Enjoying the Cherry Blossoms at Himeji Castle
Himeji Castle, or Himeji-jo, is a castle located in Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. According to the old provincial divisions, the castle was situated in Harima-no-kuni, Shikito-gun, Himeji. The charming beauty of the white plaster dominating the castle walls gives Himeji Castle its other name, the "White Heron Castle."
This castle is the most important surviving architectural legacy of early 17th-century castles, as, according to several accounts, Himeji Castle always escaped the danger of war fires and survived the fall of castles to enemies, meaning that the main keep and many other castle buildings still remain.
The Japanese government has designated 8 structures within the castle complex as National Treasures, including the main keep, small keeps, and the Watari-yagura (connecting corridors). Furthermore, various types of buildings, totaling 74 structures within the complex (27 Yagura (turrets)/ Watari-yagura, 15 gates, 32 walls), have been designated as Important Cultural Properties.
Himeji Castle is a castle built on a mountain in the middle of a plain (a hirayamajiro castle model). The heart of the castle is on Mount Hime, with the main keep erected right in the center. The surrounding flat land was also included in the castle grounds.
Overall, Himeji Castle uses a three-fold counter-clockwise spiral layout known as the Teikaku model, starting from the north side of Mount Hime. The first spiral is called Uchiguruwa (inner zone), the second is Nakakuruwa (middle zone), and the third is Sotokuruwa (outer zone).
Now, only the Uchikuruwa zone remains, which constitutes the current Himeji Castle complex. The other zones were utilized as the Sogamae (outermost castle territory) area, which circled the castle town. Himeji Castle is considered a very valuable world cultural heritage, leading UNESCO to inscribe it on the World Heritage List in 1993 under the cultural heritage category.
Beautifully seen from a distance with its white walls, Himeji Castle is often used as a filming location for movies with a backdrop of historical Japan. The castle is also frequently used as a substitute location for other castles, such as Edo Castle.
Enjoying the Blooming Cherry Blossoms
Who wouldn't be tempted to enjoy the sight of beautifully blooming pink petals? It is certainly a view that should not be missed. Japanese people themselves have a custom of enjoying the beauty of cherry blossoms through the hanami tradition.
While at Arakurayama Sengen Park, tourists have the opportunity to see the cherry trees with Mount Fuji and the pagoda of Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine in the background, here, it is Himeji Castle that enhances the scenery.
According to Live Japan, there are over 1,000 cherry trees around the castle area. Additionally, during the Cherry Blossom Festival, there is usually a boat tour that can take visitors along the moats surrounding the castle while enjoying the soft pink colors of the cherry trees.
From late March to mid-April each year, the cherry trees surrounding the castle bloom magnificently, transforming this famous castle into one of the best spots for cherry blossom viewing in Japan. Come and see a national treasure at the peak of its beauty.
Getting to Himeji Castle
How do you get to Himeji Castle? Transportation involves using the train and bus to Himeji Station, which is connected to Tokyo, Osaka, Hiroshima, and other major cities by the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen.
The location of Himeji Castle can be reached in 20 minutes by walking along Otemaedori Street or in five minutes by bus from Himeji Station. Upon arrival at Himeji Castle, you can enjoy the view of the cherry blossoms from the exterior of the castle for free, or for a perfect experience, purchase an inexpensive ticket to enter the inner grounds of the castle. This ticket also allows you to explore the interior of the Himeji Castle area.
During the spring, this white structure appears to float above a sea of pink flowers and is the perfect place to enjoy hanami (flower viewing). Himeji Castle is arguably in its best state during the cherry blossom season. If you don't like crowds, arrive before lunchtime.
