View source for Himeji Castle

{{Short description|Japanese castle in Hyōgo Prefecture}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2016}}
{{Infobox military installation
| name          = Himeji Castle<br />{{nobold|{{lang|ja|姫路城}}}}
| location      = [[Himeji]], Hyōgo, Japan
| coordinates   = {{coord|34|50|22|N|134|41|38|E|region:JP|display=inline,title}}
| pushpin_map   = Japan
| image         = Himeji castle in may 2015.jpg
| image_size    = 300px
| caption       = Himeji Castle in May 2015 after the five-year renovation of the roof and walls
[[File:Himeji Castle Aerial photograph 2010.jpg|300px]]<br/>
Aerial photograph of the Himeji Castle in 2010
| type          = [[Japanese castle#Azuchi–Momoyama period|Azuchi-Momoyama castle]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sansenya.com/castle_area.html |title=Himeji Castle and its surroundings |publisher=Sansen-ya |access-date=July 6, 2010}}</ref>
| built         = 1333 (Himeyama fort/castle)<ref name="sakurai" /><br/>1581 (expansion)<ref name="sakurai" /><br/>1601–1609 (expansion)<ref name="sakurai" /><br/>1617–1618 (expansion)<ref name="ball2005" /><ref name="guidebook">{{cite web |url=http://www.e-somen.com/castle/subdata/print/engdata.pdf |title=National Treasure Himeji Castle Guide book |year=2000 |publisher=Himeji Rojyo Lions Club |access-date=July 10, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710161456/http://www.e-somen.com/castle/subdata/print/engdata.pdf |archive-date=July 10, 2011 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
| builder       = [[Akamatsu Norimura]] (1333)<ref name="sakurai" /><br/>[[Toyotomi Hideyoshi]] (1581)<ref name="sakurai" /><br/>[[Ikeda Terumasa]] (1601–1609)<ref name="sakurai" /><br/>[[Honda Tadamasa]] (1617–1618)<ref name="ball2005" />
| materials     = Wood, stone, plaster, tile<ref name="guidebook" />
| height        = {{convert|46.4|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| used          = 1333–1868,<ref name="sakurai" /><ref name="bornoff2000" /> 1945 (as military camp)
| demolished    = 1346 (demolished for reconstruction)<ref name="sakurai" /><br/>1601–1609 (demolished for reconstruction)<ref name="guidebook" />
| condition     = Intact, restoration work for preservation recently completed<ref name="japantravelinfo" />
| ownership     = 
| controlledby  = 
| garrison      = ~500 (Ikeda family, soldiers)<ref name="guidebook" /><br/>~4,000 (Honda family, soldiers)<ref name="guidebook" /><br/>~3,000 (Sakakibara family, soldiers)<ref name="guidebook" /><br/>~2,200 (Sakai family, soldiers)<ref name="guidebook" />
| commanders    = 
| occupants     = 
| battles       = 
| events        = 
| embedded      = {{Infobox UNESCO World Heritage Site
| Official_name =Himeji-jo
  |child = yes
  |ID = 661
  |Year = 1993
  |Criteria = Cultural: i, iv
  |Area = 107 ha
  |Buffer_zone = 143 ha
  }}
}}
{{Infobox Chinese
| pic = Himeji Castle (Chinese characters).svg
| piccap = "Himeji Castle" in ''[[kanji]]''
| picupright = 0.55
| kanji = 姫路城
| romaji = Himeji-jō
}}
{{nihongo|'''Himeji Castle'''|姫路城|Himeji-jō|{{IPA|ja|çimeʑiꜜʑoː||TomJ-HimejiCastle.ogg}}}} is a hilltop [[Japanese castle]] complex situated in [[Himeji]], a city in [[Hyōgo Prefecture]], [[Japan]]. The castle is regarded as the finest surviving example of prototypical Japanese castle architecture, comprising a network of 83 rooms with advanced defensive systems from the [[Feudal Japan|feudal period]].<ref name="unesco">{{cite web |url=https://whc.unesco.org/pg.cfm?cid=31&id_site=661 |title=Himeji-jo |publisher=[[UNESCO]] World Heritage Centre |access-date=July 4, 2010}}</ref> The castle is frequently known as ''Hakuro-jō'' or ''Shirasagi-jō'' ("White [[Egret]] Castle" or "[[heron|White Heron]] Castle") because of its brilliant white exterior and supposed resemblance to a bird taking flight.<ref name="bornoff2000">{{cite book |first=Nicholas |last=Bornoff |year=2000 |title=The National Geographic Traveler: Japan |publisher=National Geographic Society |location=Washington |isbn=0-7894-5545-5 |pages=256–257}}</ref><ref name="dk2000">{{cite book |year=2000 |title=Eyewitness Travel Guides: Japan |publisher=Dorling Kindersley Publishing |location=New York |isbn=0-7894-5545-5 |pages=200–203}}</ref>

As with almost all Japanese castles from the [[Azuchi-Momoyama period]] onward, the {{nihongo3|[[Keep|main keep]]|天守|[[tenshu]]}}, the most prominent structure, was used as a storehouse in times of peace and as a [[fortified tower]] in times of war, and the {{nihongo3|[[feudal lord]]|大名|[[daimyo]]}}'s government offices and residences were located in a group of single-story buildings near the ''tenshu'' and the surrounding {{nihongo3|turrets|櫓|[[Yagura (tower)|yagura]]}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://toyokeizai.net/articles/-/123075?page=2|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190730160807/https://toyokeizai.net/articles/-/123075?page=2|script-title=ja:天守閣は物置だった？｢日本の城｣の教養10選|language=ja|publisher=[[Toyo Keizai]]|date=23 June 2016|archive-date=30 July 2019|access-date=7 April 2024}}</ref>

