September 14-15: Himeji

Brendan Again.



The ride from Kobe to Himeji was a nightmare except for a brief moment when we passed Awaji Island bridge above. We could not find the bike path suggested by the cycle Japan crew and so had to ride on the road shoulder in very busy traffic. We made it in the end but we needed a rest day. What better way to spend it then in Himeji Castle, The white Herron.

The drain covers reflected the roots of the castle name. It is said to shimmer in the sun light like a white herron because of it's white plastered walls.





The sweep of the wall is said to resemble the sweep of a folding fan. I think it was called the folding fan wall. Imaginative bunch the guys who named it aren't they.



The castle is said to be a great example of the castles of Japan with it's high stone foundations and white walls and rings of defensive structure. Bloody tiring to walk around. It was built on the idea of a spiral in plan so you walk in a gate then turn left and continue around until you get to another gate and so on, climbing the natural hill it was built on.



This little guy didn't know I was there. He was just drawing muskets.



A well. There is suppose to be a ghost haunting one of the wells in Himeji Castle. I didn't see her around. She was said to be a maid that foiled an attempted assasination on her lord but was in the end framed for a petty crime by the would-be assasins. Any crime at the time seemed to mean death so she was killed by her lord and thrown into the well. She is said to wander around looking to avenge her death. Spooky.



I then went to the Himeji Museum designed by Kenzo Tange and saw all these models of castles around Japan. I don't think I need to see anymore castles.



This was an example of a very good mixed use bicycle path around the castle walls. Pedestrians, bicycles, planting then cars.



Naomi didn't come to the castle with me. She chilled at the hotel doing internet stuff.