Himeji Castle Hyogo Japan

In 1992 Himeji Castle was recognised by UNESCO as a building of world significance and was added to the World Heritage list. Himeji Castle is an excellent example of traditional wooden architecture and its stone walls with their white plastered walls have been well maintained.  (Pictures can be enlarged by clicking on them.) History: In 1333 Norimura Akamatsu, the ruler of Harima District, built a fort where the Himeji Castle now stands. ln 1346 his son, Sadanori further expanded the fort. In the 16th century the fort was removed and a three story castle was built in its place by Hideyoshi Hasiba. This is the basic structure that is seen today. In 1601  Terumasa Ikeda started digging three moats around the castle building and completed the whole castle complex as it is in 1609. The outer moat is just north of where J.R. Himeji train station is today. After the Ikedas, Tadamasa Honda added some buildings in West Bailey. Main Tower with the smaller towers and corridors connecting these towers have been registered as national treasures. The Cosmetic Tower, 27 ‘yagura’, 15 gates, and 1,000 meter long earthen walls have been registered as important cultural treasures. A part of the middle moat, and the whole inner moat retained as they were In the feudal times. The area inside the middle moat has been registered as a special historical site. The Himeji Castle has never been involved in war or battle. It is difficult in the pictures to really project how steep and imposing the structure is. Here in the foreground you can see the shape and angle of the “fan curve” at the base of the wall. This shape provides significantly greater strength and stability to the base of the walls. You can think of them as half an inverted arch. Here already within the Castle structure is another moat to provide a further level of protection. Beyond the moat is another wall and then many more levels to reach Castle proper. It really is layer upon layer of defences. Without having to leave the Castle you were still able to have these beautiful gardens. This sort of resting place would have been very important in times when a castle was under attack. Himeji Castle is short walk from J.R. Himeji station. You can catch a train from Osaka (about an hour). You need to allow at least 90 minutes for this tour and it is quite physically taxing when you climb the tower. |