Himeji no Saiten (2nd Edition)

A free one-day event, now in its second year, on the Nigiwai Plaza just north of JR Himeji Station. The day runs through a somen noodle speed-eating contest with noodles from Men-no-Ya in Tatsuno, a try-it session of Nankin Tamasudare street performance, live calligraphy by four calligraphers, belly dance and yosakoi on stage, and "Tyranno de Dance" with dancing T-rex costumes, ending with a set by Yuka Fukunaga, who sings the event's theme song. Stalls sell curry, stir-fries and coffee, other booths offer brush-lettering and kids' nail art, and the area where you can wear a T-rex suit is free. Right outside the station, it makes an easy stop on a family day out in Himeji.