Tourist Facilities of Japan

Castles

Hyogo

Himeji Castle

Himeji Castle (Himeji-jo) is the largest, most perfectly designed original castle that remains in Japan. It was also called the Egret Castle as the shape of the castles layout centered on the five-tiered donjon resembled an egret about to take flight. It is known as the castle that the world recognizes as the symbol of Japan. Its predecessor was a castle built in the 14th century, but it reached its final (present) form in the beginning of the 17th century under the daimyo Ikeda Terumasa. His construction took eight years and required the labor of over 24,300,000 men. The donjon is about 31.5 m in height, over 46 m including the stone wall, and is designated a National Treasure along with other buildings. The interior of the donjon is of a practical construction and there are holes set in the walls for defenders to fire guns and arrows. Furthermore, 74 buildings such as turrets that held drums for announcing time have been designated Important Cultural Properties.

Renovation of Himeji Castle Main Keep <2009-2014>
This is a full-scale renovation work focused on replastering damaged plaster walls and replacing the roofing tiles on the main keep or dai-tenshu. The renovation period will be a full five years after the start of the scaffolding installation planned in 2009. The exterior view of the castle can be enjoyed until March 2010. The roofed scaffold structure and other scaffolding will be removed in 2014.
During this renovation period, visitors can get a close look at the repair process from inside the roofed scaffold structure or suyane that covers the main keep. In addition, the visitors' elevator helps elderly people and wheelchair users enjoy the scenery as if they were in the main keep.'

Address
68 Honmachi, Himeji-shi, Hyogo

Admission Fee
600 yen

Closed
Dec. 29-31

Directions
JR Himeji Station/On foot/15 min.