Himeji Castle Tour - part 1
This past weekend we traveled to the southern part of Japan’s main island to see some famous sites. One of the most famous (and my favorite) was Himeji Castle.
Himeji castle was originally built in 1346, but has since underwent several expansions and modifications (the last major modification was in 1618). Quoting from Wikipedia: (click here for wikipedia)
Himeji Castle (姫路城, Himeji-jō?) is a flatland-mountain Japanese castle complex located in Himeji in Hyōgo Prefecture and comprising 83 wooden buildings. It is occasionally known as Hakurojō or Shirasagijō (”White Heron Castle”) because of its brilliant white exterior.
It was registered as the first Japanese National Cultural Treasure by UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Japanese National Cultural Treasure in December, 1993. Along with Matsumoto Castle and Kumamoto Castle, it is one of Japan’s “Three Famous Castles”, and is the most visited castle in Japan.
The castle was very impressive, and I feel it deserves a few posts to display the many different angles and interesting sights around the castle.
On the approach on the outer side of the primary moat.
One of the entry ways into the main castle ground (hard to explain since this castle has multiple courtyards, and multiple walls leaving a maze like design.
notice the little door used for letting small groups in and out of the castle.
view of the castle inside main castle ground
approaching more interior walls, after crossing through the second set of walls already. The white building on the left is a guard tower on the wall.