Himeji Castle dates to 1333 when [[Akamatsu Norimura]] built a fort on top of Himeyama hill. The fort was dismantled and rebuilt as Himeyama Castle in 1346 and then remodeled into Himeji Castle two centuries later. Himeji Castle was then significantly remodeled in 1581 by [[Toyotomi Hideyoshi]], who added a three-story castle [[Tenshu|keep]]. In 1600, [[Tokugawa Ieyasu]] awarded the castle to [[Ikeda Terumasa]] for his help in the [[Battle of Sekigahara]], and Ikeda completely rebuilt the castle from 1601 to 1609, expanding it into a large castle complex.<ref name="sakurai">{{cite news |url=http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/columns/0005/lens146.htm |title=A hilltop white heron 400 years old |newspaper=[[The Daily Yomiuri]] |access-date=July 5, 2010 |archive-date=March 2, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070302124452/http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/columns/0005/lens146.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> Several buildings were later added to the castle complex by [[Honda Tadamasa]] from 1617 to 1618.<ref name="guidebook" /> For almost 700 years, Himeji Castle has remained intact, withstanding incidents such as the bombing of Himeji in [[World War II]], and natural disasters, including the 1995 [[Great Hanshin earthquake]].<ref name="sakurai" /><ref name="japantravelinfo">{{cite web |url=http://www.japantravelinfo.com/news/news_item.php?newsid=274 |title=Himeji Castle starts its renovation in April |publisher=Official Tourism Guide for Japan Travel |access-date=July 1, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110324071746/http://www.japantravelinfo.com/news/news_item.php?newsid=274 |archive-date=March 24, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref name="japanatlas">{{cite web |url=http://web-japan.org/atlas/architecture/arc16.html |title=Himeji Castle |publisher=Japan Atlas |access-date=July 5, 2010}}</ref>

Himeji Castle is the largest and most visited castle in Japan, and it was registered in 1993 as one of the first [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]]s in the country.<ref name="japantravelinfo" /> The area within the middle [[moat]] of the castle complex is a designated [[Monuments of Japan|Special Historic Site]] and five structures of the castle are also designated [[National Treasures of Japan|National Treasures]].<ref name="guidebook" /><ref name="himejicity01">{{cite web |url=http://www.city.himeji.lg.jp/s110/2212786/_5222/_5237/_5239.html |script-title=ja:国宝一覧 |language=ja |publisher=[[Himeji, Hyōgo|Himeji city]] |access-date=July 5, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100927071829/http://www.city.himeji.lg.jp/s110/2212786/_5222/_5237/_5239.html |archive-date=September 27, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Along with [[Matsumoto Castle]] and [[Kumamoto Castle]], Himeji Castle is considered one of Japan's three premier castles.<ref name="kobayashi">{{cite web |url=http://www.ktshawaii.com/DestinationArticles/TheThreeFamousCastlesofJapan/tabid/156/Default.aspx |title=The Three Famous Castles of Japan |publisher=Kobayashi Travel Service |access-date=July 4, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100322220951/http://www.ktshawaii.com/DestinationArticles/TheThreeFamousCastlesofJapan/tabid/156/Default.aspx |archive-date=March 22, 2010 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The castle buildings underwent restoration work for several years and reopened to the public on March 27, 2015.<ref name="city.himeji.lg.jp">{{cite web |url=http://www.city.himeji.lg.jp/s60/2851146/_21909/siro-weekly-photo |title=姫路市{{pipe}}今週の姫路城（27年2月9日現在） |access-date=2015-01-28 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150215031219/http://www.city.himeji.lg.jp/s60/2851146/_21909/siro-weekly-photo |archive-date=February 15, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The works also removed decades of dirt and grime, restoring the formerly grey roof to its original brilliant white color.

== History ==
Himeyama hill, the location of present-day Himeji Castle, was first fortified in 1333 by [[Akamatsu Norimura]], the ''[[shugo]]'' of [[Harima Province]], during the [[Genkō War]].<ref name="sakurai" /> In 1346, his son Sadanori demolished this fort and built Himeyama Castle in its place.<ref name="sakurai" /><ref name=Hinago>{{Cite book |last=Hinago |first=Motoo |title=Japanese Castles |publisher=Kodansha International Ltd. and Shibundo |year=1986 |isbn=0-87011-766-1 |pages=121–125}}</ref> In 1545, the Kuroda clan was stationed here by order of the Kodera clan, and feudal ruler [[Kuroda Shigetaka]] remodeled the castle into Himeji Castle, completing the work in 1561.<ref name="sakurai" /><ref name="castleexplorer">{{Cite web |last=O'Grady, Daniel |title=Japanese Castle Explorer – Himeji Castle |url=http://www.japanese-castle-explorer.com/castle_profile.html?name=Himeji |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110120204041/http://www.japanese-castle-explorer.com/castle_profile.html?name=Himeji |archive-date=2011-01-20 |access-date=July 11, 2010 |website=Japanese Castle Explorer}}</ref> In 1580, [[Kuroda Yoshitaka]] presented the castle to [[Toyotomi Hideyoshi]], and in 1581 Hideyoshi significantly expanded the castle, building a three-story [[Tenshu|keep]] with an area of about {{convert|55|m2|ft2|abbr=on}}.<ref name="guidebook" /><ref name="castleexplorer" />

