Himeji Castle (Himeji-jō) is widely considered Japan's most spectacular castle for its imposing size and beauty and its well-preserved, complex castle grounds. Frequently known as "White Heron Castle" (Shirasagi-jō) because of its brilliant white plastered walls and elegance, it bears a resemblance to a bird taking flight. As one of Japan's twelve original castles that have survived wars, earthquakes, and fires, it is a National Treasure and was one of the first UNESCO World Heritage sites in Japan.
History: A Fortress Unconquered
The castle's history dates back to 1333 when Akamatsu Norimura built a fort on the hill. However, the magnificent complex we see today was largely completed in 1609 by Ikeda Terumasa, a son-in-law of the shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. Despite centuries of warfare in feudal Japan, Himeji Castle has never been destroyed by war, earthquake, or fire.
- World War II Survival: During WWII, Himeji city was heavily bombed by American forces. The castle stood miraculously intact, even though a firebomb was dropped directly into the top floor of the main keep—it failed to detonate.
- Great Hanshin Earthquake: In 1995, the devastating earthquake that destroyed much of Kobe and surrounding areas left the castle virtually unscathed, a testament to its earthquake-resistant design.
Architecture: Beauty and Defense
While beautiful, Himeji Castle is a masterpiece of defensive architecture.
- The Maze: The path to the main keep is a confusing maze of walled paths, multiple gates, and steep ramps designed to trap and confuse attackers. This would force enemies to travel in spirals, exposing their backs to defenders in the towers above.
- Ishiotoshi (Stone Drops): Angled chutes in the walls allowed defenders to drop stones or boiling water on attackers trying to scale the stone foundations.
- Sama (Loopholes): The walls are pierced with thousands of triangular, square, and round holes for firing arrows and guns.
The Main Keep
The six-story main keep is supported by two massive wooden columns that run from the basement to the roof. One is made from a single fir tree, while the other is a cypress tree reinforced in the 17th century. The interior is largely unfurnished, allowing visitors to appreciate the massive wooden beams and the complex carpentry that holds the structure together without nails.
Legends: The Ghost of Okiku
The castle is also home to one of Japan's most famous ghost stories, the Legend of Okiku. Okiku was a servant falsely accused of losing one of ten precious plates. She was killed and thrown into a well in the castle grounds. It is said that her ghost rises from the well at night, counting the plates: "One... two... three..." before letting out a blood-curdling scream when she realizes the tenth is missing. The Okiku Well can still be visited today.
Visitor Tips
- Take Your Shoes Off: As with many traditional Japanese buildings, you must remove your shoes to enter the main keep. Slippers are provided, but be prepared for steep, slippery wooden stairs.
- Cherry Blossoms: The castle grounds are one of Japan's premier cherry blossom spots. In early April, over 1,000 cherry trees bloom, turning the grounds into a sea of pink.
- Crowds: It is immensely popular. Arrive right at opening time (9:00 am) to avoid waiting in long lines to enter the main keep.