Himeji

Himeji is a city in Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan, located in the Kansai region of Honshu. It lies on the edge of the Harima Plain and is known for its historic castle and as a regional center for western Hyōgo. The population is in the hundreds of thousands.

The city grew around Himeji Castle, a hilltop fortress whose main construction took place in the early 17th century under Ikeda Terumasa. The castle, with its white plaster walls, became a powerful symbol of Sengoku- and Edo-period feudal states and is designated as a national treasure.

The castle is complemented by the Koko-en garden, created in front of the castle in 1992 as a traditional strolling garden. The nearby Engyo-ji temple on Mount Shosha is a historic complex reached by ropeway; it gained popularity after appearing in films such as The Last Samurai. Himeji hosts other local museums and cultural facilities.

Tourism anchored by the castle and gardens is a major part of the economy. Himeji is served by JR West rail lines, including the Sanyo Main Line and Sanyo Shinkansen, plus local railways, providing access to Osaka, Kobe, and Okayama.