Following the [[Battle of Sekigahara]] in 1600, [[Tokugawa Ieyasu]] granted Himeji Castle to his son-in-law, [[Ikeda Terumasa]], as a reward for his help in battle.<ref name="sakurai" /> Ikeda demolished the three-story keep Hideyoshi had built in 1581, and completely rebuilt and expanded the castle from 1601 to 1609, adding three [[moat]]s and transforming it into the castle complex that is seen today.<ref name="sakurai" /><ref name="guidebook" /> The expenditure of labor involved in this expansion is believed to have totaled 2.5 million [[man-hour|man-days]].<ref name="sakurai" /> Ikeda died in 1613, passing the castle to his son, who also died three years later.<ref name="ball2005">{{cite book |first=Ball |last=Jacqueline A. |title=Himeji Castle: Japan's Samurai Past |year=2005 |publisher=Bearport Publishing |location=New York |isbn=1-59716-001-6|pages=32}}</ref> In 1617, [[Honda Tadamasa]] and his family inherited the castle, and Honda added several buildings to the castle complex, including a special tower for his daughter-in-law, {{nihongo|[[Princess Sen]]|千姫|Senhime}}<ref name="ball2005" /> called ''keshō yagura'' (Dressing Tower).

In the [[Meiji Period]] (1868–1912), many [[Japanese castle]]s were destroyed.<ref name="japantravelinfo" /> Himeji Castle was abandoned in 1871 and some of the castle corridors and gates were destroyed to make room for Japanese army [[barracks]].<ref name="guidebook" /><ref name="castleexplorer" /> The entirety of the castle complex was slated to be demolished by government policy, but it was spared by the efforts of Nakamura Shigeto, an army colonel.<ref name="guidebook" /> A stone monument honoring Nakamura was placed in the castle complex within the first gate, the {{nihongo|Hishi Gate|菱の門|Hishinomon}}.<ref name="guidebook" /><ref name=map>{{cite web |url=http://www.city.himeji.lg.jp/guide/castle/enjoy.html|title=世界遺産姫路城 城の楽しみ方|access-date=May 18, 2016}}</ref> Although Himeji Castle was spared, Japanese castles had become obsolete and their preservation was costly.<ref name="guidebook" />

[[File:Château de Himeji01.jpg|thumb|200px |alt=Photo of the front of the castle complex |Front view of the castle complex]]

[[File:Old map of Himeji castle.jpg|thumb|200px |alt=A 1761 depiction of the castle complex |A 1761 depiction of the castle complex]]

When the [[abolition of the han system|han feudal system was abolished]] in 1871, Himeji Castle was officially designated for military use in 1872.<ref>{{cite book |last1=森山 |first1=英一 |title=名城と維新 : 維新とその後の城郭史 |date=1970 |publisher=日本城郭資料館出版会 |location=Tokyo |url=https://dl.ndl.go.jp/pid/12284340/1/78 |access-date=30 December 2024 |ref=10.11501/12284340}}</ref> By 1874, it briefly served as the headquarters for the 10th Infantry Regiment before being replaced by the Osaka Sendai unit later that year.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Maejima |first1=Michiko |title=A Study of Late 19th Century Military Bases and Barracks of the Former Army of Japan |journal=Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering |date=24 Oct 2018 |volume=7 |issue=2 |page=157 |doi=10.3130/jaabe.7.155 |doi-access=free }}</ref> Efforts to preserve the castle began in 1877, but it wasn't until 1910 that the government provided funding for a comprehensive restoration project.<ref>{{cite book |last1=森山 |first1=英一 |title=名城と維新 : 維新とその後の城郭史 |date=1970 |publisher=日本城郭資料館出版会 |location=Tokyo |url=https://dl.ndl.go.jp/pid/12284340/1/78 |access-date=30 December 2024 |ref=10.11501/12284340}}</ref>

[[Himeji, Hyōgo|Himeji]] was heavily bombed in 1945, at the end of [[World War II]], and although most of the surrounding area was burned to the ground, the castle survived intact.<ref name="unesco" /> One [[Firebombing|firebomb]] was dropped on the top floor of the castle but [[Dud|failed to explode]].<ref name="bestwestern">{{cite web |url=http://www.youmustbetrippin.com/are_we_there_yet/restoring_a_japanese_treasure.php |title=Restoring a Japanese Treasure |author=Lowe, Sam |date=May 11, 2010 |publisher=Best Western's Travel Blog |access-date=July 11, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100524144109/http://www.youmustbetrippin.com/are_we_there_yet/restoring_a_japanese_treasure.php |archive-date=May 24, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In order to preserve the castle complex, substantial repair work was undertaken starting in 1956, with a labor expenditure of 250,000 [[man-hour|man-days]] and a cost of 550 million yen.<ref name="guidebook" /><ref name="castleexplorer" /> In January 1995, the city of Himeji was substantially damaged by the [[Great Hanshin earthquake]], but Himeji Castle again survived virtually undamaged, demonstrating remarkable earthquake resistance.<ref name="japanatlas" /> Even the bottle of [[sake]] placed on the altar at the top floor of the keep remained in place.<ref name="japanatlas" />

