[I want to see Himeji castle from all angles!] Rediscovering the charm of the castle. Enjoy the view when you go jogging or sightseeing.
- Work out
- The one and only
- Tried
- With the family
- History
- Culture
- Amazing view
Hyogo Pref.
![[I want to see Himeji castle from all angles!] Rediscovering the charm of the castle. Enjoy the view when you go jogging or sightseeing.](../../upload_img/202105071701222039060851.jpg)
“Himeji castle” was registered as the first UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Japan.
Have you seen the castle from the side or back?
This article is written by me, who completed a full marathon at the age of 24, 29 and 34, every five years to inspire myself. This year, I’m turning 39, the year to try a full marathon.
Due to Covid-19, marathon events were called off one after another. The big event on which I was wagering my life was called off, too.
Well then, let me show you Himeji castle from all angles, you may want to jog around the castle.
Have you seen the castle from the side or back?
This article is written by me, who completed a full marathon at the age of 24, 29 and 34, every five years to inspire myself. This year, I’m turning 39, the year to try a full marathon.
Due to Covid-19, marathon events were called off one after another. The big event on which I was wagering my life was called off, too.
Well then, let me show you Himeji castle from all angles, you may want to jog around the castle.
Map showing the area around Himeji castle
Took the route below to take pictures. *GPS data
Starting from front of the castle, I jogged around the castle anti-clockwise (from the east to west side of the castle) to take pictures.
Point A on the map: Front of the castle, “Ootemon” gate and “Sakuramon bashi” bridge
About 1.5 million people visit Himeji castle every year. I think about one in ten people in Japan may be able to respond that the castle in this picture is Himeji castle. At an annual event “Himeji castle Marathon”, you cross “Sakuramon bashi” bridge shown in the picture, and then run towards “Sannomaru hiroba” square within the castle walls. After running over 40 km, which is the toughest part of a marathon, you run towards the castle squeezing out last bit of your strength.
Point B on the map: I’m standing diagonally in front of the castle (on the way to the east side).
A popular spot for taking pictures, “Shiromidai kouen” park. You can see the castle over statues of “Shachihoko”, an imaginary creature with the head of a tiger and the body of a carp. Actually, these statues of “Shachihoko” are displayed at several places around Himeji station. It’ll be fun to look for them when you go jogging.
Point C on the map: East side of Himeji castle
This is also a popular spot for taking pictures, where you can see the castle over “Himeji City Museum of Art”. The castle with a red brick building.
Point D on the map: I’m standing diagonally backward (east side) of the castle.
I’m standing on the east side of the castle and this is the back of the castle. The view of the castle from here is well-known but to the few, so this view may not be familiar with most people. There is a square owned by “Hyogo Prefectural Museum of History”, and you have a good view of the castle.
Point E on the map: Stopped by at “Himeji Higashi fire station”
There is “Himeji Higashi fire station” nearby, its quaint building draws people’s attention. It is the nearest fire station from the castle and watching over it as “the fire station to protect the castle”, however, it is considered to rebuild the fire station from 2024, due to deterioration of the building.
Point F on the map: Back of the castle
Turnaround point, this is the back of Himeji castle. I hadn’t seen it from the back very well before, but it had a heavy atmosphere as though to prevent attackers from the back. If the front of the castle displays the “strength”, the back looks like a person “says in the back”, refusing entries.
Point G on the map: I’m standing diagonally backward (west side) of the castle.
Actually, I hadn’t seen the castle from this angle. Shut off from the bustle of the sightseeing spot, it was a quiet place covered with trees.
On this side, there is an alley called “Senhime no Komichi”, which is named after “Lady Sen”, a granddaughter of “Tokugawa Ieyasu”. This is an unpaved walkway, where you can enjoy scenery of each season, such as scarlet maple leaves and cherry blossom.
On this side, there is an alley called “Senhime no Komichi”, which is named after “Lady Sen”, a granddaughter of “Tokugawa Ieyasu”. This is an unpaved walkway, where you can enjoy scenery of each season, such as scarlet maple leaves and cherry blossom.
Point H on the map: I’m standing diagonally (west side) in front of the castle.
View of the castle from a Japanese garden, “Koko-en”. Though I said “all angles”, I skipped the view of the castle from east side because there were moat and many trees on east side and couldn’t see the castle very well.
While taking pictures around the castle, I discovered many things and started to think “It may not be enough if I just showed pictures”.
So, I made a time-lapse video so that you can feel as if you are going around the castle with me to enjoy various views.
In the first half of the video, I ran around the castle. One lap is approx. 1.5 km. *GPS data
While taking pictures around the castle, I discovered many things and started to think “It may not be enough if I just showed pictures”.
So, I made a time-lapse video so that you can feel as if you are going around the castle with me to enjoy various views.
In the first half of the video, I ran around the castle. One lap is approx. 1.5 km. *GPS data
In the latter half of the video, I ran at the Himeji marathon’s goal, “Sannomaru hiroba” square within the castle walls. One lap is approx. 500 m. *GPS data
“Sannomaru hiroba” square within the castle walls
Inside the castle walls, you can run leisurely facing the castle.
