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Exploring Himeji Castle, Hyōgo Japan

Himeji Castle at Himeji prefecture in Japan is one of the original standing Japanese castles today. Built since 1333, Himeji Castle is one of Japanese masterpiece of classic wooden architecture, thoughtfully laid out, and beautifully preserved, surviving the world wars. UNESCO named it a World Heritage Site in 1993. Let’s take an exploration of the castle and walk into history.

Himeji Castle keep
Himeji Castle keep, let’s take an explore of the few intact Japanese Castles.

Getting to Himeji Palace is straightforward. If you arrive at Himeji train station, the garden is about a 20-minute walk under the sun or a 5-minute bus ride away (bus service 12) conveniently from the station bus terminal.

Himeji Castle from the train station
Himeji Castle viewed at the end from the train station exit.

Located in Himeji, Japan as its namesake, Himeji Palace sits on a high ground overlooking the entire city, hence it is easy to spot the castle from anywhere in the city. You can see the castle at the end of a long road straight right from the train station exit.

Bus service 12
Bus service 12 from the train station.

While temples in Kyoto are more of controlled access with restrictions everywhere, the route here Himeji sits in Shirotopia Memorial Park, a vast open park and city garden which once served as the boundaries of the castle keep.

Shirotopia Memorial Park
Shirotopia Memorial Park entrance with the Ōtemon Gate beyond a moat bridge.

It does remind you of the similar public gardens of Osaka castle too, where the castle gardens are now transformed into open public garden spaces, co-existing with the castle fortification and gates which once protected the keep.

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Ōtemon Gate
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Entry
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Keep grounds entry gate

You enter the park grounds over a moat bridge through Ōtemon Gate and outer courtyard. Notably, the Himeji City Zoo is also located here in the park grounds too, a small family-friendly zoo.

Himeji, the White Heron Castle History

Himeji Castle is known as the “White Heron Castle” for its distinctive and elegant white colour. The white came from the extensive use of white plaster to seal the various structural walls in place. This was an era before the invention of concrete as a building material. Also, the plaster was not just pretty but functional in helping to resist fire and dampness.

White Heron Castle
Himeji Castle is also known as the White Heron Castle for its white plaster facade.

On some historic background, Himeji Castle dates back to 1333 when Akamatsu Norimura built the first fort on Himeyama hill. The castle had undergone several improvements over the years. Over the centuries, various nobles and clans added work bits of improvements. For instance, his son rebuilt the castle in 1346, and later Toyotomi Hideyoshi expanded it further.

The current structure was shaped between 1601 and 1609 by Ikeda Terumasa, creating the final layout you see and preserved till today. On your visit, you notice the wooden fortress still stands strong despite wars, fires, and earthquakes. It was named a national treasure in 1931 and later a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. Here, you can also spot a plaque that names 74 of its structures as Important Cultural Assets.

Himeji castle grounds

Within Shirotopia Memorial Park, around it, you find defensive fortifications, turrets, moats, and baileys. You walk up to the Ōtemon Gate and you notice the neat stone walls. Ahead lies a wide courtyard framed by gardens and fragile cherry trees.

In spring, those trees bloom in pale pink. It has tad a magical feel. The vast clearing of the Sannomaru Square greets you past the Ōtemon Gate, used to host events and a picturesque place to grab photos of the castle in the background.

Sannomaru Square clearing
Sannomaru Square clearing when you enter past the Ōtemon Gate.

You head inside past a ticket booth. Moreover, entry to the Himeji Castle and keep area costs 1000 yen per adult, and 50 yen more with a bundle to Koko-en garden. Notably, if you have time to spare, it is recommended to combine the visit of Himeji Castle, with the Koko-en garden for a marginal extra fee as a combo. Also, since the two attractions are next to each other which makes it ideal for a back to back visit.

Ticket machine
Automated ticket machine to buy your combination tickets.

Exterior living quarters

Living rooms
Living rooms you can explore as you tour the the castle living quarters separate from the keep building.

A secondary attraction to visit is the castle living quarters. Making a left from the ticketing entrance brings you on a walk-through exploration of the living quarters once used by samurai, retainers, and guards. This single-floored houses on the perimeter comprises of long corridors and small chambers feel authentic and a tad eerie.

Residential corridors
Residential connecting corridors.
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Stairs into the quarters
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View from accomodati0on
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Residential rooms

Moreover, it was the home to different royalties including the residence of the queen herself. This is told through various infographic and media screens here you can explore at your own time. At times, you can take a peek out of the windows to enjoy the view out into the city.

Castle accommodation city view
Castle accommodations and city view from the living quarters.
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Window views
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Castle from the entrance
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Exterior living quarters

Also, exploring these rows of wooden houses runs in a linear manner starting at one end of the garden and ending at a spot nearer to the castle itself. Also, shoes are not allowed within and you carry your shoes in provided bags as you won’t be returning to the start point at the end.

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Shoe area
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Shoe carry
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Castle gardens
Living quarters building
Living quarters building located near the green gardens.

Moreover, these areas show daily life within a feudal stronghold. You see how everything from storage rooms, oil trap doors, to watch towers worked together as part of the defence. The park is lively during April cherry blossom full bloom season, drawing large crowds for Hinami.

Gardens and blossoms
Gardens and off-season cherry blossoms trees in summer.

Nearing the castle keep, you pass through several cleverly designed path and alleyways surrounded by tall castle walls. Also, the path snakes through gates and walls in a maze layout. You navigate the confusing maze of gates and corridors that zigzag design was meant to slow attackers. You feel the past unfold with every turn. Outside, the gardens are a washed with gardens and cherry blossom trees.