=== Historical recognition ===
Himeji Castle was registered on 11 December 1993 as one of the first [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]]s in Japan.<ref name="guidebook" /><ref name="japantravelinfo" /><ref name="unesco" /> Five structures of the castle are also designated [[National Treasures of Japan|National Treasures]]: The {{nihongo|[[Tenshu|main keep]]|大天守|daitenshu}},<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.city.himeji.lg.jp/s110/2212786/_5222/_5237/_5239/_5242.html|title=姫路城大天守|access-date=May 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624065926/http://www.city.himeji.lg.jp/s110/2212786/_5222/_5237/_5239/_5242.html|archive-date=June 24, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.himeji-kanko.jp/en/sightseeing/himeji_castle.html|title=National Treasure, World Heritage, Himeji Castle|access-date=May 18, 2016|archive-date=February 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170215001824/http://www.himeji-kanko.jp/en/sightseeing/himeji_castle.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> {{nihongo|northwest small keep|乾小天守|inui kotenshu}},<ref name=inui>{{cite web |url=http://www.city.himeji.lg.jp/s110/2212786/_5222/_5237/_5239/_5277.html|title=姫路城乾小天守|access-date=May 18, 2016}}</ref> {{nihongo|west small keep|西小天守|nishi kotenshu}},<ref name=nishi>{{cite web|url=http://www.city.himeji.lg.jp/s110/2212786/_5222/_5237/_5239/_5275.html|title=姫路城西小天守|access-date=May 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624090357/http://www.city.himeji.lg.jp/s110/2212786/_5222/_5237/_5239/_5275.html|archive-date=June 24, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> {{nihongo|east small keep|東小天守|higashi kotenshu}},<ref name=higashi>{{cite web|url=http://www.city.himeji.lg.jp/s110/2212786/_5222/_5237/_5239/_5278.html|title=姫路城東小天守|access-date=May 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624072124/http://www.city.himeji.lg.jp/s110/2212786/_5222/_5237/_5239/_5278.html|archive-date=June 24, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> and {{nihongo|''I'', ''Ro'', ''Ha'', ''Ni''-corridors and kitchen|イ, ロ, ハ, ニの渡櫓附台所1棟|i, ro, ha, ni no watariyagura tsuketari daidokoro 1 to}}.<ref name="himejicity01" /><ref name=yagura>{{cite web|url=http://www.city.himeji.lg.jp/s110/2212786/_5222/_5237/_5239/_5282.html|title=姫路城イ・ロ・ハ・ニの渡櫓附台所1棟|access-date=May 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160508173802/http://www.city.himeji.lg.jp/s110/2212786/_5222/_5237/_5239/_5282.html|archive-date=May 8, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> The area within the middle moat of the castle complex is a designated [[Monuments of Japan|Special Historic Site]].<ref name="guidebook" />

Along with [[Matsumoto Castle]] and [[Kumamoto Castle]], Himeji Castle is considered one of Japan's three premier castles.<ref name="kobayashi" /> It is the most visited castle in Japan, receiving over 2,860,000 visitors in 2015.<ref name="sakurai" /><ref name="japantravelinfo" /> Starting in April 2010, Himeji Castle underwent restoration work to preserve the castle buildings, and reopened to the public on March 27, 2015.<ref name="city.himeji.lg.jp" />

== Design details ==
Himeji Castle is the largest [[Japanese castle|castle in Japan]].<ref name="japantravelinfo" /> It serves as an excellent example of prototypical Japanese castle architecture, containing many of the defensive and architectural features associated with Japanese castles.<ref name="unesco" /> The curved walls of Himeji Castle are sometimes said to resemble giant {{nihongo|fans|扇子|sensu}}, but the principal materials used in the structures are stone and wood.<ref name="guidebook" /><ref name="bornoff2000" /> Feudal {{nihongo|family crests|家紋|[[Mon (emblem)|kamon]]}} are installed throughout the architecture of the building, signifying the various lords that inhabited the castle throughout its history.<ref name="guidebook" />

The specific style of the castle is a ''hirayama'' (平山城 flat hilltop). Two castles that were built during the same time and shared many of the architectural features are [[Matsuyama Castle (Iyo)]] and [[Tsuyama Castle]].

[[File:Himeji-Castle-Painting-Early-Meiji-Period.png|thumb|200px |alt=A depiction of the intricate castle complex |A depiction of the intricate castle complex]]

[[File:Himeji Castle No09 055.jpg|thumb |200px |alt=Photo of the family crest of Ikeda Terumasa |The [[mon (emblem)|family crest]] of [[Ikeda Terumasa]]<ref name="guidebook" />]]

The Himeji Castle complex is located in the centre of [[Himeji, Hyōgo]] on top of a hill called Himeyama, which is {{convert|45.6|m|ft|abbr=on}} above sea level. The castle complex comprises a network of 83 buildings such as storehouses, gates, corridors, and {{nihongo|turrets|櫓|[[Yagura (tower)|yagura]]}}.<ref name="guidebook" /><ref name="map" /> Of these 83 buildings, 74 are designated as Important Cultural Assets: 11 corridors, 16 turrets, 15 gates, and 32 earthen walls.<ref name="japanatlas" /> The highest walls in the castle complex have a height of {{convert|26|m|ft|abbr=on}}.<ref name="guidebook" /> Joining the castle complex is {{nihongo|[[Kōko-en]]|好古園}}, a [[Japanese garden]] created in 1992 to commemorate [[Himeji, Hyōgo|Himeji city]]'s 100th anniversary.<ref name="eokjp">{{cite web|url=http://www.eok.jp/travel/attraction/garden/kokoen |title=Kokoen Garden, Traditional Japanese Garden in Himeji City |publisher=EOK |access-date=July 4, 2010}}</ref>

