Himeji Castle Himeji Castle

1. Japan’s Preserved Citadel

Himeji Castle, also known as the White Heron Castle, is a National Treasure of Japan and a World Cultural Heritage site. As one of the 12 remaining original castles of Japan, this fortress has become a must-visit for those interested in Japanese history.

2. Mode of transportation

Himeji Castle is 1 km from Otemaedori Street from the north exit of Himeji Station. You can reach the castle by walking 15 to 20 minutes or taking a 5-minute bus ride from the station.

3. 600 years of history

Himeji Castle dates back more than 600 years. Chosen as a strategic defensive point to the west of Kyoto, the first foundations were built in the 1400s. The present castle structure was completed in 1609 under the supervision of daimyo Lord Ikeda Terumasa and built made up of more than 80 buildings connected by maze-like zigzag passages.

4.

The Otemon Gate is the main entrance to Himeji Castle and allows access to the castle’s free entry area - the third outer wall area called San-no-maru. This part of the castle has a large grassy garden with lots of cherry trees and is famous as a camping spot to watch the flowers bloom in the spring.

5. Himeji Castle Garden

Kokoen is a Japanese garden next to Himeji Castle. It consists of nine separate walled gardens designed in various styles of the Edo period. The garden was opened in 1992 to celebrate the centenary of Himeji City .

6. Main watchtower

Through the Hishi Gate is the paid entrance of the castle. After purchasing a ticket (1,000 yen) from the ticket booth near the gate, visitors can enter the narrow passageways inside the castle and climb the six-story main watchtower on foot.

7. Cherry blossom

There are more than 1,000 cherry blossom trees in the castle grounds. You can view the flowers for free in the outer grounds, but you need to pay an extra fee if you want to see the flowers of the inner city grounds.

8. Recently restored building

After a five-year restoration project that began in 2010, Himeji Castle was fully reopened to the public on March 27, 2015.