Castle keep entrance
Castle keep entrance, one flanked by large stone walls.

Going up the castle keep

Entering the keep allows you to explore the five-plus-story main keep with its wooden halls and defensive features. Also, the keep looks like five stories but actually hides seven levels, including a basement.

Keep vast keep second floor
Keep keep vast second floor, it gets smaller as you go up.
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Going up
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Keep basement floor
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Keep open clearing

With your shoes tucked at the entry holding area, you explore the keep feeling the bare wooden floors on your feet. You spot stone-drop windows, firing slits, and angled walls designed to trap invaders. From the top floor, you get a sweeping view of Himeji city, more on that later.

Midway up
Midway up, with the keep floor area getting smaller as you climb up the wooden staircases.

You step into the main keep. It looks like five stories, but actually it hides seven levels with a basement. That odd count was intentional to confuse enemies. You appreciate the layered design and feel the weight of history. You start off on the basement going part heavy doors and short doorways fitting for hobbits, and first basement floor is vast and one used to host official meetings with the king.

Info graphic boards
Info graphic boards showing the various points of interest for each floor.

Inside are wide wooden halls with massive posts that support the floors. You notice firing holes and narrow windows built for archers. You glance upward at massive timber joinery and sense the craftsmanship. Each floor has an info board telling you what the floors where used for as well as key structural elements such as wooden pillars and engineering marvels. Also, you read that the castle survived Meiji-era neglect, World War II bombings, and the 1995 earthquake. Somehow it stayed intact.

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Lower floors
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Narrow staircases
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2nd last floor

Also, in your climb up the keep, you follow through up the remaining 6 floors one by one by climbing up narrow flights of wooden stairs at each go. Also, the presence of two flights of such steps serving each floor allows one flight of steps to serve upward climbing guest and the other partitioned as a one-way set of stairs. This arrangement is rather efficient as guests going up or down do not cross, creating an orderly linear flow for guests.

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Last staircase
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Top telescope
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Keep spires

View from the top of Himeji castle

Shirotopia Memorial Park
Overview of Shirotopia Memorial Park view from the top of the castle keep.

The climax of your climb is the top floor for a sweeping view. However,, I found The top floor is tad anticlimactic if you are expecting vast panoramic views. Also, there is no large balcony clearing like what we experienced at Osaka castle namely as all the open spaces and windows encloses the top floor.

Top floor views
Top floor views from the keep’s top floor.

Notably, some parts of the view are blocked by the jeep’s roof tiled features too. But it does not distract from the overall experience. Also, here at the top floor sits a Buddhist shrine which most visitors up here will offer prayers.

Himeji castle top shrine
Himeji castle top floor space and shrine.

Still, peeking out of the windows, you can catch views overlooking Himeji city. Down south, you see Himeji town spread out, the long road you took from the Himeji railway station.

South view of Himeji city
South view of Himeji city and train station.

Also, on the north side of the keep, you can find a large built up town and residential area, as well as spot rolling hills up north inland sea in the far distance.

View up north of the keep
View up north of the keep.
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Top floor shrine
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Rolling hills
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Narrow stairs down

Keep battlements

As you descend, you feel the tight corridors and sense how the design would slow and confuse any invaders back in the day. Also, do spend time to check out the various walls and details on your way down as you only through this area once.

keep battlements
The keep also serves as battlements for weapon storage. Located at the back walls of the keep.

Additionally, if you are sharp, you could notice the walls on the lower keep floor decorated with battlement weapons, such as guns and spears. They are hard to spot and are quite camouflaged with the wooden walls.

Guns armory
Guns in the keep battlements armory.
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Swords and spears
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Castle connecting galleries
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Ending mini museum

Moreover, there is a small museum located at the castle connecting galleries at the exit of the keep which talks about the building and structural elements. The white plaster coating isn’t just pretty. Also, it fights fire, and dampness death by bullets, it is smart and elegant. in 2010 it underwent big restoration.

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Historical model
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Himeji Castle keep
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Castle outer moat

Putting your shoes back on, you exit back outdoors into a large open clearing in front of the castle at the end of the main castle tour exploration allowing for an unobstructed view of the castle and panoramic view city view behind you.

Castle keep overview
Castle keep overview towards your exit of the keep. It provides for great photo opportunities.

The view here allows you to observe Himeji Castle up close with a real sense of calm. The castle stands tall in crisp white plaster. Also, it looks a bit like a white heron just about to take flight. That nickname, White Heron Castle, really fits.

Wrapping up

This place is compact yet grand. What is amazing is the level of access you can have exploring the keep. It reflects Himeji more laid-back and chill culture as compared to busier tourist-heavy sites like those we visited at Kyoto city.

When you are done exploring Himeji Castle, you have the option to explore and relax in Kōko-en Garden’s nine distinct mini-landscape gardens. Kōko-en Garden, opened in 1992 to mark Himeji’s 100th anniversary as a city. It comprises of nine enclosed gardens that sits on the old site of samurai houses and stretches across 3.5 hectares. There are koi ponds, waterfalls, tea houses, and raked gravel. Each section has a different mood. Together, the castle and garden show two sides of Japan defence and elegance, power and calm. It houses koi ponds, waterfalls, raked gravel sections and tea houses. You can explore our adventures at Kōko-en Garden in a separate post here.

All in all, that wraps up our detailed exploration Himeji Castle. You are good here for about 2- hours of slow exploration, making it great for a half day trip to Himeji and the nearing cities such as the nearby Kobe city too. The castle allows you to appreciate the craft of white plaster, timber construction, and tiled roofs, with centuries of history, survival, restoration, peace and survival. That is Himeji Castle for you, real, with just a tad of magic.

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