12 days in Japan - Day 4 Himeji
Himeji is famous for its impressive castle, a protected national treasure and UNESCO World Heritage site.
Himeji Castle
Tonkugawa Ieyasu as part of his strategy to build one castle in every province, had ordered the construction of Himeji in 1601 on an existing fort. Over 400 years old, Himeji castle is one of the country's twelve original surviving castles. Its white appearance and that it looked similar to a bird taking flight, helped to give the castle its nickname White Heron Castle.The main keep consists of six stories which are accessible by climbing the narrow staircases. The floors are mostly unfinished and there are informative displays about the architectural defensive mechanisms from the shogun period such as archery slits, loopholes and stone chutes. On the highest level, there is a Shinto shrine and a rooftop lookout. There is an AR app that provides information about the Castle and the main keep.
Nishi-no-Maru or West Bailey is the house of Princess Sen-hime who married Tadatoki Honda, the lord of Himeji Castle.
Kokoen Garden
This beautiful Japanese style garden is next to Himeji Castle and has nine separate gardens based on the Edo Period including a small bamboo forest. It was relaxing to walk around the gardens and to see all the different kinds of plants and flowers. There is a tea house where you can book a traditional tea ceremony, which we unfortunately did not have enough time to do. You can purchase a combined ticket for Himeji Castle and the garden.
Engyoji-Temple
A historic temple complex on Mount Shosha. The 27th temple on the 33 sacred temple Kannon pilgrimage route in Saigoku and Mani-den. Mani-den meaning 'As you wish' is a wooden temple hall constructed in 970 and dedicated to Roppi-Nyoirin-Kanzeon-Bosatsu: Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, the Buddhist Saint of Mercy. Amongst the other noticeable buildings include Mitsunodo; the Daikodo (main hall), Jikido and Jogyodo which featured in the film The Last Samurai.To reach Mount Shosha, from Himeji city centre, take the number 8 bus to Mount Shosha Ropeway, takes approx. 30minutes. Then take the ropeway up the mountain. Then its a 10-15minute walk uphill or there is shuttle bus service which will take you to the Niomon Gate and another 15 minutes walk to Maniden. We had decided to use the bus service to give us some more time to explore the temples. There is a combined ticket for the bus journey and ropeway which can be purchased at the Shinki Bus Terminal ticket office at Himeji Station.
It is amazing to think people would have traveled from afar to make the pilgrimage to this sacred site.
I would recommend spending 2-3 hours walking along the forest trails and exploring the temples buildings and shrines. Its so big and to appreciate the architecture and beauty of the surroundings, you would need a good amount of time.
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