Himeji Castle

Hyogo

Castles & Historic Sites

# Castle

# Cherry Blossom

# National Treasure

# World Heritage

# Original Castle Keep

The main keep of the white-walled Himeji Castle rising above its stone walls, framed by blooming cherry blossoms under a blue sky.

Snow-covered stone steps and white walls leading up toward Himeji Castle on a cloudy winter day.

Himeji Castle seen from across the moat, with a sightseeing boat carrying people in straw hats passing beneath a pedestrian bridge.

Himeji Castle illuminated at night, viewed through intensely purple-pink illuminated cherry blossoms.

Key Points

Built in 1609, the main keep remains a wooden structure that looks much like it did in the early Edo period
One of the first two sites in Japan to be registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site
Ikeda Terumasa (son-in-law of Tokugawa Ieyasu) was granted the castle after the Battle of Sekigahara
The castle’s gleaming white appearance is likened to a white heron taking flight from the water, earning it the name “White Heron Castle”

Himeji Castle, located in Hyogo Prefecture, is a magnificent fortress renowned for its brilliant white exterior and complex defensive design. While its origins date to 1333, the castle’s current iconic form was largely established during the early Edo period. After the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600, the castle was granted to Ikeda Terumasa (a son-in-law of Tokugawa Ieyasu). From 1601 to 1609, he undertook a massive reconstruction that produced the stunning main keep with five-stories, six-floors, and a basement level that stands today.
Following the completion of the keep, other sections like the western bailey were added around 1618. In recognition of its historical and cultural value, it was designated a National Treasure of Japan and became one of the first two sites in Japan to be registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in 1993.
Today, visitors can explore one of Japan’s most complete and authentic feudal castles. To preserve its condition, the castle has undergone several major restorations, with the most recent taking place from 2009 to 2015. A visit to Himeji Castle offers a direct look into the world of samurai and the architectural achievements of the Edo period.

Information

Spot information including address, access, and website
Address	68 Honmachi, Himeji City, Hyogo
Access from Tokyo	(1) From Tokyo Station, take the Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen Nozomi to HIMEJI STATION (approx. 2 hr 55 min). (2) From HIMEJI STATION, walk to the Himeji Castle (approx. 22 minutes). Show route from Tokyo Station
Website	https://www.city.himeji.lg.jp/castle/
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