goshuin

Castle Hopping: Himeji Castle (October 2026)

My first visit to Himeji Castle. I lost myself in the timber framework of the original keep, then thought of "a bird in a cage" beside the heavy doors of the Hyakken Roka corridor. Five hours of walking still wasn't enough.

2026.10.10

Castle Hopping

Castle Hopping: Himeji Castle Route Map (October 2026)

This route map traces the path I walked around Himeji Castle in photos. From Himeji Station through the Ote-mon Gate, into the keep, past stone walls with their legends, along the Hyakken Roka corridor, through the Ru-no-Mon Gate down to the Sangoku Moat, finishing next door at Kokoen Garden. Here it is, in the order I walked it.

2026.10.10

Castle Walk Route

Castle Hopping: Okayama Castle (October 2026)

Rounded stone walls next to sharp-cornered ones, stones from Inujima, walls buried underground: a solo walk round Okayama Castle in on-off rain.

2026.10.05

Castle Hopping

Castle Hopping: Okayama Castle Route Map (October 2026)

This route map traces the way I walked around Okayama Castle, in photos. From Okayama Ekimae, I took the tram to Shiroshita, explored the stone walls of the Honmaru, plus the stone walls in the underground exhibits, then took the tram back again. The spots appear in the order I took the photos (some of the smaller twists along the way are left out).

2026.10.05

Castle Walk Route