From east to west, the Himeji Castle complex has a length of {{convert|950|to|1,600|m|ft|abbr=on}}, and from north to south, it has a length of {{convert|900|to|1,700|m|ft|abbr=on}}.<ref name="guidebook" /> The castle complex has a [[circumference]] of {{convert|4200|m|mi|abbr=on}}.<ref name="guidebook" /> It covers an area of 233 hectares (2,330,000 m<sup>2</sup> or 576 acres), making it roughly 50 times as large as the [[Tokyo Dome]] or 60 times as large as [[Koshien Stadium]].<ref name="sakurai" /><ref name="guidebook" /><ref name="unesco" />

The {{nihongo|[[Tenshu|main keep]]|大天守|daitenshu}} at the center of the complex is {{convert|46.4|m|ft|abbr=on}} high, standing {{convert|92|m|ft|abbr=on}} above sea level. Together with the main keep, three {{nihongo|smaller subsidiary keeps|小天守|kotenshu}} form a cluster of towers.<ref name="guidebook" /> Externally, the keep appears to have five floors, because the second and third floors from the top appear to be a single floor; however, it actually has six floors and a basement.<ref name="dk2000" /> The basement of the main keep has an area of {{convert|385|m2|ft2|abbr=on}}, and its interior contains special facilities that are not seen in other keeps, including [[Toilet|lavatories]], a drain board, and a kitchen corridor.<ref name="guidebook" />

The main keep has two pillars, with one standing in the east and one standing in the west.<ref name="guidebook" /> The east pillar, which has a base diameter of {{convert|97|cm|in|abbr=on}}, was originally a single [[fir tree]], but it has since been mostly replaced.<ref name="guidebook" />
<ref>{{cite book|year=2001|title=姫路市史第十四巻別編姫路城|publisher=City of Himeji|location=Himeji City|pages=494}}</ref> The base of the west pillar is {{convert|85|by|95|cm|in|abbr=on}}, and it is made of [[Japanese cypress]].<ref name="guidebook" /> During the [[Shōwa Restoration]] (1956–1964) a Japanese cypress tree with a length of {{convert|26.4|m|ft|abbr=on}} was brought down from the [[Kiso Mountains]] and replaced the old pillar.<ref name="guidebook" /> The tree was broken in this process, so another tree was brought down from [[Mount Kasagata]], and the two trees were joined on the third floor.<ref name="guidebook" />

The first floor of the main keep has an area of {{convert|554|m2|ft2|abbr=on}} and is often called the "thousand-mat room" because it has over 330 [[Tatami]] mats.<ref name="guidebook" /> The walls of the first floor have {{nihongo|weapon racks|武具掛け|bugukake}} for holding [[matchlock]]s and spears, and at one point, the castle contained as many as 280 guns and 90 spears.<ref name="guidebook" /> The second floor has an area of roughly {{convert|550|m2|ft2|abbr=on}}.<ref name="guidebook" />

The third floor has an area of {{convert|440|m2|ft2|abbr=on}} and the fourth floor has an area of {{convert|240|m2|ft2|abbr=on}}.<ref name="guidebook" /> Both the third and fourth floors have platforms situated at the north and south windows called {{nihongo|"stone-throwing platforms"|石打棚|ishiuchidana}}, where defenders could observe or throw objects at attackers.<ref name="guidebook" /> They also have small enclosed rooms called {{nihongo|"warrior hiding places"|武者隠し|mushakakushi}}, where defenders could hide themselves and kill attackers by surprise as they entered the keep.<ref name="guidebook" /> The final floor, the sixth floor, has an area of only {{convert|115|m2|ft2|abbr=on}}.<ref name="guidebook" /> The sixth floor windows now have iron bars in place, but in the feudal period the panoramic view from the windows was unobstructed.<ref name="guidebook" />

=== Defences ===
[[File:Himejijo sama.jpg|thumb |125px |alt=Photo of defensive loopholes in one of the castle walls. Two of the loopholes are rectangle-shaped, one is triangle-shaped, and one is circle-shaped. |Defensive [[embrasure|loopholes]]]]

[[File:Himeji Castle No09 059.jpg|thumb|125px |alt=Photo of two angled chutes or "stone drop windows" on a castle structure |Angled chutes or "stone drop windows"]]

Himeji Castle contains advanced defensive systems from the [[Feudal Japan|feudal period]].<ref name="unesco" /> {{nihongo|[[Arrowslit|Loopholes]]|狭間|sama}} in the shape of circles, triangles, squares, and rectangles are located throughout Himeji Castle, intended to allow defenders armed with [[Tanegashima (Japanese matchlock)|tanegashima]] or [[archery|archers]] to fire on attackers without exposing themselves.<ref name="dk2000" /> Roughly 1,000 loopholes exist in the castle buildings remaining today.<ref name="guidebook" /> Angled chutes called {{nihongo|"stone drop windows"|石落窓|ishi-otoshi-mado}} were also set at numerous points in the castle walls, enabling stones or boiling oil to be poured on the heads of attackers passing by underneath, and white plaster was used in the castle's construction for its resistance to fire.<ref name="turnbull2003">{{cite book |first=Stephen |last=Turnbull |title=Japanese Castles 1540–1640 |year=2003 |publisher=Osprey Publishing |location=Oxford |isbn=978-1-84176-429-0|pages=64}}</ref>

