abmj-jr, thanks for the advice. This itinerary starts on October 15th. Will Himeji castle be open then?

I'm still unsure what city I will be leaving from. I am going to Seoul next, and may just take the ferry from FUK if I can't find a flight. Right now they are all looking pretty ridiculously overpriced, but I may use miles and leave from one of the other airports like you suggested.

Do you have any suggestions regarding the weather during this time?