 Last additions - Himeji 姫路市 |
Mizu-no-san GateJan 20, 2006
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Mizu-no-ni Gate, Important Cultural PropertyJan 20, 2006
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Mizu-no-ichi Gate, Important Cultural Property.Jan 20, 2006
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Ho-no-mon Gate (lower left)Jan 20, 2006
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Himeji StationJan 20, 2006
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Shopping arcadeJan 20, 2006
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Photo galleryJan 20, 2006
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Himeji StationJan 20, 2006
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Nu-no-mon Gate (Important Cultural Property). This is the way out.Jan 20, 2006
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Okiku's Well. Subject of a famous ghost story called "Banshu Sara Yashiki," about a castle servant named Okiku.Jan 20, 2006
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Path to Harakiri (belly-slitting) Maru on the left or to Ri-no-mon Gate straight ahead.Jan 20, 2006
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Harakiki Maru. Square where the samurai committed harakiri or seppuku. The well seen in the upper right may have been where the head was washed. The building on the right was actually a defensive post.Jan 20, 2006
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More exhibitsJan 20, 2006
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Model of castleJan 20, 2006
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Wooden framework of castle towerJan 20, 2006
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Jan 20, 2006
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Weapons racks called bugukake. 武具掛Jan 20, 2006
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Going downJan 20, 2006
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Going back downJan 20, 2006
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Jan 20, 2006
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View of Shirotopia Memorial Park. Site of the Shirotopia Expo held in 1989 to celebrate Himeji city's centennial. シロトピア記念公園Jan 20, 2006
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View looking eastJan 20, 2006
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View of Honmaru and main road to Himeji Station, Otemae Boulevard (Symbol Road). 大手前通りJan 20, 2006
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View of Honmaru (Bizen Maru) and shachihoko roof ornament. The shachihoko ornament on the roof ridge guards against fire and natural disasters. Eleven of these are atop the castle.Jan 20, 2006
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Nishi no Maru and Sangoku Moat in foregroundJan 20, 2006
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Nishi no Maru and Hishi Gate (lower right)Jan 20, 2006
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View of Honmaru (Bizen Maru), main road to Himeji Station, and Nishi-no-MaruJan 20, 2006
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Osakabe Shrine on top floor of Himeji Castle. This shrine was already on the hill before the castle was built. The shrine was moved when the castle was built, but it was brought into the castle after some "curses" occurred.Jan 20, 2006
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Top floor of castle towerJan 20, 2006
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Fifth floorJan 20, 2006
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To top floorJan 20, 2006
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View of HonmaruJan 20, 2006
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Jan 20, 2006
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Jan 20, 2006
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Warrior armor displayed on second floor of Himeji Castle towerJan 20, 2006
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Gun racks called bugukake. 武具掛Jan 20, 2006
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Sign for bugukake weapon racks. Most explanatory signs are also in English.Jan 20, 2006
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Weapon racks called bugukake. 武具掛Jan 20, 2006
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Weapon racks called bugukake. 武具掛Jan 20, 2006
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To second floorJan 20, 2006
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Sword exhibitJan 20, 2006
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Jan 20, 2006
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Jan 20, 2006
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First floorJan 20, 2006
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First flight of stairsJan 20, 2006
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Mizu-no-roku Gate doorJan 20, 2006
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Take off your shoes before entering.Jan 20, 2006
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Inside Mizu-no-roku GateJan 20, 2006
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Mizu-no-go Gate doorJan 20, 2006
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Mizu-no-roku GateJan 20, 2006
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Jan 20, 2006
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Mizu-no-go Gate. 水五門Jan 20, 2006
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Path to castle tower entranceJan 20, 2006
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Castle tower 大天守Jan 20, 2006
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Jan 20, 2006
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Castle tower stone foundationJan 20, 2006
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Castle tower viewed from Bizen Maru (Honmaru) 大天守Jan 20, 2006
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Castle tower viewed from Bizen Maru (Honmaru). 大天守Jan 20, 2006
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"Sama" hole for dropping stones, throwing spears, etc.Jan 20, 2006
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Stone coffins at Bizen Gate. Due to a shortage of stones during the castle's construction, many stone coffins unearthed from the tumulus on the hill of the castle were used in the rock walls. The stone coffins were replaced by real stones during the cDue to a shortage of stones during the castle's construction, many stone coffins unearthed from the tumulus on the hill of the castle were used in the rock walls. The stone coffins were replaced by real stones during the castle restoration in the 1960s.Jan 20, 2006