The castle complex included three [[moat]]s, one of which—the outer moat—is now buried.<ref name="bornoff2000" /> Parts of the central moat and all of the inner moats survive.<ref name="bornoff2000" /> The moats have an average width of {{convert|20|m|ft|abbr=on}}, a maximum width of {{convert|34.5|m|ft|abbr=on}}, and a depth of about {{convert|2.7|m|ft|abbr=on}}.<ref name="japanatlas" /> The {{nihongo|Three Country Moat|三国堀|sangoku-bori}} is a {{convert|2500|m2|ft2|abbr=on}} pond which exists inside the castle; one of the purposes of this moat was to store water for use in fire prevention.<ref name="guidebook" />

The castle complex, particularly the {{nihongo|Waist Quarter|腰曲輪|koshikuruwa}}, contains numerous warehouses that were used to store rice, salt, and water in case of a siege.<ref name="guidebook" /> A building known as the {{nihongo|Salt Turret|塩櫓|shioyagura}} <ref name="map" /> was used specifically to store salt, and it is estimated that it contained as many as 3,000 bags of salt when the castle complex was in use.<ref name="guidebook" /> The castle complex also contained 33 wells within the inner moat, 13 of which remain; the deepest of these has a depth of {{convert|30|m|ft|abbr=on}}.<ref name="guidebook" />

[[File:Himeji castle-hishi-no-mon.jpg|thumb|175px |alt=Photo of the large "Diamond Gate" |"Diamond Gate", the first of the castle's 21 remaining gates<ref name="guidebook" />]]

One of the castle's most important defensive elements is the confusing maze of paths leading to the castle's keep.<ref name="dk2000" /> The gates, [[bailey (fortification)|baileys]], and outer walls of the complex are organized so as to confuse an approaching force, causing it to travel in a spiral pattern around the complex on its way to the keep.<ref name="dk2000" /> The castle complex originally contained 84 gates, 15 of which were named according to the Japanese syllabary ''[[iroha]]'' (''I'', ''Ro'', ''Ha'', ''Ni'', ''Ho'', ''He'', ''To'', etc.).<ref name="guidebook" /> At present, 21 gates from the castle complex remain intact, 13 of which are named according to the Japanese syllabary.<ref name="guidebook" />

In many cases, the castle walkways even turn back on themselves, greatly inhibiting navigation.<ref name="turnbull2003" /> For example, the straight distance from the {{nihongo|Hishi Gate|菱の門|hishinomon}}<ref name="map" /> to the {{nihongo|main keep|大天守|daitenshu}} is only {{convert|130|m|ft|abbr=on}}, but the path itself is a much longer {{convert|325|m|ft|abbr=on}}.<ref name="guidebook" /> The passages are also steep and narrow, further inhibiting entry.<ref name="guidebook" /> This system allowed the intruders to be watched and fired upon from the keep during their lengthy approach, but Himeji Castle was never attacked in this manner so the system remains untested.<ref name="unesco" /><ref name="dk2000" /> However, even today with the route clearly marked, many visitors have trouble navigating the castle complex.

== Cultural impact ==
[[File:Blue Himeji Castle at night 09.jpg|thumb|Himeji Castle illuminated at night]]

Himeji Castle is frequently known as ''Hakuro-jō'' or ''Shirasagi-jō'' ("White Egret Castle" or "[[heron|White Heron]] Castle") because of its brilliant white exterior and supposed resemblance to a bird taking flight.<ref name="bornoff2000" /><ref name="dk2000" /> The castle has been featured extensively in foreign and Japanese films, including the [[James Bond (literary character)|James Bond]] movie ''[[You Only Live Twice (film)|You Only Live Twice]]'' (1967), and [[Akira Kurosawa]]'s ''[[Kagemusha]]'' (1980) and ''[[Ran (film)|Ran]]'' (1985).<ref name="kobayashi" /> In the [[Shōgun (1980 miniseries)|television miniseries ''Shōgun'']] (1980) it served as a stand-in for feudal-era [[Osaka Castle]].<ref name="bestwestern" /> In the video games ''[[Civilization Revolution]]'' (2008) and ''[[Civilization V]]'' (2010), Himeji Castle is available to build as a world wonder. It is also to be found as a Great Building in ''[[Forge of Empires]]'' (2012).

In 2023 [[the Lego Group]] launched a 2,125-piece model of Himeji Castle as part of its [[Lego Architecture]] Series.

=== Lore and legend ===

[[File:Himeji castle-Okikui.jpg|thumb |175px |alt=Photo of Okiku's Well |[[The Dish Mansion at Banchō|Okiku's Well]]]]

==== The Dish Mansion at Banchō ====
Himeji Castle is associated with a number of local legends.<ref name="guidebook" /> The well-known ''[[kaidan (parapsychology)|kaidan]]'' (or Japanese [[ghost story]]) of {{nihongo|''[[Banchō Sarayashiki]]''|番町皿屋敷|"[[The Dish Mansion at Banchō]]"}} is set in Edo (Tokyo), but a variant called {{nihongo|''Banshū Sarayashiki''|播州皿屋敷|"The Dish mansion in [[Harima Province]]"}} is set in Himeji Castle. There is a disputed claim that the castle is the ''bona fide'' location of the entire legend, and the alleged Okiku's Well remains in the castle to this day.<ref name="ball2005" /> According to the legend, Okiku was falsely accused of losing dishes that were valuable family treasures, and then killed and thrown into the well.<ref name="guidebook" /> Her ghost remained to haunt the well at night, counting dishes in a despondent tone.<ref name="guidebook" />

