About Himeji -1Himeji
Himeji is located at the center of the Harima Plain in the southwestern part of Hyogo
Prefecture. Surrounded by mountains and the Seto Inland sea. Himeji has developed asa transportation hub of western Japan. Blessed with a mild climate and natural beauty,
the city has realized excellent cultural characteristics through its long history as acastle town. Since Himeji became a city in April 1889, its population has increased
together with expansion of the city area, and now currently exceeds 540,000, including
more than 10,000 international residents. While evolving as a center for economics,culture and education in the Harima region, the city now comprises a large economic
and cultural block in the region.

Himeji Castle -World Heritage-

TOURIST SPOT

In 1993 Himeji Castle was designated as
Japan’s first World Cultural Heritage site. It is
the finest surviving example of early
17th-century Japanese castle architecture,comprising 83 buildings with highly developed
systems of defense and ingenious protection
devices dating from the beginning of theShogun period. It is a masterpiece ofconstruction in wood, combining function withaesthetic appeal, both in its elegant
appearance unified by the white plasteredearthen walls and in the subtlety of therelationships between the building masses andthe multiple roof layers. The castle is also
called Shirasagi-jo (White Egret Castle)
because of its beautiful white exterior.

TOURIST SPOT

Koko-en Garden
Kokoen, the Nishi-Oyashiki-ato garden, opened
in 1992 and shares the landscape with theWorld Cultural Heritage Himeji Castle. It is a
traditional round-the-pond style Japanesegarden, designed to make the best use of thelayout of the Nishi-Oyashiki-ato, former
samurai residences and paths discovered byarcheological excavation. Each time you passthrough a gate or cross a moat, one of the ninedifferent gardens presents itself. It is a popularlocation for shooting historical Japanesedramas. Sojuan teahouse in the Tea Garden,
built in the sukiya architectural style, offers
matcha tea for ¥500 per person.
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About Himeji -2Shoshazan Engyoji Temple

TOURIST SPOT

Shoshazan Engyoji Temple is an ancient Tendai
sect temple, established by the priest Shoku in966. The complex of buildings is at the top ofMt. Shosha approximately 25 minutes by bus
from Himeji Station. The mountain summit canbe reached by either a one-mile hiking trail orMt. Shosha Ropeway, and it is often visited bypilgrims. Scenes from The Last Samurai werefilmed here.

TOURIST SPOT

Nearby islands
The ieshima are a collection of 44 islands justoff the coast of Himeji City in the Seto Inland
Sea. Of the islands, just four are large enoughto be inhabited, and of these, Ieshima is thelargest.
The Ieshima Jukkei is a collection of ten scenic
spots that can be found across the islands.
Spots include the site of old castle ruins onIeshima and other Edo-period remains. Theislands can be accessed by a ferry from Himeji
Port.

Himeji Cuisine

GOURMET

There are many local cuisine you can enjoy in Himeji. Try out some “Himeji Oden” with ginger
soy sauce and Japanese Sake made by the selected sake-brewing rice such as Yamada
Nishiki and Hyogo Yume Nishiki.

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