Himeji Castle

Himeji Castle is a hilltop castle in Himeji City, Hyōgo Prefecture, built around Mount Hime and Mount Sagi. Known by the nickname "Shirasagi-jō" (White Heron Castle) for its elegant appearance resembling a white heron spreading its wings, it features a grand and graceful exterior, including a five-story, seven-level main keep; three smaller keeps (east, west, and northwest) connected by corridors in a linked complex; and striking white plastered walls in a total plaster-coating style. Access to Himeji Castle is about a 20-minute walk from JR Himeji Station (Sanyō Main Line) or Sanyō Electric Railway Himeji Station. The main keep, the east, west, and northwest small keeps, and four connecting corridors are National Treasures, and the castle also has many Important Cultural Properties. Owing to its outstanding aesthetic completeness at the pinnacle of Japanese wooden architecture and its uniqueness on a global scale, it has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. While many are captivated by its beautiful form, the best time to visit is especially during cherry blossom season. Around 1,000 cherry trees, including Somei-Yoshino and weeping cherry blossoms, combine with the castle and moats to create breathtaking scenery, and the site is also selected as one of Japan’s "Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots."