Himeji Castle also is known as White Heron castle and its complex was completed in 1609 consists of over 80 buildings. You can find the Himeji Castle in the city of Himeji, Japan, it will be impossible not to spot the 46.4-meter tall beauty. It is considered one of the most beautiful castles in Japan because of its stunning white exterior and unique design. This castle has survived wars, earthquakes, fires and to this day it stands proud after undergoing renovation in 2015. The castle and its complex are fully open to visitors.
Where is Himeji Castle
Himeji castle is located in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. The city of Himeji is surrounded by mountains and the sea and currently, it is home to half a million people. Himeji is mostly known for the Himeji Castle which is one of the UNESCO world heritage sites. Himeji is the largest city after Kobe and it is only an hour away from Osaka and Kyoto. Himeji was established in 1889 and it has a long and interesting history behind it.
The Himeji castle has survived many natural disasters as well as war from the day it was built in 1333, it has undergone numerous reconstructions and visitors. Still to this day you are able to visit Himeji and the stunning Himeji castle and complex.
Himeji castle address – 68 Honmachi, Himeji, Hyogo 670-0012, Japan.
Himeji Castle history
Himeji castle construction dates back to 1333 at the Himeyama hill when Japanese Samurai Akamatsu Noriuma built a fort. In 1346 the fort was reconstructed into a castle. The castle was remodeled numerous times after it was built. In 1581 it was remodeled by the Japanese politician Toyotomi Hideyoshi, in 1609 by the lord Ikeda Terumasa and in 1618 by the lord Honda Tadamasa. During the second world war, the castle was used as a military camp. The Castle has survived the battle of Sekigahara, and Ikeda, II World War and the Great Hanshin Earthquake. Much later in 1993 Himeji Castle was one of the first sites that were added to the UNESCO World Heritage sites. In 2015 Himeji Castle went through an extensive reconstruction for preservation, cleaning, and restoration purposes.
Defensive features of the castle
The Himeji Castle is famous around the world not only because of the stunning design but also for its advanced defensive systems. Loopholes, angled chutes, moats, and the complex maze allowed this castle to survive many battles and wars. The little defense loopholes you can see around the castle walls are shaped in triangles, circles, and rectangles, these little holes allowed the castle defenders to use their weapons without putting themselves in danger. In addition to the loopholes, you can find the chutes which are little angled openings in the walls that were used to throw hot oil or stones on their attackers. One of the most important defense mechanisms were the moats, the complex had three moats which were almost 3 meters deep, one of the moats can be found inside the castle it was used for fire prevention.
How to get there?
Himeji city and the Himeji Castle is only one hour away from Kyoto and Osaka. If you are traveling from Tokyo we recommend purchasing the JR Pass and getting on the Shinkansen train, it will take you there directly in 3, 5 hours for about 130 Euros. You can also get on the local train, but it will take you almost 10 hours to reach Himeji although the fee will be only 70 Euros. The bus to Himeji from Tokyo will cost you the same as the local train with almost the same travel duration.
Once you reach the Himeji Station it will only take you 15 minutes to walk to the Himeji Castle and the main street will lead you right to it.
The Himeji city also runs a local Shinki bus if you wish to get around the city faster as well as reach other places of interest.
