The restoration of Himeji Castle and Preservation of this World Heritage Site
As the structure of Himeji Castle is made of wood, it requires periodic repair and restoration. The first major restoration...
The Legend of Okiko and the Well at Himeji Castle
Okiku Ido (Okiku Well), in the grounds of Himeji Castle, is said to be the well that features in the...
The legend of Princess Sen and Himeji Castle
Among those who lived in Himeji Castle, there was one woman of a rare beauty, named Princess Sen (Sen-hime). She...
The many battle-related design features of Himeji Castle
Japanese castles built during the Warring States Period were infused with the wisdom and techniques required for use as military...
Himeji Castle – Japan’s Largest and Most Visited Castle
Himeji Castle is often referred to as Hakuro-jo (meaning “White Heron Castle”) because of its brilliant white exterior, which is...
Himeji, the City That Grew From Japan’s Historic Castle Town
Himeji City is located between the Chugoku Mountains and the Inland Sea of Japan. With around half a million inhabitants,...
Senjō-kaku and the Five Story Pagoda on the Sacred Island of Miyajima, Japan
Dominating the hill above Itsukushima Shrine is this huge pavilion built in 1587 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi and the colourful, five-storey...
Miyajima’s O-Torii Gate – One Of Japan’s Most Famous Sites
Acclaimed by the Japanese as one of the country’s three most scenic views (Nihon Sankei), the Torii of Itsuku-shima shrine...
Itsukushima Shinto Shrine – A Holy Place of Shintoism on Miyajima Island, Japan
First built in 593, Itsukushima-jinja (Itsukushima Shrine) was remodelled into the present structure by Taira-no-Kiyomori, head of the doomed Heike...
Miyajima’s Giant Rice Scoop – Itsukushima, Japan
The biggest rice scoop in the world is found on Omotesando street on Miyajima (Itsukushima) Island in Japan. It was...