When cherry blossom is in full bloom in spring, the white castle, also known as “White Egret Castle”, is surrounded with gentle colour of the petals.
So, I introduced you the attraction of the castle with pictures and a video, but haven’t showed you how it looks from the east side, yet.
【Breathing heavily going up 198 stone steps】I felt great, it’s more than words I can describe. So, what was the view like?
I checked the west side of the castle on the map and found a mountain called “Otokoyama”, then I decided to head to “Himeji City Museum of Literature” nearby. It’s about 1 km from the castle. The building of the museum is designed by Mr. Tadao ANDO and you can learn the history of Himeji there.
Next to the museum, there is “Otokoyama Hachimangu” known as a tutelary shrine of the castle and “Senhime Tenmangu” which Lady Sen (mentioned under the part, “Point G of the map”) worshipped.
Next to the museum, there is “Otokoyama Hachimangu” known as a tutelary shrine of the castle and “Senhime Tenmangu” which Lady Sen (mentioned under the part, “Point G of the map”) worshipped.
I passed the museum, the summit of “Otokoyama” mountain was nearly there, and I came across this stone steps.
I completely forgot but this is the year I was going to try a full marathon, and I saw this almost vertical steps going up to the sky. Each step is about 20 cm high and there are198 of them.
I motivated myself to see the castle from the east side. I changed this year’s plan (to run a 42.195 km full marathon) to go up 198 steps to the summit!
I completely forgot but this is the year I was going to try a full marathon, and I saw this almost vertical steps going up to the sky. Each step is about 20 cm high and there are198 of them.
I motivated myself to see the castle from the east side. I changed this year’s plan (to run a 42.195 km full marathon) to go up 198 steps to the summit!
Going up 198 steps, hard to breath. Then I saw Himeji castle.
I think you can hear that I was out of breath. I suppose it was the first time in five years that I worked this hard in a moment. The alternative plan was tough enough.
Point I on the map: West side of Himeji castle
This is the view of the castle from the west side, I am standing at the same level as the big tower.
Perhaps, there is a reason that you cannot see the castle when you are close to it.
Perhaps, there is a reason that you cannot see the castle when you are close to it.
I set a target of finishing a full marathon every five years, running for five hours will keep me going for another five years. It’s cut to just three minutes. However, looking back at those steps, it was a good once in five years trial because I could write this article with detailed information.
Himeji castle is famous for its brilliant white exterior and known as “White Egret Castle”, but this time I learnt that different people have different ways of enjoying themselves here.
I haven’t planned what to try when I turn 44, yet, but thanks to SPORTS LOCALLY web magazine, I think I can keep this strong will for a year, until I turn 40.
I haven’t planned what to try when I turn 44, yet, but thanks to SPORTS LOCALLY web magazine, I think I can keep this strong will for a year, until I turn 40.
【Fully enjoy Himeji for 100 yen a day! 】Eco-friendly sightseeing with “Hime chari (Hime bike)”
I rented this bicycle to go to point I on the map, where I captured the castle from the west side.
How about renting this convenient bicycle when you go sightseeing around Himeji castle?
How about renting this convenient bicycle when you go sightseeing around Himeji castle?
There are 20 bike rental spots around Himeji castle, where you can rent a bicycle for 100 yen per hour. If you return the bike (to any of the bike rental spots) within an hour, it won’t cost you any extra fee no matter how many times you rent it on the same day.
It’s about 1 km from the rental spot by the castle to the rental spot near “Point I on the map”, and it took me only 10 minutes to get there, thus, it’s within “100 yen zone”.
It’s about 1 km from the rental spot by the castle to the rental spot near “Point I on the map”, and it took me only 10 minutes to get there, thus, it’s within “100 yen zone”.
There is a bike rental spot in front of “Hyogo Prefecture Budoukan”, where the World Masters Games’ Taekwondo competition will be held. As an example, if you rent a bicycle near Himeji station and return it to a bike rental spot by “Hyogo Prefecture Budoukan” within 60 minutes, it costs you 100 yen. Then, if you rent a bicycle there after the competition (on the same day) and return it to the bike rental spot near the castle within 60 minutes, it’s 0 yen! Very economical and healthy way to go sightseeing in Himeji.
Official website of “Hime chari”
Official website of “Hime chari”
The sports and disciplines
of the World Masters
Games 2021 Kansai
held in the neighbourhood.
Introducing the poster
Daisuke MAZE
I like sports very much and I enjoy good cuisine! And I like going under the water even more! I am a scuba diving instructor, personal trainer, reporter from a local media, etc., I am an active person doing various things in Himeji City in Hyogo Prefecture.
While I keep myself busy every day, I’m very serious about coffee, starting off with grinding beans and “organize” my mind.
While I keep myself busy every day, I’m very serious about coffee, starting off with grinding beans and “organize” my mind.
![Sneaking into the “great base of table tennis” in the underground passage of Kobe station! – Do you know the “Metro Table tennis” located underground? – [The latter part]](../../upload_img/202101081716431687500440.jpg)
