Himeji - November 2009

Himeji is home of one of Japan's best preserved castles. It's known as the White Herring Castle. Construction of the castle, in its current form, began in 1601 under Ikeda Terumasa. It is Japan's most visited castle. From Kyoto, it's roughly a one hour ride by the fastest (most expensive) bullet train. Be warned that if you're planning to visit, they're planning to repair the plaster walls on the outside of the main keep starting in April 2010. The walls will be hidden by scaffolding and they expect the repairs to take a few years.

These are replicas of the gargoyles on top of the castle keep. These are found on the short walk from the train station to the castle. The castle is very easy to find. Just take the Himeji Castle exit from the train station and walk straight to the castle.
himeji japan
The outer moat of Himeji Castle.
himeji japan castle
This is the bridge crossing the outer moat. You can see the castle keep in the distance.
himeji japan castle
himeji japan castle
himeji japan castle
himeji japan castle
himeji japan castle
himeji japan castle
himeji japan castle
This is a little window in the wall for shooting arrows or dropping other nasty things on the enemy.
himeji japan castle
Inside the walls and getting closer to the main keep.
himeji japan castle
himeji japan castle
This is part of the West Bailey Building. The Princess Senhime lived in this building. Visitors must remove their shoes inside. A plastic bag is supplied to carry your shoes. Sandals are also provided.
himeji japan castle
This is another view of the corridor in the West Bailey Building.
himeji japan castle
The gray skies we had become so accustomed to on this vacation suddenly turned blue. In the sun, we didn't even need to wear jackets and this was the day before Thanksgiving!
himeji japan castle
A mock-up of Princess Senhime playing a game.
himeji japan castle
himeji japan castle
himeji japan castle
himeji japan castle
himeji japan castle
These steps lead up toward the keep.
himeji japan castle
himeji japan castle
himeji japan castle
himeji japan castle
Perhaps this view of the castle is where it gets its nickname of the white heron from. It's supposed to resemble a white heron about to take flight.
himeji japan castle
himeji japan castle
himeji japan castle
himeji japan castle
This is just outside the main keep.
himeji japan castle
himeji japan castle
himeji japan castle
Inside the main keep. Shoes must be removed again.
himeji japan castle
This is one of the real gargoyles on the roof of the main keep.
himeji japan castle
This is the Osakabe Shinto Shrine located on the top floor of the keep. Originally, the shrine was on top of the hill where the castle now stands.
himeji japan castle
This is a model of all the supporting beams inside the keep.
himeji japan castle
himeji japan castle
himeji japan castle
In this courtyard, samurai would commit seppuku. There is a well near the tree that may have been used to clean up the blood from ritual suicides.
himeji japan castle
himeji japan castle
These stones are known as the Garden of the Main Tower. These stones are some of the original foundation stones of the main keep. They are laid out in the same manner that they were found beneath the keep. In 1956, extensive renovation and repair began. The entire keep's foundation was shored up with concrete because the ground was actually sinking from the weight of the castle. The keep was rebuilt using traditional building techniques.
himeji japan castle
himeji japan castle
himeji japan castle
Walking towards Koko-en Garden. This garden is located a short walk west of Himeji Castle.
himeji japan
himeji japan
Interesting tripod like ladders.
himeji japan
himeji japan
Almost to the Koko-en Garden.
himeji japan
This is the entrance to Koko-en Garden. It actually consists of nine gardens. The Koko-en Garden was built in 1992 where the samurai used to live.

If you plan to visit both the gardens and the castle, you can buy a combination ticket to save some yen.
himeji japan kokoen garden

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Himeji - November 2009