Himeji Castle 🏯

On the way to our next destination, we stopped at Himeji Castle – probably the most famous and most visited castle in all of Japan. It’s a massive white structure with six floors, standing 46 meters tall including the stone base. Built in the early 1600s, it has survived wars, earthquakes and even bombings completely untouched. It was never captured and is considered one of the best examples of original Japanese castle architecture.

The castle was home to powerful samurai families, including the Ikeda clan, and served mainly as a stronghold and administrative center. A few years ago, the entire structure underwent a major renovation. For several years it was hidden under a giant scaffolding hall – which, surprisingly, is what impressed Maciek the most. He still talks about that huge box that once covered the whole castle like a spaceship landed on top of it.

Visiting Himeji is quite a process. There’s a very organized route for tourists – from the ticket gate all the way to the exit – and it feels like being part of a silent procession. We followed the path through every level of the castle, one after another, together with hundreds of others. At every turn and stairway, there was a Japanese staff member making sure everything moved smoothly. That kind of order and precision felt very typically Japanese.

The castle itself is beautiful, no doubt – clean, white, impressive. But for me, it’s maybe a bit too perfect. I tend to prefer smaller castles, slightly rougher around the edges. Places where it’s easier to imagine the people who once lived there.Read more