In a blog entry yesterday, I intimated that Himeji Castle -- which I visited together with the nearby Koko-en Garden, and the Shoshazan Engyoji (Engyoji Temple on Mount Shosha) on a day trip from Osaka -- really brought out the shutter bug in me. After seeing the following photos of the magnificent 17th century edifice also known as Shirasagijo (White Heron Castle) because its brilliant white exterior resembles a white heron in flight, I hope that you'll understand why it did:-
No doubt about it -- the seven storeymain castle keep (Daitenshu) dominates
the landscape of Himeji -- castle but also town
At the same time, it seems to play peek-a-boo with the visitor making his or her way
along a suggested tour of Himeji-jo's expansive grounds
But all gets revealed as you get into the central area
And yes, visitors are allowed into the main castle keep
-- albeit only if they deign to remove their shoes
(in order to help preserve its original wooden floors)
And yes, visitors are allowed into the main castle keep -- albeit only if they deign to remove their shoes
(in order to help preserve its original wooden floors)
Also, to get views like this,one has to climb many flights of stairs as
there are no concessions to modernity like lifts
in this UNESCO World Heritage Listed-site
The Osakabe Shrine on the Daitenshu's top floor 
Lest it be thought that only the Daitenshuhas aesthetic charm
Truly, the artistry apparent in so much of Himeji Castle's architecture
really can take one's breath away
4 comments:
Beautiful! What an impressive building, and stunning views.
It's not too surpising that you must remove shoes. It's cool that the wooden floors are still the originals. Did they have special slippers?
Have you been to Nijo-jo, in Kyoto? I went there on my (only) trip to Japan, which was in 2004. That castle was smaller, but still quite beautiful. And it had remarkable floors that were actually designed to squeak when you walk on them, in order that no-one could sneak around to plot and evesdrop. The squeak was a pleasant chirping, and the floors are called "nightingale floors."
Hi Alejna --
Thanks for the appreciation. And yes, one had to wear special slippers. Either that or go barefoot/in one's own socks.
Don't think I've been to Nijo-jo. My one visit to Kyoto went by in a whirl due to my going with a tour group some years back. (Never again -- going with a tour group, I mean.) OTOH, one'd think I'd remember the nightingale floors -- thanks for sharing that story, BTW! :)
ytsl
Very enjoyable photo essay. Wonderful door at the end of the small walkway in the next to last picture. Did you walk on the textured narrow walkway?
One advantage at Osaka Castle is the elevator (+) but it's a modern recreation (-). But we didn't use the elevator as we arrived after the castle closed.
Hi sbk --
Glad you enjoyed the photo essay. BTW, I didn't walk on what you called a "textured narrow walkway" as I figured that it was an old style drain... ;b
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