The North Building has two permanent exhibits: the "Himeji Castle Historical Story Corridor," which traces the history of Himeji as a story, and the "Forest of Words Exhibition Room," which features the voices of writers and scholars with ties to Harima. The dramatic exhibits are easy to understand, allowing visitors to grasp the castle town's overall history in one go. The South Building also houses the Shiba Ryotaro Memorial Room, a library, and a space for parents and children. The building, with its exposed concrete, water basins, and corridors, is typical of Tadao Ando's design.

Approximately 20,000 items related to Harima literature and culture are on display.

The grounds are home to the Taisho-era Japanese-style building, Boukeitei (a registered tangible cultural property), and its picturesque Japanese-style rooms and gardens. The rooftop terrace on the third floor of the North Building offers views of Himeji Castle, and the walking paths outside the building are also ideal for photography.