==== Osakabehime ====
Himeji Castle is said to be inhabited by the [[yōkai]] [[Osakabehime]], who lives in the castle tower and avoids humans, whom she hates.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last1=Ishikawa|first1=Ichirō|title=Edo bungaku zokushin jiten|last2=石川一郎|publisher=Tōkyōdō Shuppan|year=1989|isbn=4-490-10255-0|edition=Shohan|location=Tōkyō|pages=63|oclc=22591554}}</ref> In some legends, she takes the form of an old woman (or woman in her 30s) in ceremonial, twelve-layered kimono.<ref name="meyer">{{Cite web |last=Meyer |first=Mathew |date= |title=Osakabe hime |url=http://yokai.com/osakabehime/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202010259/http://yokai.com/osakabehime/ |archive-date=2021-02-02 |access-date=2021-02-12 |website=Yokai.com |language=en-US}}</ref> She can read human minds and control lesser animal-like yōkai, ''kenzokushin''.<ref name="meyer"/>

==== Ubagaishi ====
The legend of the {{nihongo|"Old Widow's Stone"|姥が石|Ubagaishi}} is another folklore story associated with the castle.<ref name="guidebook" /> According to the legend, [[Toyotomi Hideyoshi]] ran out of stones when building the original three-story keep, and an old woman heard about his trouble.<ref name="guidebook" /> She gave him her hand millstone even though she needed it for her trade.<ref name="guidebook" /> It was said that people who heard the story were inspired and also offered stones to Hideyoshi, speeding up the construction of the castle.<ref name="guidebook" /> To this day, the supposed stone can be seen covered with a wire net in the middle of one of the stone walls in the castle complex.<ref name="guidebook" />

==== Sakurai Genbei ====
A folklore story is also associated with Sakurai Genbei, who was [[Ikeda Terumasa]]'s master carpenter in the construction of the keep.<ref name="guidebook" /> According to the legend, Sakurai was dissatisfied with his construction, feeling that the keep leaned a little to the southeast.<ref name="guidebook" /> Eventually, he became distraught and climbed to the top of the keep, where he jumped to his death with a chisel in his mouth.<ref name="guidebook" />

== Visitor statistics ==
{{Excessive detail|section|date=January 2025}}
* On 14 April 2009, the total number of visits since the Showa-era restoration surpassed 40 million.<ref>[http://www.47news.jp/CN/200904/CN2009041401000201.html 姫路城、入場者4000万人突破 昭和の大修理から45年で] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140712141534/http://www.47news.jp/CN/200904/CN2009041401000201.html |date=July 12, 2014 }}（共同通信2009年4月14日）</ref>
{{Columns-list|colwidth=20em|
* 1964 – 1,738,000 (Showa-era restoration work completed)
* 1989 – 1,197,000
* 1990 – 811,000
* 1991 – 871,000
* 1992 – 885,000
* 1993 – 1,019,000
* 1994 – 983,000
* 1995 – 695,000
* 1996 – 861,000
* 1997 – 716,000
* 1998 – 792,000
* 1999 – 713,000
* 2000 – 662,000
* 2001 – 708,000
* 2002 – 729,000
* 2003 – 814,000
* 2004 – 771,000
* 2005 – 778,000
* 2006 – 899,000
* 2007 – 1,023,000
* 2008 – 1,195,000
* 2009 – 1,561,000
* 2010 – 458,000 (restoration work started)
* 2011 – 611,000
* 2012 – 711,000
* 2013 – 881,000<ref name=stats>{{cite web|url=http://www.city.himeji.lg.jp/var/rev0/0072/9570/201561913227.pdf|title=平成26年度姫路市入込客数、観光動向・イベントアンケート調査報告書 P3|access-date=May 18, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160616170524/http://www.city.himeji.lg.jp/var/rev0/0072/9570/201561913227.pdf|archive-date=June 16, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
* 2014 – 919,000<ref name="stats" />
* 2015 – 2,860,000 (restoration work completed in March)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yoshiko Yukinaga |title=「姫路城来場者、日本一に。過去最多286万人」 |url=http://mainichi.jp/articles/20160405/k00/00e/040/215000c |url-access=subscription |access-date=13 May 2016 |publisher=Mainichi Shinbun}}</ref>
}}

== Additional information ==
=== National treasures and sister castles ===
Other national treasures (castles) besides Himeji Castle include Matsumoto Castle, Inuyama Castle, Matsue Castle, and Hikone Castle. The sister castles of Himeji Castle are [[Château de Chantilly]] in France and [[Conwy Castle]] in Wales.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.city.himeji.lg.jp/shisei/0000007173.html|title=姫路市{{pipe}}姉妹都市（海外・国内）/姉妹城|website=www.city.himeji.lg.jp/|language=ja|access-date=2021-11-14}}</ref> Castles that were of the same ''hirayama'' hilltop styles are [[Matsuyama Castle (Iyo)]] built in 1603 and [[Tsuyama Castle]].

