Himeji Castle

During the Kobe trip, I walked too much. I could hear my legs begging me to stop walking and take a one day rest. I tried to listen to them but it would be a shame if I wasted my holiday only to stay at home. Thankfully, my legs and I finally came to an agreement that we should spend our morning resting, then take the later train in the afternoon.



It was almost 11 when I went out from the apartment and took the train from Osaka. My destination was Himeji. It took me around one hour to reach Himeji by express train.


Located in Hyogo Prefecture is Himeji city. It was originally a castle town, so you can expect to see a castle there.


Himeji Castle was registered as the first Japanese world cultural heritage by UNESCO in December 1993, gaining the highest international reputation of all existing Japanese castles.


Two samurai were there to guard the castle from any intruders. Here we got two happy intruders captured by them.


You need to purchase a 600 yen Himeji Castle Ticket in order to enter the castle.


Himeji Castle has a history of 400 years. Due to the white exterior of the castle, it is also known as Hakurojo or Shirasagijo ("White Heron Castle").


Himeji Castle was originally called Himeyama Castle. It was built in 1346.


Spotted a tour guide there. He explained that inside the wall, there were lots of mummies buried inside.


I heard when they ran out of stone to build the castle, they ordered people to use any stone available (including the stone from graveyard). And before you ask, the sign in the above photo doesn't have anything to do with it. 消火栓 (shoukasen) means fire hydrant. ^^


The fellowship of the feet.


Inside of the castle. I don't have any photo inside the main Keep because there was practically nothing inside (except the large amount of tourists >_>). The structure was impressive though.


This is what waiting for you if you decide to go inside the main Keep.




The beautiful view from the top of the main Keep.


I was there an hour before. Or maybe it was two hours before. Time goes by fast if you have friends with you.


Kinshachi is the castle's gargoyle. It's a fish with a tiger head. It is used as a talisman for fire prevention.


It was already 5 PM when we went out from the main Keep.


One shot of the castle before we went home.


A photographer who took photo of a photographer who took photo of a photographer who took photo of a photographer who took photo of the castle. ^^


The sunset marked the end of my journey to Hyogo prefecture.


Thank you for coming reading. See you later !