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Bizen Gate entrance to Honmaru, also called Bizen-maru. Notice the coffin stone on the right of the gate. (Important Cultural Property) 備前門Jan 20, 2006
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Well Turret. The well is 16 meters deep with water 1 meter deep.Jan 20, 2006
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Well Turret sign. The turret is to defend the rear of the castle. It has three rooms, one of which has a 16-meter deep well. 井郭櫓Jan 20, 2006
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Chi-no-mon Gate (after passing through)Jan 20, 2006
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View of castle tower from Chi-no-mon GateJan 20, 2006
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He-no-mon Gate in the distance. As seen from Chi-no-mon Gate.Jan 20, 2006
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One end of To-no-ichi GateJan 20, 2006
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To-no-ichi Gate との一問Jan 20, 2006
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View from He-no-mon GateJan 20, 2006
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Chi-no-mon Gate in the distance. On the left partially hidden is To-no-ichi Gate. ちの門Jan 20, 2006
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He-no-mon Gate への門Jan 20, 2006
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Inside storehouseJan 20, 2006
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Koshi Kuruwa storehouse (Waist Quarter) for salt and rice.Jan 20, 2006
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The family crest of the resident warlords who repaired the castle remain on the roof.Jan 20, 2006
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The family crest of the resident warlords who repaired the castle are displayed. The warlords include Hashiba (later Toyotomi) Hideyoshi, Ikeda Terumasa, Honda Tadamasa, Matsudaira Tadaaki, Matsudaira Naomoto, Sakakibara Tadatsugu, and Sakai Tadazumi.Jan 20, 2006
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Family crest on roof tiles. The family crest of the resident warlords who repaired the castle remain on the roof.Jan 20, 2006
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Inside storehouseJan 20, 2006
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Koshi no Kuruwa storehouse for rice and saltJan 20, 2006
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StorehouseJan 20, 2006
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Castle roof undersideJan 20, 2006
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Inside Ni-no-mon Gate. A bottleneck gate designed so not many enemy soldiers can pass through at one time.Jan 20, 2006
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Ni-no-mon Gate (Important Cultural Asset) にの門Jan 20, 2006
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Path to Ni-no-mon GateJan 20, 2006
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Path to Ha-no-mon Gate はの門Jan 20, 2006
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Ro-no-mon Gate (Important Cultural Asset) ろの門Jan 20, 2006
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I-no-mon Gate (Important Cultural Asset) いの門Jan 20, 2006
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Sangoku Moat in Ni no Maru, 三国堀Jan 20, 2006
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Jan 20, 2006
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Ni no Maru. After passing through Hishi Gate, this is what you see.Jan 20, 2006
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View from the right of Hishi GateJan 20, 2006
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View from the right of Hishi GateJan 20, 2006
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Hishi Gate, Important Cultural Property. Pass though this large gate to proceed to the Ni no Maru compound. 菱門Jan 20, 2006
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Path to Hishi Gate. 菱門Jan 20, 2006
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Castle ticket office and entrance. Admission is 600 yen for adults. Hours are 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (September through May) or 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.(June through August).Jan 20, 2006
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Jan 20, 2006
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Castle tower, a National Treasure. 大天守Jan 20, 2006
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Himeji Castle tower, a National Treasure. 大天守Jan 20, 2006
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Castle tower closeup. 大天守Jan 20, 2006
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Main castle tower (donjon), called Tenshu. 大天守Jan 20, 2006
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Castle view from San no Maru.Jan 20, 2006
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San no Maru cherry trees. The stone marker says that Himeji Castle is one of Japan's 100 Best Cherry Blossom Sites.Jan 20, 2006
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Special Historical Place markerJan 20, 2006
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World Heritage Site marker. 世界遺産 姫路城Jan 20, 2006
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San no Maru. This area is ringed by cherry trees. 三の丸広場Jan 20, 2006
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Otemon Gate, Main gate to castle. Reconstructed in 1937. 大手門Jan 20, 2006
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World Heritage Site marker. 世界遺産 姫路城Jan 20, 2006
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Castle moatJan 20, 2006
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Path to Otemon Gate, the main gate to the castle. 大手門Jan 20, 2006
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Uchibori Inner MoatJan 20, 2006
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Road to Himeji Castle. Otemae Boulevard (Symbol Road). 大手前通りJan 20, 2006
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Road to Himeji Castle. From Himeji Station, the main road leads to the castle which can be seen in the distance.Jan 20, 2006
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