Summary
After lots of shrines and temples, this was a half-day visit to the finest remaining castle in Japan. It involved an easy walk there and back along an avenue from the station, and walking around the grounds of the castle, along corridors, through timber-walled rooms, and up and down stairs. There's a postscript covering the colourful Tenjin Matsuri in Osaka, one of the biggest annual festivals in the country.
- I will remember most the picture of the white castle, very different from our Scottish castles.
- The best bit for me was the view down the roof tiles from the top.
- There weren’t any worst bits.
- The funniest aspect was the series of amusing and unusual figures along the avenue.
- I did wonder how a timber-walled castle would survive an attack with flaming arrows! Maybe not surprising most did not survive.
- This was almost the last of a whole series of new experiences during the holiday.
- The only word of warning would be to keep kids away from the swords!
Read the full story with lots of photos
Contributed by: Andrew Llanwarne
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Himeji Castle seen from the entrance
Key Facts
| Location |
Himeji, near Osaka, Honshu, Japan |
| When it was walked |
July 2003 |
| Walk type |
City and town walks |
| Difficulty |
Suitable for anyone who enjoys an easy walk |
| Distance approx |
5 km / 3 miles |
| Height climbed approx |
lots of stairs |
| Time taken approx |
5 hours |
| Map used if any |
None |
| Source of info on walk |
Lonely Planet guide and internet coverage |
| Getting there |
Shinkansen from Osaka (30 mins) |
| Places to stay |
Staying in Osaka – but various places to stay in Himeji |
| Places to eat/ buy food |
Various options at the station |
| Any other local attractions or facilities |
The line of statues on the avenue to the castle |
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