Himeji Castle

The extensive restorations were completed in 2015 and the final result is truly a wonder to behold. It is one of the only castles in Japan that has never been destroyed and rebuilt, although it is a miracle that it survived the bombing in 1945. Paying entry to the castle is highly recommended as you can climb up to the top story of the main keep for views across Himeji. The castle is built around two giant wooden posts 26m in height which you circle around as you climb up the various stair cases. The castle also has a myriad defensive structure including; stone drop windows, moats, 21 gates, sharp angled passage ways, arrow slits for archers and a warrior hiding room.

Himeji Castle is, in my opinion, the most beautiful castle in Japan and one of the few that has not been rebuilt. It is situated in Himeji, about 50Kms away from Kobe in Hyogo prefecture, in western Japan. It was constructed during the late Muromachi period (XV-XVII centuries). At that time it was called Himeyama Castle as it is built on the hill called Hime-yama and a plain surrounded by what was visible from all over the city (and today it is still visible from the main avenues of the same city). It is the biggest and most popular castle in Japan, a national symbol and it was designated as a World Heritage Site by Unesco in 1993.