Visiting Himeji Castle in Hyogo

Contents show

There are lots of amazing attractions in Japan, but Himeji Castle is certainly one of the best. It’s situated in Himeji, which is a city in western Hyogo Prefecture, and it’s a true sight to behold.

Not only does it look incredible, but it holds a very special place in the hearts of locals and tourists. Below, we’ll reveal everything you need to know about it.

One of the country’s 12 remaining original castles

Himeji Castle is significant because it is one of the 12 remaining original castles in the country. It has avoided the devastation of war, fire, and earthquakes!

With meticulous architectural craftsmanship and a rich history, the castle is appreciated by many. This includes those with a passion for design, history buffs, and tourists who simply want to know more about Japan.

The appearance of Himeji Castle

Himeji Castle is located on a hilltop in Himeji City. It spans more than 107 hectares, with over 80 buildings. It’s also 17 stories high, or almost 50m tall.

There are a number of fascinating elements. For example, ‘Ishi otoshi mado’ are embedded into the castle’s slanted walls. These are angled chutes that were used to throw boiling liquid or stones on invades.

Hundreds of tatami mats line the first floor. The walls are covered in weapons racks, with spears and firearms on display today.

Background information

Himeji Castle was built in 1333. It is known as White Heron Castle colloquially because of the immaculate white walls, as you can see in the image!

Since the castle was first constructed, it has been rebuilt and revamped numerous times, as you can imagine! However, the last major overhaul happened in 1609, resulting in the Himeji Castle we all know and love today.

Not only is Himeji Castle adored by the locals, but it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s considered the finest remaining example of Japanese castle architecture from the early 17th century.

There have been a number of close calls, but White Heron Castle remains standing

It’s a mixture of architecture and circumstance that has meant Himeji Castle has escaped the wrath of natural disasters and the chaos of revolution.

For example, the castle survived the 1995 Great Hanshin earthquake and the firebombing of WW2.

Furthermore, back in the Meiji Period (1868 – 1912), imperial ideology and nationalism replaced the Tokugawa shogunate. This meant that physical reminders of the country’s feudal past, symbols of the feudal lords, and castles were systematically demolished. However, Himeji Castle was spared because a local resident decided to buy it during a government auction for the purpose of developing the land on which the castle stood.

However, the resident found that demolishing the castle would be very expensive. As a consequence, Himeji Castle remained untouched, which is a big relief to those in Japan today.

Image source

How do you get to the castle?

JR Himeji Station is the nearest train station. It’s approximately a 15-minute walk from the station to the famous white castle.

If you’re staying in Tokyo, head to Tokyo Station, and take the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen, which should take around three hours.

Should you be staying in Osaka, head to Osaka Station, and take the R Tokaido-Sanyo Line, which should take around one hour.

If you’re staying in Kyoto, head to Kyoto Station, and take the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen, which should take around 45 minutes.

Purchasing a ticket

Please note that prices are subject to change all the time. However, at the time of writing, it costs ¥300 for students (elementary, junior high, and senior high school) and ¥1,000 for adults.

You can purchase a combined ticket for Kokoen Garden and Himeji Castle for ¥360 for students and ¥1,050 for adults.

Both international and domestic visitors love coming to Himeji Castle, so you should expect it to be relatively busy, especially during Golden Week and cherry blossom season. Because of this, we always recommend booking your tickets in advance, so you’re not disappointed.

Different viewpoints to take in Himeji Castle

As the castle takes over the skyline in Himeji City, there are many different spots where you can view it. Three of the best are as follows:

Hyogo Prefecture Museum of History – The Hyogo Prefecture Museum of History was designed by Kenzo Tange, a renowned architect. It is positioned so that visitors can enjoy the most beautiful vision of Himeji Castle reflected on the glass panels.
Himeji Gokoku Shrine – While exploring the castle grounds, you’ll discover this picturesque spot on your way to Himeji Zoo and Himeji Gokoku Shrine. You’ll come across the quaint vermillion bridge, which contrasts perfectly with Himeji Castle’s white appearance.
Otemae Street – Finally, Otemae Street is a long promenade, consisting of one kilometer, which connects the castle grounds with Himeji Station. This is a 20-minute stroll that enables you to observe the lively area too!