Himeji Travel Report - My day trip to Himeji

Experience

Resident

Purpose of your visit

travel (sight seeing)

Impressions

Himeji castle is worth a visit. It is on top of a hill. It is considered the most beautiful of Japan. This castle is one of the few original ones: no concrete .. all wood and clay.

Details

From the railway station you can see the castle 1 km down the road. This makes for a very dramatic photo. The castle gate opens to a park, where you have a impressive view of the castle rock. The entrance fee to the castle is only ¥200. As you enter the garden, you can go in a covered corridor at the opposite corner, you will walk by defense outposts and ladies' chambers. Then you enter the castle through the main gate (take off your shoes). The castle has five floors and is supported by two main beams and thousands of smaller ones. There is a small museum display on the lower floors, but the main attraction of this castle is the sheer grandness of the wooden interior. Interesting facts: 8/33 of the original wells still have water. There are arrow openings for defense of the castle and they are like none that I have ever seen elsewhere - they are angled by wooden inserts to cover all approaches.

Advice

Can be crowded on the weekend .. go on a week day if you can. The climb up to the castle keep is steep but well worth it for the view.

Recommended for...

sight seeing photography

Tags

Japan Travel     Himeji     Himeji Castle     Japan