Himeji Things to Do

HIMEJI ART & CRAFT MUSEUM
I really enjoyed seeing the display of 300 pottery buddhist images, the japanese portable shrine (mikoshi) that they use in festivals, the room full of folk toys, and the room of local himeji toys.
You can see paper mache masks, himeji tops, himeyama dolls, various wooden toys, calligraphy displays, paintings, pottery, and works done by local craftsman.
There is a video screen that shows how the craftsman make some of the works on display (it's in japanese but even if you don't understand the language you can still understand the making process).
There is also a hands-on craft studio and you can make your own masks, dolls, and tops to take home w/ you (for a fee)!
NOTE: museum is closed on Mondays. English brochure available.

White majestic looking castle, perched on a "hill-top", surrounded by a beautiful garden, looking over Himeji. In 1993, Himeji Castle was registered on UNESCO's World Heritage list, because it is a wooden castle structure of incomparable worth in the world and because the whole structure including towers, stone ramparts, and earthen walls are extremely well preserved.
The castle is built with wood, with white plaster on the outside. Plaster is known to be fireproof. Therefore it covers both walls and almost every outside structure from eaves to pillars.
The castle is built on the top of a hill called Himeyama, which is 45.6 meters above sea level. The main tower, which is the center and the symbol of the castle, is 46.4 meters high (you can climb to the top, 6 floors by stairs, to have a panaromic view of Himeji.
Himeji Castle is famous for not only this huge main tower but also the highly effective and complicated defensive design, which is just like a huge maze. However, the routes around the castle are clearly marked. A map of the castle compound will be distributed at the ticket office when you buy your ticket.
You will easily need 2 hours to tour the castle (following the sign-post) at a moderate pace.

HIMEJI CASTLE is a national treasure & UNESCO world heritage site. it is one of the most beautiful castles i've been to in japan, being restored to its most original condition. there are artifacts shown in the castle, but not to the extent that it overwhelms the traveller and makes them forget that they are in a castle. when you arrive at the top of the castle (be careful climbing those steep stairs!) you can see the view of himeji.
it takes about 1-2 hrs to go around the castle and castle grounds (it's good exercise as it is not flat ground that you are walking on).
the best time to go see HIMEJI CASTLE is cherry blossom season (around the first wk of april). outside the castle grounds during that time, there are many people picnicing under the cherry blossom trees and you can attend the cherry blossom festival!
FEE: 600yen adults 15+, 200yen children. Open 9-4(sept-may), 9-5(june-aug). free english tours available.

Cherry-blossom viewing: If you're so lucky to visit Japan in April, the season of cherry-blossom, you'll be greeted with these incredibly beautiful flowers. So lovely & so fragile... reminds me of how I've taken life for granted so very often!

Hence, pray for all the good things to come... One day, we'll have VT in every corner of our houses!!!

OSAKABE SHINTO SHRINE: Located at the top of the main tower, this shrine was formerly built on the top of the hill where the castle stands now. When they planned to build the castle where the shrine was, they moved it to another place. Afterwards people felt Nature's curse & they relocated the shrine inside the main tower.

An exhibition in the castle of the old way of life.
Hm, here at the Vanity Tower, the abode of Princess Sen (1597-1667) & other women was locked each night under guard!

Oh, boy... am I glad I'm borned in this generation!
Poor Princess :-(((

Not that much fun, if you asked me. Consider these: no TV (& cable TV!), no radio, no CDs/MDs/MP3, no PS2, no computer, no internet! Need I go on? ;-)

Visit the UNESCO World Heritage buidling the Himeji-jo
It's impressive to see how they maintained the state of the building through the years. Everything looks like it's in perfect condition (and it probably is).
The history of the castle and its premises go back to 1333 a.d.

You will see in this photo the top floor windows of Himeji Castle. You will also notice that all the windows are being protected with bars.