Himeji

Our last day trip was to Himeji.

If you take a look back on the map I posted a few posts back, you'll see that we've been following the JR Sanyo line mostly, as it goes to Osaka. It's perfect for poor college students. I'll make a final post about it at the end of this long set of blog posts.

Himeji Castle

Himeji is known for the large white castle featured in James Bond 007. It's used in many foreign movies as the typical 'Japanese place' as the Eifle Tower is used to depict Paris. It is known as the building that looks like a white crane, as it has the appearance of a bird taking flight.

One of the main gates

The castle was under construction so we were not allowed in the main keep (which is main feature usually) but this castle was huge. Not to mention the rained stopped just as we got there and the day turned out beautiful.
Those dots on the top are crows, which made this castle even more creepy like. As to preserve it's beauty, it constantly undergoes reconstruction. If you have noticed, the castles I post are either white, or black. Kumamoto Castle, one of the first castles I posted about, is jet black.

Inside Hallway

 As this castle is a fortress, there were many look out holes (not just windows) that arrows could be fired from, or guns, when they were introduced. Also, as like every other castle, you have to take your shoes off open entering! No shoes!

**Admission for the castles I have been to are usually 600yen or less. They rip off a tiny piece of the larger ticket which has a beautiful picture of the place you are going and therefore is a lovely keep sake! Larger shrines do this as well. Many historical places in Japan are close to free!**

This is not a castle. This is death. This thing is about the size of my palm and is on every tree. More like five per tree. They are terrifying and annoying. Their stupid 'ween ween' noise alerts me that it is bloody hot out. Just look at how gross this nasty thing is.