HIMEJI JAPAN / Himeji castle is Strongly Defensed White Heron Castle : Hyogo
Today’s tour is in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, famous for its Kobe beef. We’ll be enjoying the town by sampling the sights of Himeji Castle, a World Heritage Site, and the castle town. Himeji is a 2 hour and 15 minute train ride from Kansai Airport. Full details of the trip are in the description, so don’t forget to subscribe and click the like button. Himeji Castle is also known as ” White Heron Castle ” due to its beautiful exterior covered in white plaster. As you walk, you can feel the signs of autumn. The entrance gate is about 8m high, but the gates in the passageways inside the castle are very low, about 150cm high. The average height of a man at the time was 155-158cm. The gate was designed to make it easier to attack enemy soldiers, as bending down to pass through it would restrict movement. The walls are sloped, making it very difficult for enemies to climb with weapons. We enter the castle listening to the birds chirping. The rule is to take off your shoes and carry them in a bag. The stairs are narrow and steep, and the windows have bars, so the building prioritizes security over everyday usability. Himeji Castle was built in 1346, and from 1580 onwards, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and others continued to renovate and expand it until it took on its current appearance. This castle escaped war damage and has remained almost exactly as it was when it was first built, which is a highlight of the site. Touring the castle is fascinating as it allows you to trace its history, filled with the wisdom and ingenuity of the people of the time, imagine what it was like back then, and let your imagination wander. There is a shrine on the top floor of the castle tower, the base from which the castle lord commands the battlefield. The top floor overlooks Otemae Street, which continues from the station. This was a place for dropping stones, boiling water and arrows on enemy soldiers below the walls. Several warriors were hiding in this hole in the wall, waiting for the enemy. Near the castle stairs, there are 10 rows of armor racks lined up in a row. Himeji Castle has 997 firing holes. This is the first time I’ve seen a castle with such strong defenses. The walls also have shooting holes of different sizes and shapes. Japan is prone to earthquakes, so it is a sturdy structure with many pillars. A diorama of the time. The country prospered by having townspeople and merchants live in the castle town and developing commerce. “There are onigawara tiles with chrysanthemum crests, ripples, and swallowtail butterfly crests. As the castle was repeatedly built and renovated by several feudal lords, a variety of patterns can be seen on the roof decorations. This is a museum about Edo period daimyo processions. Daimyos processions forced local rulers to demonstrate their loyalty to the shogunate, which in turn restricted their financial and military power. The rulers of Himeji would walk from Himeji Castle to Edo Castle over a period of 19 days. One daimyos procession cost 170 million yen. Next, head to the souvenir shop street you can see at the back of the bridge. At the souvenir shops around Himeji Castle and on Miyuki Street, you can enjoy Himeji specialties and local gourmet food. “Kineya’s Oshiroyaki is a castella cake bun shaped like Himeji Castle. This is a Oshiroyaki. The only place you can eat freshly baked Oshiroyaki is at the shop in the former residence park. It’s a Japanese confectionery characterized by its soft dough made with plenty of domestic honey and moist red bean paste. There are many capsule toys around Himeji Castle that make great souvenirs. Genuine old coins and family crest pin badges. We are walking down Miyuki-dori shopping street. This restaurant, decorated with tuna heads, offers all-you-can-eat crab. Yamasa Kamaboko is a kamaboko shop that uses mineral-rich natural water. Kamaboko is a food made from mashed fish meat that is steamed or grilled. It looks like an Corn Dog, but the batter is stuffed with cheese and kamaboko fish paste. Very fluffy and cheese taste is nice! We head back near the station and try Akashiyaki, Hyogo’s famous takoyaki. Akashiyaki takoyaki is different from regular takoyaki; it’s fluffy and eaten with dashi broth. I got a little lost, but this is the entrance. This is a shop loved by locals. You can enjoy curry, omelet rice, and takoyaki at a low price. I’m going to eat this now. Purchase a meal ticket from the vending machine, hand it to the store staff, and you’ll be given a numbered ticket. Number 4. The Akashiyaki here is so fluffy and soft that it spills out when dipped in soup stock. Akashi City in Hyogo Prefecture has a fishing port and is famous for producing high-quality octopus called Akashi octopus. The delicious flavor of the broth will fill my mouth. You can also add sauce. Did you enjoy this trip? I hope many good things happen to you today. See you again soon!
Travel to Himeji’s symbol, the UNESCO World Heritage and National Treasure, Himeji Castle, and Miyuki Street.
Stroll through the retro arcade shopping street, enjoying local gourmet treats like Akashiyaki takoyaki, kamaboko corn dogs, and castle-shaped yakimanju.
🏯Himeji Castle
68 Honmachi, Himeji, Hyogo 670-0012
🌏https://maps.app.goo.gl/FH4ipamYW2gzYyv38
🔗https://www-city-himeji-lg-jp.j-server.com/LUCHIMEJIC/ns/tl.cgi/https://www.city.himeji.lg.jp/castle/index.html?SLANG=ja&TLANG=en&XMODE=0&XCHARSET=utf-8&XJSID=0
🛍️Miyukidori Shopping street
🌏https://maps.app.goo.gl/9DFfnEtmAdjAedoK8
server.com/LUCHIMEJIC/ns/tl.cgi/https://www.city.himeji.lg.jp/castle/index.html?SLANG=ja&TLANG=en&XMODE=0&XCHARSET=utf-8&XJSID=0
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