Inside Himeji Castle: Traditional Japanese Architecture
Among the multitude of attractions in Himeji, our attention was drawn to the illustrious Himeji Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site that embodies Japan’s historical grandeur. The ethereal white facade, intricate labyrinthine pathways, and meticulously preserved traditional architectural marvels inside Himeji Castle, it stands as an enticing destination well worth the time and investment.
In our Japan holiday tour, we embarked on an 18-day journey through the most popular places in Japan. It was on the eighth day of our itinerary that we encountered Himeji Castle. Instantly captivated by its allure, I knew adding it was a decision well made. While it’s not quite fair to compare Osaka Castle and Himeji Castle, the contrast inevitably arises, leading to one resounding conclusion: Himeji Castle embodies an unparalleled authenticity of ancient Japanese castle architecture.
Is it worth visiting Himeji Castle?
If you are in a dilemma thinking, is it worth visiting Himeji Castle, here is a quick checklist:
- What is the largest Japanese castle?
- Which is the most beautiful castle in Japan?
- What is the White Castle in Japan?
- What is the most authentic castle in Japan?
- Name one haunted castle in Japan.
The one answer to all these questions is HIMEJI CASTLE. That seals it!
White Heron Castle Japan
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Himeji Castle History
Let us take a quick walk-through time chart to outline the history of Himeji Castle Japan.
Early Origins: Himeji Castle’s roots trace back to its initial construction in the 14th century. Originally established as a fortification in 1333, it gradually evolved over the centuries, undergoing expansions and enhancements under different ruling clans. Its strategic location between Osaka and Kyoto granted it immense importance in Japan’s historical conflicts and power struggles.
Transformation Through Time: Under the rule of the powerful feudal lord Toyotomi Hideyoshi in the late 16th century, Himeji Castle underwent significant renovations, transforming it into the splendid fortress that stands today. The iconic multi-tiered structure, intricate defensive systems, and ingenious architectural elements were added during this period.
Strategic Significance: In its heydays Himeji Castle served not only as a military stronghold but also as a symbol of power and authority for various feudal lords who controlled the region. Despite facing multiple challenges, including wars, earthquakes, and fires, Himeji Castle remarkably survived the ravages of time with minimal damage.
Old wooden staircase inside main keep
For detailed insights into the history and architecture of Himeji Castle I highly recommend joining
- Himeji: Private Customized Tour with Licensed Guide.
- Himeji Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Explore the best of Himeji with a private guide on a 4 or 6-hour tour. Enjoy the full freedom and flexibility of customizing your own itinerary.
Trek To Himeji Castle Keep
Himeji castle is atop Himeyama hill. There is an uphill climb, hence I prefer to call it as a trek. After you purchase the tickets to the Hakuro-jō, don’t be in a hurry to get to the castle door. I intended to do that but glad I took my time. The path from the gate to the castle door is not just a physical journey; it’s a deliberate passage that is marked with castle’s defensive strategies setting the stage for a captivating exploration of Himeji Castle interior.
The first imposing gate is known as the Otemon Gate. It is a part of cultural treasures of Japan. As we crossed over, we were greeted by the sight of massive walls and fortified structures. The gate, flanked by sturdy walls and watchtowers, set the tone for the fortress ahead.
Hishi (Water Chestnut Gate) in Himeji Castle Japan
Ni-no-mon Gate, the second gate, served as an additional layer of defense. Passing through this gate, we saw the carefully designed layout that meant to confuse and deter potential attackers, with winding paths and hidden corners. The gates of the keep are splendid examples of castle architecture. On top of the gates there are watch towers which also function as castle defenses. Samurai on guard can look down on those approaching the castle and defend the castle from above.
Tile with Cross – One of the tiles on the gable of the gatehouse is decorated with a cross. It is believed to be connected with Kuroda Kanbei, a Christian warlord.
Tile marked with a cross
We then crossed the Bailey inside. It is a spacious courtyard surrounded by defensive walls. The courtyard offers a sense of openness while showcasing the sheer size and strategic layout of the castle complex.
Moving deeper into the complex, the path meanders through a series of defensive corridors and pathways designed to disorient intruders. These narrow and twisting routes, known as musha-kakushi or warrior-hiding, were ingeniously constructed to impede progress and create strategic advantages for defenders.
Folding Fan Wall – The gentle steep curve on the wall looks like the curve of a folding fan, hence the Japanese name – ogi no kobai meaning folding fan slope. The shape makes it both resistant to earthquakes and difficult to climb.
Folding Fan Wall
The path gradually ascends, leading to the central keep, or tenshu, which stands as the pinnacle of the castle’s defensive architecture. As we climbed higher, gorgeous views stretched out offering glimpses of the surrounding landscape and reinforcing the castle’s strategic vantage point.
What to see Inside Himeji Castle
Once inside Himeji Castle do watch out and take time to appreciate the traditional Japanese architectural features. You have to remove your shoes and carry them in a plastic packet given by the authorities there.
Wooden framework: The first thing that struck me was the intricate wooden framework that seemed to breathe life into the structure. Those were all beams made from cypress and pine trees. The meticulous craftsmanship that went into every beam and joint was awe-inspiring to see. The joinery—without nails or metal fastenings—holding the structure together, a testament to the skill of the builders and their meticulous craftsmanship.
Wooden architectural details inside Himeji Castle
Tatami Mat Floors: The rooms inside Himeji Castle are adorned with tatami mats, woven from soft rush straw, creating a distinctively Japanese ambiance. These mats, meticulously arranged across the floors, not only contribute to the aesthetic appeal but also serve as a traditional flooring material that offers comfort and insulation.
Sliding Fusuma Doors: Fusuma are elaborately decorated sliding doors, separating spaces while showcasing intricate paintings or delicate patterns. These doors are not merely partitions; they are a canvas reflecting Japan’s artistic heritage that grace the interior, often depicting scenes from nature, folklore, or historical tales.
Engawa: The castle features engawa, narrow wooden corridors or verandas that surround the inner chambers. These corridors not only provide circulation but also offer stunning views of the castle grounds, inviting contemplation and appreciation of the surrounding landscape.
Long corridors with windows on one side and informative display bords on the other.
Hidden Compartments and Alcoves: Some rooms may feature hidden compartments or alcoves cleverly integrated into the architecture. These spaces, known as “tokonoma,” serve as display alcoves for art, calligraphy, or decorative items, adding depth and character to the rooms.
Central Keep: Crossing the above, all the while admiring the unique features during Himeji Castle tour, we reached the heart of the castle. The central keep (tenshu) is a multi-tiered structure with steep stairs leading to upper floors. The tenshu’s design not only served as a defensive stronghold but also showcased the architectural prowess of the era.
Highlights in the White Heron Castle Complex
Himeji Castle is spread over a large area and a long winding path takes you the central keep. Here is a list of main sights to be photographed which add value to the castle’s significant past.
Hishi (Water Chestnut Gate) – The castle’s main entrance aligned with massive stone wall on one side and a gurad room at the other. There is an image of water chestnut over the entrance, hence the name.
Sangoku Moat – A large square pond that served as Himeji Castle’s water reservoir.
Stone walls east of Hishi Gate – The elegant curve of this wall allows it to take the pressure from large volume of water in the reservoir behind it.
Jujimon Gawara Tile marked with a cross – some believe it is connected to Kuroda Kanbei (1546-1604), a Christian warlord who had a fortress at Himeji.
Abura-Kabe Wall – Built from layers of harden clay and sand, this extremely thick and solid earthern wall is strong enough to stop bullets.
Bizen Gate – Note the stone slab next to this gate. This stone is actually a coffin that was dug up and repurposed by the castle builders. Such stones were taken from all over to build massive walls of the castle and can be seen scattered throughout the castle grounds.
Highlights of White Heron Keep
Each floor of this Himeji castle turned museum has interesting architectural features.
Basement – The basement level inside Himeji Castle has a sink and toilets of medieval era. Water from the sink drained towards centre of the Keep into courtyard. There are two toilets in basement which probably were never used as the as the castle never came under siege.
Floor 1 – This floor has weapon racks, where guns and spears were kept. Observe the decorative nail covers. They are flower shaped; hard to imagine they conceal the nail heads. There are stone dropping holes in the floor that protrude over the battlements below. Defenders could fire downwards on intruders below through these openings.
Floor 2 – The Gable room on this floor is a cozy space with a low ceiling, featuring a solitary window that offers a view of the gallery roof. I settled by the window for a while captivated by the rhythmic ebb and flow of life below. It’s easy to imagine this as a vantage point, strategically positioned to keep a watchful eye on any potential intruders or activity unfolding beneath the castle’s walls.
Gable room inside Himeji Castle
Floor 3 – This level houses the Ambush room and storage rooms. As the hollow wooden chambers echo with the lively footsteps of modern-day tourists, it’s almost impossible to envision the solemn setting of vigilant samurais in their armor, standing watch for potential invaders. The thought lingers: what if, for just a moment, someone was to step out from the past, bridging the centuries between then and now?
Floor 4 – Platforms along the walls of this floor served as perches for gunners. Small windows near the ceiling vented smoke from the matchlock guns to improve visibility during siege. We saw the platforms along the high windows from where the defenders would keep a watch and fire on attackers.
Floor 5 – The central columns that run from basement to fifth floor are visible here. Do observe these architectural details. The round east column was made from single 25 m long tree trunk while the west square column was made from two lengths of wood expertly joined together. However, with time the east column had gone weak and need reinforcement.
Floor 6 – Osakabe Shrine – Himeji castle was built on site of Shinto shrine. Believing the removal of the shrine had brought a curse on his family the shrine was rebuilt inside the castle. After World War II it was relocated to the top floor of the keep.
Osakabe Shrine in 6th Floor
View from 6th Floor
Why is Himeji Castle called the white heron castle?
Himeji Castle is often referred to as the “White Heron Castle” due to its striking white appearance, unique architectural design, and the resemblance of its elegant, multi-tiered structure to a graceful heron in flight.