== Gallery ==
'''Panoramic overview'''<br />
{{Wide image|Himejijou castle grounds.jpg|3=A panoramic view of the castle grounds, with Himeji city in the background}}

'''Views from different angles'''<br />
<gallery perrow="5">
File:Himeji Castle seen from west 02.jpg|The castle complex as seen from the west
File:Himeji castle.JPG|A view of keeps and the lush castle grounds below
File:Himeji castle 0012.jpg|Keeps as seen from the grounds below
File:HimejiCastleAccess.JPG|One of the steep, narrow walkways controlling access to the castle
File:Himeji Castle No09 093.jpg|The keep as seen from within the {{nihongo|inner circle|本丸|honmaru}}
File:Flickr - yeowatzup - Himeji Castle, Himeji, Hyogo, Japan.jpg|{{nihongo|Curved gables|千鳥破風|chidori hafu}}
File:Himeji Castle Japan.jpg
File:Himeji-Castle-below-2017-Luka-Peternel.jpg|Himeji Castle view from below in May 2017
File:Himeji Castle No09 155.jpg|The castle rooftops and surrounding city
File:Himeji Castle No09 125.jpg|A mythical tiger-headed fish called ''shachi'' (鯱). This motif was used atop the castle towers as a talisman for fire prevention.<ref name="dk2000" />
</gallery>

'''Views from the interior'''<br />
<gallery perrow="5">
File:Himeji Castle No09 018.jpg|A window for an [[archery|archer]] or defender using a [[matchlock]]
File:Himeji Castle No09 033.jpg|A hallway
File:Himeji Castle No09 041.jpg|Castle windows
File:Himeji Castle Interior.jpg|Hallway with displays
File:Himeji Castle Hallway.jpg|alt=Himeji Castle wooden hallway|A hallway
</gallery>

'''Views with cherry blossoms'''<br />
<gallery perrow="5">
File:Himeji Castle with cherry blossoms from SouthWest.jpg|Taken at Three Country Moats
File:090411 Himeji Castle Hyogo pref Japan01s10.jpg|Sakura at Himeji Castle
File:Himeji Castle with cherry blossoms from Himeji Zoo.jpg|Taken at Himeji City Zoo
File:Himeji Castle with cherry blossoms from front.jpg|Taken from the south
</gallery><gallery perrow="5">
</gallery><gallery perrow="5">
</gallery>

== See also ==
* [[Kōko-en]], garden joining the castle complex 
* [[List of National Treasures of Japan (castles)]]
* [[List of reportedly haunted locations]]
* [[List of Special Places of Scenic Beauty, Special Historic Sites and Special Natural Monuments]]
* [[List of World Heritage Sites in Japan]]
* [[Tsuyama Castle]] and [[Matsuyama Castle (Iyo)]], also built in the ''hirayama'' (平山城 flat hilltop castle) style

== References ==
{{Reflist|33em}}

;Further reading
*[https://doi.org/10.1017/S0080440118000063 Benesch, Oleg. "Castles and the Militarisation of Urban Society in Imperial Japan," ''Transactions of the Royal Historical Society'', Vol. 28 (Dec. 2018), pp. 107-134.]
*{{cite book |title=Japan's Castles: Citadels of Modernity in War and Peace | last=Benesch |first=Oleg and Ran Zwigenberg |year=2019 |pages=375 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |location=Cambridge |isbn=9781108481946}}
*{{cite book |title=An Encyclopedia of Japanese Castles | last=De Lange |first=William |year=2021 |pages=600 pages|publisher=Toyo Press |location=Groningen |isbn=978-9492722300}}
*{{cite book |title=Castles of the Samurai:Power & Beauty| last=Mitchelhill |first=Jennifer |year=2013|publisher=Kodansha|location=USA| isbn=978-1-56836-512-1}}
*{{cite book |title=Castles in Japan |last=Schmorleitz |first=Morton S. |year=1974 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/castlesinjapan00schm/page/123 123–125] |publisher=Charles E. Tuttle Co. |location=Tokyo |isbn=0-8048-1102-4 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/castlesinjapan00schm/page/123 }}
*{{cite book |title=Japanese Castles | last=Motoo |first=Hinago |year=1986 |publisher=Kodansha |location=Tokyo |isbn=0-87011-766-1}}

== External links ==
{{Commons}}
* {{Official website|https://himejicastle.jp/en/}}
* [https://www.orientalarchitecture.com/sid/182/japan/himeji/himeji-castle Asian Historical Architecture – Himeji Castle]
* [http://www.japanese-castle-explorer.com/castle_profile.html?name=Himeji Japanese Castle Explorer – Himeji Castle]
* [https://whc.unesco.org/pg.cfm?cid=31&id_site=661 UNESCO World Heritage Centre – Himeji Castle]
* [http://web-japan.org/atlas/architecture/arc16.html Japan Atlas: Himeji Castle]

;Video
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2uFc-BeMBg The White Fortress: Himeji-jo] ([[UNESCO]] video on YouTube)
* {{YouTube|Q-o4kUUZ-78|Himeji Castle timelapse}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20111005203846/http://www.in.com/videos/watchvideo-discover-the-himeji-castle-in-japan-5757771.html Discover the Himeji Castle in Japan]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddVbPRgO_50& Virtual tour of Himeji Castle examining its modern history on the Japan's Modern Castles YouTube channel]

{{World Heritage Sites in Japan}}
{{Authority control}}

{{Good article}}

[[Category:1581 establishments in Japan]]
[[Category:Articles containing video clips]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1346]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1581]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1609]]
[[Category:Castles in Hyōgo Prefecture]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Himeji]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Himeji]]
[[Category:Honda clan]]
[[Category:Houses completed in 1618]]
[[Category:Ikeda clan]]
[[Category:Important Cultural Properties of Hyōgo Prefecture]]
[[Category:Kuroda clan]]
[[Category:Maebashi-Matsudaira clan]]
[[Category:National Treasures of Japan]]
[[Category:Okudaira-Matsudaira clan]]
[[Category:Reportedly haunted locations in Japan]]
[[Category:Sakai clan]]
[[Category:Sakakibara clan]]
[[Category:Special Historic Sites]]
[[Category:Toyotomi clan]]
[[Category:World Heritage Sites in Japan]]