HIMEDJI CASTLE AND THE KOKOEN GARDENS
The Castle Surrounds
The Castle complex is surrounded by a large moat, accessed over a timber bridge and through a magnificent gate. Entry to the parks and minor buildings in this area is free, but there’s a ¥1,000 fee to enter the Castle itself, plus another ¥50 if you want to add the Kokoen Gardens.
While the Castle is the focus, the surrounds include many minor attractions including the Himedji Zoo. Look out also for the numerous wells that supplied water to the inhabitants.
Himedji Castle
The first thing that strikes you as you enter the Castle (apart from the low ceilings!) is the immense size of the timbers that make up the structure. The scale model inside the buildings gives a great perspective on how the various floors are interlinked. The stairs get narrower and steeper the higher you climb ; tread carefully as no shoes are allowed, to protect the timber floors. There is a small shrine on the top level, which provides panoramic views of the Castle grounds and the cityscape beyond.
The most recent restoration projects have included dismantling the Castle, brick by brick, timber by timber. It was then rebuilt back to it's original design, but with improved structural support in case of earthquakes. The beauty and majesty of the Castle take away from the fact that it was a beacon of strength and a place of refuge over many centuries of warfare. In that regard it was a pretty impenetrable fortress.
The Kokoen Gardens
Kokoen is a Japanese garden located a short walk from the main gate to Himeji Castle. It comprises nine separate walled gardens including the Garden of the Lord’s Residence, Garden with a Hill and Pond, Tea Ceremony Garden, Garden of Pine Trees, Garden of Seedlings, Garden of Summer, Flatly Landscaped Garden, Garden of Bamboo and Garden of Flowers. The gardens are designed to reflect the best of Japan's four seasons.
The highlight for us was the Garden of the Lord’s Residence, with its water features, bridges, and schools of inquisitive koi fish.