Himeji Castle’s distinctive white appearance dates back to its original construction in the 14th century. The castle’s brilliant white plaster walls, designed not only for aesthetic purposes but also to protect the wooden structure from fire and the elements, give it a pristine and ethereal appearance. This pure white hue, especially when illuminated by sunlight, creates a stunning visual contrast against the surrounding landscape.
Is Himeji Castle haunted?
A question that can haunt your mind when you are visiting Himeji Castle!
After viewing the Castle Keep on the way out through Hishi Gate (Hishi no Mon) you will reach the Chrysanthemum Well (Okiku Ido). In the 17th century it was a source of water for the castle, but it is also the scene of a terrible ghost story. A ghost of a maid at the castle who was wrongly punished for theft is believed to appear once in a while.
Okiku Ido (Okiku well)
Ghost Story of Himeji Castle: Okiku was a servant that was falsely accused of losing one of the ten valuable plates of her lord’s family. The Samurai master she worked for was angry at her for rejecting him and he hid away the plates to trick her into becoming his lover. She refused again, even if he said he would overlook her mistake of losing one of his valuable plates. Enraged, he threw her down a well where she died. In some versions, she threw herself down the well to escape the torment from her master.
It is said she became an onryō, a vengeful spirit, back for revenge of those who wronged her. Well, till you see one for yourself don’t believe it. I didn’t see any, just like I didn’t see in Brij Raj Bhavan in Kota Rajasthan.
Okiku Ido (Okiku well) Himeji
White Heron Castle Statistics and Data
National Treasures: 8 buildings – the main keep, 3 small keeps and galleries
Important cultural buildings: 74 buildings – 27 towers, 15 gates and 32 walls.
Height of main keep: Hime Yama Hill-45.6m, stone wall of main keep-14.8m, the main keep-31.5m
Number of gates: 21
Number of wells: 11
Number of firing holes: 997 – 844 for guns and 153 for bows.
How to reach Himeji Castle
Himeji Castle is conveniently located in Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, and is easily accessible by various modes of transportation. We arrived in Japan at Narita airport. From Tokyo we took train to Himeji, halted in a hotel in Himeji for a night. Himeji castle was the first place we visited in the morning the next day, hoping to find less crowds. We took bus from Himeji station and got dropped off closer to Himeji Castle. You can have a look at the various options below:
By Train: From Tokyo or Kyoto: Take the Shinkansen (bullet train) to Himeji Station. The travel time from Tokyo is approximately 3 hours, while from Kyoto, it’s around 1 hour.
From Osaka: Travelers can take the JR Special Rapid Service train from Osaka Station to Himeji Station. The journey takes about 1 hour.
By Foot: Once you arrive at Himeji Station, the castle is within walking distance. It’s about a 15 to 20-minute walk from the station to the castle grounds. Follow the signs or use a map app for guidance.
By Bus: There are also local bus services available from Himeji Station that can take you closer to the castle if you prefer not to walk the entire distance.
By Car: If you’re driving, there are parking facilities near the castle. However, during peak times, parking spots might fill up quickly.
Practical Information about Himeji Castle
Timings: Winters – 9 AM to 5 PM, Summers – 9 AM to 6 PM. (last admission 1 hour prior to closing time). Closed on Dec 29th and 30th.
Tickets: Adults: 1000 Y, children above 6 years: 300 Y.
Address: 68 Honmachi, Himeji, Hyogo 670-0012, Japan
Google coordinates: 34.84466952937364, 134.68770097890442
Boating in moat around Himeji Castle
Frequently Asked Questions about Himeji Castle
Here’s a set of FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) that could be useful for visitors interested in Himeji Castle:
What is Himeji Castle famous for?
Himeji Castle is renowned for its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and its exceptional, well-preserved architecture, often referred to as the “White Heron” due to its stunning white appearance.
When was Himeji Castle built?
The initial construction of Himeji Castle began in 1333, and subsequent expansions and renovations continued over several centuries.
What should I expect to see inside Himeji Castle?
Inside the castle, visitors can explore the multi-tiered structure, defensive features, traditional rooms with tatami mats, historical artifacts, and captivating views from the top floors.
Can I take photographs inside the castle?
Photography is usually allowed inside the castle, I did not face any restrictions.
Is there parking available near Himeji Castle?
Yes, there are parking facilities nearby for visitors arriving by car. However, during peak times, parking spaces might fill up quickly.
What else is there to do near Himeji Castle?
Surrounding the castle are beautiful gardens, museums, and historic sites like Kokoen Garden and Engyo-ji Temple, offering visitors additional attractions to explore in the vicinity.
Pin this travel blog on what to see inside Himeji Castle for later
Interested in more Japanese Castles? Check these:
Travel Guide to Okayama Castle
Indrani Ghose is an Indian Travel Writer and Blogger based in Bangalore, India. She has written for numerous publications across the globe – including Lonely Planet, The National UAE, Whetstone Asia, Deccan Herald. You can follow her on her social media handles Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook to see the wonderful destinations, beautiful offbeat places and get instant updates about them.
