姫路城の見所 Recommended spot

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  Hishi no Mon (Gate)

  From San no maru though to Ni no Maru, it is the largest gate in the castle and has Hish no Mon(lozenge shaped crests) carved in the wood of the cross bar.
  This gate is unique with elegant Katou-mado(top arched windows), and frequently appears in historical Japanese TV dramas.
  Notice also the series of crenellated walls to counter enemy attacks, the "Sama" on both sides.

• Sangoku Bori(Moat)

  Just inside the Hish no Mon is a 31m square moat.
  Although it was originally a dry moat, it has become filled with rainwater.
  An exquisite view of the Donjon can be seen from the side of this moat, and is an excellent spot for taking photographs.
  On a clear day the castle is reflected in the mort.

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  Nagatsubone(Long hallway)

  The building that surrounds the Chu-Shoin of Nishi no Maru has a periphery of 300m.
  Sen-hime or Princess Sen's maids lived in the Tsubone(rooms) lining the long hallway.

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  Kesho Yagura(Turret)

  Princess Sen's resting room. She used this room for dressing up and redoing her makeup before praying to Mt. Otoko from the Naga Tsubone. It was laid with Tatami (straw matting) for comfort and was rather palatial.
  Apart from the residential building, this was the only ornate and comfortable building.

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  Kotenshu(smaller donjon)

  The three smaller donjon in the "East", "West", and "Inui(North-West)" sides of the Daitenshu(main donjon) are connected by corridors.
  Only Himeji Castle has existing coalition castle donjon throughout Japan.
  While having defenses such as Ishi-otoshi(stone throwing) and Musha-Koushi-Mado(grilled defense window), its elegance compares favorably with the Daitenshu.

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  Daitenshu(main donjon)

  The main donjon of height 31.5ｍ is built on a tensyu-dai(stone wall) of 14.85ｍ in height. It is located at the top of Mt. Hime which is 45.6m high, so is actually 92m above sea-level.
  Although externally it appears to be only 5 stories high, it is actually 7 levels from the basement to the top floor.
  The dignified main donjon is supported by 2 large pillars in the east and west.
  They continue from the basement to just under the sixth floor.

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  Shinbashira(Large western pillar)

  As the large western pillar was found to berotten inside, it was replaced during the "thorough Showa Era repairs"(1956-1963)

• Musha Kakushi(warriors' hiding-place)

  On the 3rd floor of Tenshu-kaku(donjon) there are rooms in the four corners.
  These were made to hide warriors in ready to corner-attack enemies.

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  Taikaku Yagura（Harakiri maru）

  As it has a high platform that resemble s where a corner sits at a Samurai suicide and a well in the garden, it started being called "hara-kiri maru" (suicide place for Samurai) at some time in its long history.

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  Tunnel Gate

  A small gate called an Ana Mon (Tunnel or Hole Gate) was made between the stone walls.
  It is also called a Buried Gate because the tunnel can be buried in emergencies to prevent invasions.

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  Ougi no Koubai(Arc-shaped slope)

  Most of the stone walls in Himeji Castle are arc-shaped, similar in shape to an open Ougi(fan).
  This is in strategic consideration of being invaded.

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  Sama

  Loopholes can be seen everywhere around the castle. These are actually a necessary part of the defense system made in the moat and donjon for shooting at enemies.
  They were made in various shapes such as squares, circles, and triangular, and correspond to the type of weapon, and of course for ornamental purposes.