Day 12 - Himeji Castle + Kyoto Daimonji Festival

Had breakfast at the hotel today. Hmmm. Not very good. I was disappointed actually but we were going on a day trip to visit the Himeji Castle (one hour away from Osaka) so we stuck to whatever that was convenient.

Got on the way and tried to buy the JR west kansai one day pass but I had left my passport back at the hotel! Ugh. I had to go back to the hotel in the end to get it. What a damper.

Anyway, back to Himeji Castle. Himeji Castle, also called Shirasagijo (White Heron Castle) due to its white outer walls, is the best preserved castle in all of Japan. A classic example of Japanese castle architecture, Himeji Castle has never been damaged by warfare, even during the Second World War. That is one of the reasons why Himeji Castle has kept its original form for nearly 400 years. In 1993, Himeji Castle was registered on UNESCO's World Heritage list.





Really beautiful and well preserved. We walked around the castle grounds and proceeded to the main castle building where it acts as a museum of some sort, showcasing the artworks and other belongings of the Shoguns who ruled this castle. I was very amazed at how well well kept the items were. This was one of the artworks showcased in the castle



And at the 6th floor of the castle (the top) where you can see the city of Himeji.



We spent half the day at Himeji and ate at Macdonald's before heading to Kyoto to catch the Daimonji Festival. Daimonji Festival happens every year on August 16 where beds of fire in the shape of the Kanji 'Big' are prepared and lit by monks. Also considered the most magnificent of Kyoto's August Obon festivities.