World Heritage Himeji Castle (Himeji-jō) - nicknamed the White Egret for its white elegance - is widely considered Japan's most spectacular castle for its imposing size and beauty and complex grounds. It lies at a strategic point along the western approach to the former capital, Kyoto, and, unlike most other Japanese castles, was never destroyed by war, earthquake or fire; 1400s fortifications were enlarged over the centuries by various ruling clans. The complex as it survives today was completed in 1609: over eighty buildings spread across multiple baileys, connected by a series of gates and winding (uphill!) paths.
It absolutely poured down last time we visited, so we were cheered to see the blue sky.
Entering
via the Otemon Gate into the third bailey took us to the
main keep; the walled paths and multiple gates were built to slow down attacking forces, and the steep narrow staircases certainly did the same for us!
Each level gets progressively smaller as you ascend. The floors are generally unfurnished and display just a few multilingual signs explaining architectural features such as portholes, rock chutes and concealed areas. From the top floor, we peered out in all directions, down over the castle roofs, at the maze-like defenses below and out across the city, including admiring up-closes view of the fish-shaped roof ornaments (believed to protect from fire).
And, back at our hotel room, we turned on the TV for the first time and settled down for some sake with the grand final...
By George, those chaps move fast
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