit.

Kei

I was able to access the outdoor area that’s off-limits at the real castle in Germany! (Something I found out when I visited Neuschwanstein a couple years after.)

The swan castle lights up at night and it looks stunning as it glows on top of the mountains. (I wasn’t able to take a photo though as it lit up just as I hopped on the bus home.)

Japanese Temple & Stone Figures

Among the replicas of world monuments, Taiyo Park also includes a distinctly Japanese touch: a temple surrounded by countless little stone figures. Each statue has its own expression and character, creating a peaceful yet slightly mysterious atmosphere.

From the hill next to the temple’s main building, you can look down over the stone lantern path and the areas you walked to get here — it’s a pretty nice view.

Other World Monuments

Taiyo Park also features replicas inspired by Egypt, France and the Pacific Islands – although these are not as grand as the China and Germany areas.

Kei

You’ll notice there’s an elderly care home inside the park. I get the feeling the founder built the two together so residents could stroll through replicas of the world right outside their doorstep. It’s such a sweet idea.

Getting there

Taiyo Park is located at the base of Mt. Mineai, about 30 minutes from Himeji Station.

From Himeji Station, take the Shinki Bus bound for Midori‑dai and get off at Uchikoshi; from there it’ i’s a 7min walk to the entrance.

The park is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekdays, and from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekends and public holidays. Ticket are about 1,500yen and can be purchased at the gate with cash only. (But that’s much better than places that moved on to only offer online tickets that can’t be purchased with overseas credit cards.)

Kei

Wear sneakers! I walked about 18km this day, without much food. (There is a restaurant, but I was busy taking in all the world scenery and skipped it. Make sure you sit and dine to take a break.)

Amazingly, we had the place all to ourselves.

Taiyo Park may not be a traditional cultural site, but it’s definitely interesting and memorable. It’s quirky, photogenic, and a fun escape to other parts of the world within Japan. If visiting Himeji Castle or Kobe, Taiyo Park is a great side trip and is ranked “🥈=worth a detour” on my #revisitlist. 

Kei

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[Photos taken Nov 2012]