Buzz
Himeji Castle - The White Heron Fortress
Viewed from above, Himeji Castle resembles an oval-shaped island. Surrounding the castle is a deep moat, followed by a stone wall, then a strip of trees, mainly pine, lining around. Further out, enveloping the entire castle, is a spacious park area. The castle has few entrances, with the main entrance facing south being particularly sturdy.
Marvelous Structures from Every Angle
The gates and walls are designed like a labyrinth to confuse enemy soldiers. The Hishi Gate (Diamond Gate) serves as the main entrance to the castle. It stands between the two Sannomaru and Ninomaru walls and retains its primitive appearance from the Azuchi-Momoyama period. From the outside, it appears to have five floors, but it actually has six floors plus a basement, supported by large-diameter wooden pillars. The pillars are rare ancient giants made from cypress wood. Even the horizontal and vertical beams are made of wood, and even the partitions are made of split wood boards, unpainted but retaining the natural color of the wood. Moreover, the staircases connecting the floors are not aligned at the same coordinates but are arranged scatteredly to create perilous corners for formidable defense.
The interior pathways of the castle wind like a maze, hence Himeji Castle is likened to being 'impregnable.' Nowadays, inside the castle, directional signs are also posted so visitors need not worry about getting lost. Furthermore, you can encounter enthusiastic and experienced tour guides here.
Outside the castle are gardens named Akarui (meaning: bright), with various rare trees planted here combined with fish ponds creating a magnificent picture. This is a place for leisurely walks and sightseeing of the ancient kings. To the south of the castle, you can see a small dry well built with stone pillars.
MytourFebruary 7, 2020
