Himeji Castle (ŠªÂ·³Ç; Himeji-jo) is a Japanese castle located in Himeji in Hyogo Prefecture. It is one of the oldest surviving structures from medieval Japan, and has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Japanese National Cultural Treasure. Along with Matsumoto Castle and Kumamoto Castle, it is one of Japan's "Three Famous Castles", and is the most visited castle in Japan. It is occasionally known as Hakurojo or Shirasagijo ("White Heron Castle") because of its brilliant white exterior.
Himeji Castle frequently appears on Japanese television. In the west we have seen Richard Chamberlin running around in this castle as "Anjin-san" in the mini series "Shogun".
Himeji is located between Hiroshima and Kyoto
Well arrived at Himeji station.
This day was the only day with really bad weather. It rained all day. A 10 minute walk from Himeji station lies this beautiful castle.
A shrine just outside the Himeji castle grounds.
In 2002, Hollywood blockbuster movies as "Last Samurai" and James Bond movie "You Only Live Twice" was shot here in Himeji City. The world famous film director, Akira Kurosawa was fascinated with Himeji Castle and often visited and filmed scenes for his movies "Kagemusha" and "Ran" here. Popular domestic TV series also chose Himeji as a favorite destination. Abarenbou Shogun, Oo Oku and other memroable programs has come to Himeji Castle and national broadcaster, NHK's drama series Musashi has shot a scene or two in Himeji Castle. All the fans of the show know how picturesque the town of Himeji is. In "Shogun" all shots said to be of Osaka Castle are in real life of Himeji Castle.
It is a majestic looking castle.
First gate leading in to the castle grounds.
Second gate.
Inside the second gate holding area.
It is a very steep walk way up to the castle. The curve on the stone walls are called "Fan Curve" because they look like open fans.
Rain water running in the gutter. The third and final gate in sight.
Yagura houses. The word yagura comes from ya, meaning "arrow", and kura, which means "storehouse." As this would indicate, yagura were used to store arrows along with all other kinds of weapons, food, and supplies. Some yagura also housed samurais.
I finally made it up to the castle.
A old rice paper painting of samurais inside the castle.
A look down from the first floor of the castle.
One of two smaller towers beside the main tower.
Samurai swords.
Inside of a weapon storage room.
Samurai armour.
Nail covering. The castle is a wooden structure held together with nails.
Explanation of above picture.
Reached the top and fifth floor of the main tower.
Roof ornament.
Osakabe shinto shrine at the top of the main tower.
A view of Himeji City from Himeji castle.
On the way down from the top floor there are more weapon storage rooms.
Main hall on the bottom floor.
A model of the wooden structure of the castle.
Heavy wooden door inside the castle.
A view of the castle bailey from the main tower. The bailey is segmented using walls, yagura, and gates.
There used to be 84 gates at Himeji Castle. At present there are 21 gates left on the castle grounds, 13 of which are named in order of the Japanese syllabary. This is Chi gate.
I made it down in one piece fighting of the wet and slippery stone paths.
Traffic in front of Himeji station.
View of Himeji Castle from Himeji station.
Inside Himeji station this portable shrine was displayed.
Beautiful ornaments are carved into the ceilling of the shrine .
Dancing samurais?
Image of a samurai embroided on a cushin.
Samurai fighting tigers.
The portable shrine in Himeji are carried around the streets during the Nada no Kenka Matsuri Festival (Fighting Festival).
Kyoto
