Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993, Himeiji is located a short distance from Kyoto. In fact, less than an hour's ride by Shinkansen and I read somewhere that for holders of the JR Railpass, the ride is free. I am planning a half day trip to Himeji on one of the days that we're in Kyoto.
The castle is located just a short 15 minute walk from the JR Himeji Station.
Himeji Castle was originally built in 1346 by Akamatsu Sadanori as a fortification against local shoguns. In 1577, the emperor turned the fortress over to the warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi who converted the fortified building into a castle with over 30 turrets. In 1601, Ikeda Terumasa, a daimyo, was handed control of Himeji Castle as a gift for his support of Ieyasu Tokugawa in the Sekigahara battle. Terumasa undertook a nine year construction program to transform the castle, at the end of which Himeji Castle assumed its present day form. However, because the castle was built at the beginning of the peaceful Edo Period, it was never attacked, preserving its original form for subsequent generations of people to admire.Himeji Castle is a hill castle located on the Harima plain. The main castle complex, which consists of one main, 5-story tall donjon and three, 3-story tall secondary ones, is actually situated on two hills. A donjon is defined as the "main tower within the walls of a medieval castle or fortress."
The main donjon is 150 feet all and is located on one hill. The western donjon is located on the other hill.
The main complex is surround by three rings of outer compounds. The grounds have been designated as a Historic Site and the castle itself as a National Treasure.
In addition to the main complex there are several other buildings at Himeji Castle, which are serve as residences and storehouses. These buildings are enclosed by the the middle and outer moat, as well as stone walls. These buildings are also connected to one another by corridors and passages. The design of Himeji Castle is that of a spiral with the main complex located in the center, which the remaining buildings surround and protect.
Today, the castle is undergoing a massive, multi-year renovation program and there will be scaffolding up when we visit. Bad as that might sound, there will be an elevator constructed that will take visitors to the very top of the castle for a view of its surrounds. A rare opportunity as once the scaffolding is dismantled, the elevator will be removed and the bird's eye view no longer had.
The castle provides free tours in English; a service provided by an association of volunteer guides. Reservations are not accepted for this service so you have to ask for it when you buy your tickets.
