Exploring Himeji Castle: Japan’s graceful White Heron
Himeji Castle, which is known as Japan’s White Heron, unfurls over its hilltop perch like a graceful bird about to take flight. The castle is one of the most iconic in all of Japan, renowned for its elegant, historic architecture and luminous white exterior. When you join us on one of our Japan tours, you can visit the castle to explore its serene wooden halls and winding paths, well-trodden by centuries of feudal lords, samurai, and scholars. As you wander over its enduring grounds, you’ll be immersed in the timeless spirit and heritage of Japan. Read on for our favorite facts about Himeji Castle, what to know before you go, and more.
What is Himeji Castle known for?
Himeji Castle, or Himeji-jo, is also known as the White Heron Castle for its brilliant white plaster facade. The castle is perched atop a high hilltop where it has sat for hundreds of years. The original fortress dates back to 1346 A.D., but it underwent significant renovations in the early 1600s to become the luminous, snow-white beauty we see today.
Himeji Castle is almost entirely constructed from wood and is Japan’s largest and best-preserved feudal castle. It’s made up of over 80 buildings connected by a series of winding paths and has three multi-tiered towers, the largest of which is the pagoda-like main keep. Himeji Castle was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1993 for the beauty and historical significance of its architecture.
Inside the Otemon Gate, Himeji Castle’s main gate, lies a large, tree-lined yard that’s a popular spot for viewing cherry blossoms, which is one of the top things to do in Japan. Join us on our Japan: Kyoto, the Japanese Alps & Tokyo tour in the early spring, or visit Himeji on your free day in Kyoto during our Cherry Blossoms in Japan: Tokyo to Kyoto tour, to see the more than 1,000 cherry trees in full bloom.
Where is Himeji Castle located?
Himeji Castle is the most famous landmark in Hyogo Prefecture, an industrial and cultural hub that lies between Kyoto and Okayama in western Japan. The castle overlooks the town of Himeji and sits near the southern coast of Hyogo, about an hour west of Kobe. It’s an ideal location for a day trip from either Kyoto or Kobe, and a visit is one of our top things to do in Japan. You can explore Himeji Castle on our Japan: Kyoto, the Japanese Alps & Tokyo tour or the A Day in Himeji excursion offered on the Kobe extension of our Japan for Solo Travelers: Tokyo, Mt. Fuji & Kyoto tour. “[I] really enjoyed stopping at the Himeji Castle, which was impressive, on the way to Kyoto,” said traveler Sandra after visiting Himeji on tour with us.
Interesting facts about Himeji Castle
Himeji Castle is a beautiful place to explore on a trip to Japan, but its long and storied history is what makes it so interesting. These are a few of our favorite facts about Himeji Castle.
- Himeji Castle is one of the few Japanese castles untouched by war or natural disasters. In fact, the White Heron even remained standing when the city of Himeji was bombed during World War II because a bomb that landed on the castle grounds failed to detonate. It’s also thought that the castle’s outer layers of plaster not only give it its iconic color, but also help to protect it from fire.
- The castle has many built-in defenses. Himeji’s maze-like passages were designed to disorient and delay intruders, making it difficult for them to reach the castle’s tallest tower and inner keep. When you visit Himeji Castle on one of our tours of Japan, you’ll notice traps, such as concealed spaces for hiding defenders and chutes from which rocks were dropped onto invading forces.
- There are a handful of legends surrounding Himeji Castle, the most famous of which is the story of Okiku and the Well. The legend states that a servant girl named Okiku was once falsely accused by her samurai master of breaking one of his ten valuable plates. As punishment, she was thrown into the castle well. According to the legend, her ghost appears in the castle to count the plates, reaching nine before wailing and starting over. Whether or not you believe the ghost story, you can visit Okiku’s Well when you tour Himeji Castle on a trip to Japan.
- It has been used as a filming location. You might recognize Himeji Castle from movies like the James Bond film You Only Live Twice. While it hasn’t been used as a filming location for the new Shōgun remake (yet!), it was used in the 1980 miniseries, which follows the same story.
What to know before you go
Here are a few things you may want to keep in mind when you visit Himeji Castle with us on a trip to Japan.
- There are no outdoor shoes allowed inside parts of Himeji Castle. The floor of the main keep is made of wood and can be easily damaged, so visitors are required to remove their shoes when entering. You will be provided with a shoe bag to store your shoes when you tour the castle. Keep in mind that the floors may be slippery, so you may want to bring a pair of thick socks with a good grip or indoor slippers (which are allowed) when you visit Himeji Castle on one of our Japan tours.
- The inside is very sparse. Japanese castles already tend to be much more minimal and militaristic than their European counterparts, and Himeji Castle is especially so. The interior is mostly unfurnished, which means you’ll have plenty of distraction-free opportunities to admire the meticulous woodwork and stunning views.
- The views are worth the climb. When you explore the main keep of Himeji Castle, you’ll notice that each floor you visit is narrower than the last due to the castle’s elegant, tiered pagoda shape. If you make the climb up to the sixth floor, you’ll be rewarded with sweeping panoramic view of the castle grounds and Himeji city. You’ll even have an opportunity to spot the rooftop fish sculptures that are said to protect the castle from fire.
- You should take your time while exploring the surrounding area. If you decide to visit Himeji Castle on your own during a free day on a trip to Kyoto or a tour of Kobe, set aside a few hours for the trip. That way, you’ll have ample time to explore the castle and its grounds and still leave time to check out some other local sites. You could easily spend an hour wandering through the nearby Kōko-en Garden alone. Read on for our favorite things to do around Himeji Castle.
Things to do around Himeji Castle
Himeji Castle might be the most iconic destination in Hyogo Prefecture, but there are countless fascinating things to do and places to explore in the area. Below are a few of our favorites.
- Stroll through Kōko-en. This enchanting garden, located just next to Himeji Castle, feels like stepping directly into Japan’s Edo period. In reality, it opened in 1992 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Himeji municipality. The garden is split into nine distinct, walled sections, each designed to reflect a style of the Edo period, which ran from 1603 to 1868. Kōko-en is designed to be stunning in all four seasons, and is delightful no matter what time of year you visit Japan.
- Ride the Mount Shosha Ropeway up to the Engyoji temple complex. When you join the A Day in Himeji excursion on the extension of our Japan for Solo Travelers: Tokyo, Mt. Fuji & Kyoto tour, you’ll stop at Mount Shosha on the edge of Himeji City. The country’s rich history and architecture are among the top reasons to visit Japan, and you’ll find both when you ride a cable car to the top of this mountain. Here, you’ll find the Engyoji temple complex, a collection of historic wooden buildings dating back more than 1,000 years. The temple’s traditional wooden architecture and peaceful, remote setting have made it a popular filming location, most notably for 2003’s The Last Samurai.
- Taste the local specialties. Nearby Kobe may be known for its legendary beef (tasting it is one of the best things to do in Kobe), but Himeji is known for its sweets. Local artisans have been making expertly crafted confections since the end of the Edo period when they were encouraged to do so by their tea-loving feudal lord. Confectionery became a major industry in Himeji, and to this day, the area is renowned for its high-quality sweets like fried dough, parfaits, and Tama Tsubaki, a yellow azuki bean bun meant to resemble a camellia flower. In addition to confections, Himeji is home to more than half a dozen sake breweries, each creating its own unique spin on Japan’s signature drink.
Step into history at Himeji Castle when you join one of our Japan tours!
)
