Himeji, Japan

Himeji Castle - Japan

Koko-en Gardens - Himeji, Japan

Japanese Food - Himeji, Japan

Koko-en Gardens - Himeji, Japan

Koi at Koko-en Gardens - Himeji, Japan

White Heron at Koko-en Gardens 
- Himeji, Japan

Pat Ringing Bell - Himeji Castle, Japan

School Children - Himeji, Japan

Himeji, Japan (10/9/09) - Himeji is a wonderful historic Japanese city to visit.

Typhoon Melro swept across Japan and changed the course of our Japanese cruise. Instead of visiting Tokyo, we diverted south to Kobe where we took a day trip to Himeji, home of Japan’s most beautiful castle.

In Himeji, Japan's oldest UNESCO World Heritage Site the 16th-century Himeji Castle (White Heron Castle) was built in 1580 and is called “shirasagi’ because its graceful arced roofs and white plaster walls resembles a white heron taking flight. We did get a photo of a white heron and with a little imagination, you can see the birds in flight in the castle design (see photos). With extensive gates, moats, turrets, and a maze of passageways, Himeji Castle has survived since the feudal times of the samuari.

Even more fun for us was our visit to the beautiful Koko-en gardens (see photos) next to Himeji Castle showing Edo Period (1603-1867) style Japanese gardens - very lovely. 

On the way to Himeji, we saw the newly constructed Akashi Kaikyo Suspension Bride - the longest suspension bridge in the world.

Please also see our 9 other blog posts for wonderful Japan:

Japan (Northern) Hakodate Otaru Aomori

Japan Hiroshima

Japan Kyoto Famous Temples Shrines Palaces Castles

Japan Kyoto Gardens

Japan Kyoto Japanese Food

Japan Kyoto Living and Impressions

Japan Nara

Japan Osaka

Japan Uji Fushimi-Inari Taisha Torii Gates

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Write by: AN - Monday, October 12, 2009