Shrines and temples—and now a castle!🤍
I had never been to the city of Himeji but my Japanese friend said it’s a must. She was right—it’s an absolute must! Tucked away in this charming city is a stunning fortress and UNESCO World Heritage Site that is steeped in history and magic, making it one of my favorite places to see. Let me tell you a fairy tale that is Himeji Castle!
Built a long long time ago (14th century, although disputed) in the far away land of Himeji, where feudal lords roamed the hallways and *Sachihoko protected the castle from fire…
What we see today is mostly from the early 1600s and the castle is nicknamed, “Shirasagi-jo” or “White Heron Castle.” There is a definite WOW factor with the white plaster exterior making it look like a heron gracefully taking flight!
There are some 80 buildings within the castle complex, linked by winding paths and gates. We actually climbed to the top of the main keep exploring each floor and it’s original use along the way. There are even some ghost stories to shiver at! FYI, be prepared to take off your shoes and those steps are steep!
The views are nothing short of breathtaking and the Nishinomaru Garden surrounding Himeji Castle is enchanting.
Travel there: We took the JR line from Kyoto and walked down the main street, looking at the castle the entire time. Seriously, you can’t get lost. The only “lost” you’re going to get is in the beauty of this fairy tail castle!
The end.🧚
*Sachihoko = mythical Japanese creatures that have the head of a tiger and the body of a carp fish. They were used as roof ornaments on castles like Himeji to protect them from fire 🔥.
Christina’s Journey Journal 