HIMEJI CASTLE
Guide to Himeji Castle - a World Heritage listed
traditional Japanese castle. Himeji Castle is the best example of a
Japanese castle.
 Himeji
Castle is located
Himeji
in Hyogo Prefecture, Kansai
Japan. In 1992 Himeji Castle was recognised by UNESCO as a building of world significance
and was added to the World Heritage list. Himeji Castle is an excellent
example of
a Japanese castle
with its
traditional wooden architecture and its stone walls with their
white plastered walls have been well maintained.
(Pictures can be enlarged by clicking on them.)
 History
Himeji Castle:
In 1333 Norimura Akamatsu, the
ruler of Harima District, built a fort where the Himeji Castle now stands.
ln 1346 his son, Sadanori further expanded the fort.
In the 16th century the fort was removed and a three story castle was
built in its place by Hideyoshi Hasiba. This is the basic structure that
is seen today. In 1601 Terumasa Ikeda started digging three moats
around the castle building and completed the whole castle complex as it is
in 1609. The outer moat is just north of where J.R. Himeji train station
is today. After the Ikedas, Tadamasa Honda added some buildings in West
Bailey.
 Main Tower with the smaller towers and corridors connecting these towers
have been registered as national treasures. The Cosmetic Tower, 27 ‘yagura',
15 gates, and 1,000 meter long earthen walls have been registered as
important cultural treasures. A part of the middle moat, and the whole
inner moat retained as they were In the feudal times. The area inside the
middle moat has been registered as a special historical site.
The Himeji Castle has never been involved in war or battle.
It is difficult in the pictures to really project how steep and imposing
the structure is.
 Here
in the foreground you can see the shape and angle of the "fan curve" at
the base of the wall. This shape provides significantly greater strength
and stability to the base of the walls. You can think of them as half an
inverted arch.
 Here
already within the Castle structure is another moat to provide a further
level of protection. Beyond the moat is another wall and then many more
levels to reach Castle proper. It really is layer upon layer of defences.
 Without
having to leave the Castle you were still able to have these beautiful
gardens. This sort of resting place would have been very important in
times when a castle was under attack.
Himeji Castle Tours
Organised tours are available in English from
Kyoto to Himeji Castle. This is a full day
starting with a fast trip on the bullet train
to Himeji to visit the Himeji Castle, nicknamed
the "White Heron Castle", and designated a World Cultural Heritage site.
Take lunch and relax at the beautiful Kokoen Gardens before sampling
some sake at the Hakutsuru Sake Brewery. Explore the museum and learn
about sake brewing methods dating back to 1743.
More information and online bookings for Himeji Castle Tours here.
Himeji Castle Transport
Himeji Castle is short walk from J.R. Himeji station. You can catch a
train from Osaka (about an hour) or
Kobe (about 40 minutes). You need to allow at least 90 minutes
for this tour and it is quite physically taxing when you climb the tower.
More details on Himeji city in detailed article.
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Himeji
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