Himeji and Takamatsu

Himeji Castle is said to be the finest example of Japanese castle architecture. It’s less than an hour from Osaka on the Shinkansen and nicely on the way to my next overnight. Leaving the bag in a locker at the station (almost every station has lockers) O step outside and can immediately see the castle. But it’s a wee way away and there’s a bus waiting so that’s the choice made. I’ve never seen a castle like it. The white walls of the keep, repainted a few years ago, sit on huge blocks of stone. It’s a steep walk up to the entrance to the keep and there are 8 flights of steps up to the top of the keep. The steps and floors are all wood so shoes are removed at the bottom and carried to the top and back down. Fab views of the city.

There’s a formal Japanese garden next door so a quick visit is made then it’s back to the station for another Shinkansen onto Okayama and then the Marine Liner LEX to Takamatsu. There’s one double deck car but unfortunately the upper deck is for first class ticket holders only. Nevertheless I have a fine view of the Seto Inland Sea going over the bridge to the Island of Shikoku.

An hour of cooling down at the hotel and then I have time to visit another garden - Ritsurin - which is just a few minutes on the local train. The garden is formally laid out with paths and lakes and trees dating back to 1745 and is one of the largest in the country.

Dinner and sleep!Read more