Himeji Castle



The Drive


The three and a half hour drive from Nagoya took us through the mountains and included some blustery snow storms. As we left on Friday, the freeway was full of trucks. Still the trip was uneventful and the weather cleared up before we got to the castle.

Himeji Jo (Castle)


Himeji Jo is the most famous castle in Japan. Many of Japans castles were destroyed by the government in the Meiji era, others were used as army barracks during WW2 and were destroyed. Himeji was one of the few that has survived and is quite stunning.


I have looked back at many of our photos and very few contain photos of us. So just to prove that we were there, we both posed in front of the castle.


Yes I need a haircut....just take the photo.


Very photogenic. I should be in all the shots.


The castle is famous for a long spiraling walk up to the keep. Designed for defense, but gives you a range of interesting views on the way up.


The main entry gate. The wall in front has slits for pouring oil.


It can be a bit like any amazing structure. You can take many photos and they end up looking similar. But it was impressive and provided some great views.


Walking up toward the keep


Through a gate


Yes still going. We did get there in the end. But the walk itself was one of the highlights of the visit. each corner provided something different.


Low. Very low, I did not bump my head here, I did that the next day in Kobe when I whacked my head on the car door when I was getting into the car, then, I jerked my head to get away from the door and smacked the other side of my head into the rest of the car. Both sides of my head hurt...and somebody else (not naming names) could not stop laughing...anyway...here in Himeji.. I did NOT hit my head.


You can tell by the scale of the man walking through the gate that the scale is just incredible. This is even more amazing, as Japan was very poor in stone and finding enough to build a castle was always hard. Himeji's wall contain family grind stones and stone coffins that had been appropriated for it's construction.


Halfway up the castle and just before the main keep was a wide parade ground with broad views out over the city of Himeji jo.


One of my favorite photos due to the sky. this is also taken from the Parade ground.


Inside the castle. Shoes off, slippers on, put your own shoes in a provided plastic bag and the climbing begins. We have also been to some other Japanese castles and the inside of this one was quite spacious. Stairs were still the usual steepness.


View of the city from the top of the keep.


At the end of the climb back down we could put our shoes back on. This is the dropoff station for the slippers and the plastic bag.


Walking back down


Having me in the photo definitely improves it... do need that haircut though.


Walking down the castle and into another section of the grounds (the west bailey) gave more great views.


OK One final shot.

Himeji Jo Gardens


The ticket for the castle also gave us entry into the Japanese gardens next door to the castle grounds. Although it was winter and the gardens were not at their best, they were still worth a visit.


Lovely scenery


Pond was full of fat coy.


Trying to get a shot...you know, changing the angle stuff. Not funny at all


Turning around and what do I see.....sprung bad Pam.



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