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Nara, Himeji & Osaka

Kansai Area

Tony Clemens
2005-08-31 22:15:56

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seen posters or calendar pictures of it. Most of the castles you see in Japan are modern (1950's) reconstructions. Himeji is one of the stops on the shinkansen line and is only about 1.5 hours from Kyoto or an hour from Osaka.

Construction first started in 1333 with the building of a fort at the site with premises been built in 1346. It was not until the middle of the 16thcentury that the original castle was built during the rule of Shigetaka Kuroda. The first of three moats was started in 1601 and the entire moat system was completed in 1609. Except for the outer moat which no longer exists and some outer bailey walls that were destroyed in the bombing raids of WWII, the castle has much the same as it was in 1618 when it was finished. It consists of a five story donjon and three smaller donjons and is surrounded by moats and defensive walls with openings to shot arrows and guns at attackers.

Sometimes there are English guides available, but it is hit and miss and you can't book in advance. To the west of the castle you will find KÅ�ko-en, a reconstruction of the former samurai quarters based on archaeological work done in the early 90's. If you want to visit you can purchase a combination ticket to visit both the castle and KÅ�ko-en. The site includes nine Edo-style gardens, two ponds, reconstructed buildings, and an expensive restaurant. There are cheaper restaurants near the castle.

There is also a history museum north of the castle but the castle is the only real site in Himeji, otherwise its a typical drab small city. The castle is worth the trip.

Osaka

Although 1400 years old Osaka was bombed flat during WWII and is now a typical modern Japanese city. Early in Japan's history, cultural exchange with China and Korea flowed through Osaka. The second largest city in the country it's a good place to experience ...