Himeji Castle (White Heron Castle) - Feudal Architecture

View of Hameji Castle walking down Otemae Street towards bridge and castle

Himeji Station

Finding Himeji castle once you get off the train at Himeji stations is pretty simple.Take the North entrance/exit, you can see Himeji Castle when you step outside, it is hard to miss as you walk down the main street (Otemae Street). A shopping arcade is on the right with convenience stores, souvenir shops cafe’s etc., grab a bite to eat if you need anything; prices are reasonable. Do your souvenir shopping on the way back. Notice the street grates which are reflective of the White Heron Castle.

Himeji Castle symbol – street grates flying white heron

Otemon Gate -Himeji Castle

About a fifteen minute walk to Otemon Gate, then across the bridge over the castle moat and follow the roadway until you reach the stone walls and castle grounds. The roadway lined on either side with pink flowering cherry blossoms and parkland.

Roadway-lined on either side with pink flowering cherry blossoms and parkland.

The parkland either side of the roadway is where the Japanese enjoy celebrating ‘hanami‘ (which literally means ‘flower viewing’),when the cherry or sakuri blossoms are in full bloom, usually between March and May across the island of Japan. Hanami consists of having an outdoor party beneath the sakura blossoms during the day or in the evening. People set up their blue tarps beneath the cherry blossom trees. What a wonderful venue for celebrations below this magnificent castle

View from outside the walls Himeji castle

View from outside the walls of Himeji castle – feudal architecture

Himeji Castle sits in the center of Himeji city. Himeji Castle is also known as “White Heron” castle, outside walls covered in white plaster and upturned eaves said to make it look like flying birds. The use of white plaster is to re-enforce and fireproof the outside walls. The castle, made of wood, not stone, so fire prevention is crucial.

Elegant curves and upturned eaves Himeji castle

Undulating curves and upturned eaves Himeji castle architecture

Himeji Defense system

The Castle, built on the top of a hill called Himeyama is 45.6 meters above sea level. The main tower which is the center and symbol of Himeji castle is 46.4 meters high, and stands 93 meters above sea level. Himeji castle is not only famous for the huge main tower but also for the highly effective and complicated defensive design which has would be intruders traveling around the castle in a spiral pattern before they can reach Keep. This allows defenders to watch the enemy and fire upon them from the Keep as they approached the Castle. In the walls of the main complex there are openings for throwing stones and scalding water, as wells as holes to fire arrows and rifles from within, without being seen.

“Water Chestnut Gate” largest gate of the castle

Entry is through an impressive gate “Water Chestnut Gate”, the biggest gate in the Castle. Above the gate is a bell-shaped decoration “Kato-mado” usually attributed to Zen Buddhism. Once through the gate we commenced a gradual stepped climb to the castle keep; the bright sunshine casting shadows on the pathway from the gently curved walls.

Stepped climb to the castle gate Himeji castle

Narrow walled ramps control access to the castle, this is part of the defense mechanism. As you get closer to the castle proper, notice the high stone walls capped by flat white surfaces. Whatever angle you view this castle from one can’t help but be impressed by the elegance and beauty of the architecture, as well as the defensive system.

High stone walls capped by flat white surfaces and slat windows.

Almost at the entrance to the castle proper is an arrow warehouse which is built on top of the stone wall, slat windows allow for arrow to be fired through the slots. If you look at the roof gable before you enter you will notice the circle tiles of the family crests. There is also a stone block with embedded crested tiles of the lords who built the castle.

Roof gable with circle tiles of the family crest Himeji Castle

The Main Keep – architecture

The main keep appears to be five stories but is actually seven stories, including a basement. The two massive main pillars used in construction of the keep are nearly one meter across and the main supports. The timber used throughout the castle is impressive in size. Look for the huge timber beams above the windows, and the timber used in the main hallways. For attention to detail look at the ornamental nail covers used to cover the nail heads; so beautifully crafted.

Ornamental nail covers – Himeji castle (White Heron Castle)

Samurai Battle Dress-Himeji Castle (White Heron Castle) Himeji

Samurai Battle Dress-Himeji Castle Himeji City

Samurai battle dress and weaponry

On display on the first floor, a number of Samurai battle dress worn by the Samurai; weapon racks for holding ancient matchlocks (rifles), gun powder pouches, and spears. Another classical point of interest in the inner defense system is a very narrow set of stairs to get to the next level. It has a deceiving large low beam,the beam guaranteed to slow down the enemy and cause headaches when the enemy bumps into it the dark, as they creep up the stairs into the castle.

Samurai weaponry Himeji Castle (White Heron Castle)

Defensive system-Himeji Castle architecture

At the top of the main tower sits the Osakabe Shinto Shrine. Originally the shrine was built on top of the hill where the castle now stands. The shrine, after several moves is now relocated in the main tower above the original hill site.

Osakabe Shinto Shrine- Main tower -White Heron Castle Himeji City

Osakabe Shinto Shrine- Main tower -Himeji Castle

The West Bailey building is where Princess ‘Sen’ the eldest daughter of the second Shogun in the Tokugawa Government lived following her marriage to Tadatoki Honda, the son of Lord Tadamasa Honda. The couple spent many happy days in the west Bailey building. Life-like models of the couple can be seen in the rooms where they once lived. The Nishin-maru Bailey is a three hundred meter long building around the Lord’s mansion. Along the corridor are the maid’s rooms who served Princess Sen. This area and quarters of Princes Sen were locked at night and placed under guard.

Princess Sen and Consort Tadatoki Honda in West Bailey Himeji Castle

Life-like models of Princess Sen and Tadatoki Honda in West Bailey Himeji Castle

View from Main Tower across West Bailey- Himeji city

Place of ritual suicide

Looking down from the main tower you are able to see where ‘Harakiri’ or ‘Seppuku’ the Samurai’s ritual suicide took place. The stone block sitting in the middle of the courtyard was for the decapitation. Nearby is a well for washing a beheaded. Exiting the castle by an interior secret door to the outside, we came out into the sunlight opposite the long storehouse near the back of the main tower. The storehouse used for rice and salt storage for when the castle came under siege. The low roof-line of the building has a distinctive gentle curve, a feature of Himeji castle architecture.

View of execution yard from the main tower

View from main tower-execution yard and place of ‘Harakiri’ the Samurai’s ritual suicide

Himeji – wonderful architecture

This is the most amazing and picturesque castle, certainly worth the effort to see. In the plan of Himeji castle (White Heron castle) you can really see the brilliance of the architecture and defensive maze system around the castle. Himeji Castle is the most spectacular of Japan’s twelve remaining feudal castles. A must if you are a fan of the Shogun or Samurai Periods of Japanese history and architecture. It takes about one hour for the tour of the castle at a fairly leisurely pace, once you reach the grounds.

Last view of magnificent Himeji castle before we depart for Himeji station

Last view of the wonderful architecture of Himeji castle (white heron)

Himeji CastlePlan Himeji Castle Plan - Himeji City

Plan Himeji Castle – amazing architecture -Himeji City

We decided to do add another day to our trip and take a train tomorrow and pay our respects at Hiroshima….

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Himeji Castle (White Heron Castle) – Feudal Architecture