Trip To Himeji

[andres]

This week I had an opportunity to attend a conference in Himeji (姫路), in Hyogo-ken. The venue for the conference was a stone’s throw away from Himeji-jō (Himeji Castle). Yes, it was nice. There was only one problem. I couldn’t understand a word of the talks.

Nantoka nantoka nantoka tampaku.
Desu.

Kaya…. nung walang nakatingin...
Tumakbo ako!!!




Let’s Castle!!!!



Ah, yes.... Himeji Castle.
Quite possibly the most famous of Japan’s castles... and its fame is well deserved. Perched dramatically atop a hill, it is truly an imposing sight.

I took some pictures with my new camera. It was getting late in the day, so some of the shots might be too dark. I hope you like sepia.

http://www.timog.com/gallery/files/3/1/himeji01.jpg



Moat. Stone walls.
Himeji-jō was built with elaborate fortifications, so as to thwart enemy attacks. Funny thing was, it was never attacked.

http://www.timog.com/gallery/files/3/1/himeji02.jpg



Even during the Second World War, it miraculously escaped the bombing that destroyed other parts of Himeji city.

http://www.timog.com/gallery/files/3/1/himeji03.jpg



These are gun holes.

http://www.timog.com/gallery/files/3/1/himeji04a.jpg

http://www.timog.com/gallery/files/3/1/himeji04b.jpg

http://www.timog.com/gallery/files/3/1/himeji04c.jpg


Hard to believe, but most of the structure is still the original one built in fifteen kopong kopong. It is mostly made out of wood and fire-proof plaster.

http://www.timog.com/gallery/files/3/1/himeji05.jpg



I think this is a well (balon).

http://www.timog.com/gallery/files/3/1/himeji06.jpg



Nobody really knows for sure what these things are, but they probably made life in feudal Japan more interesting. Remember, these were the days before janken became popular.

http://www.timog.com/gallery/files/3/1/himeji07.jpg



In the course of its long and colorful history, Himeji-jō fell under the control of many powerful clans, including the Toyotomi, Tokugawa, Honda, Matsudaira, Sakakibara, and Sakai. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Admission to the place is ¥600 (¥480 if you get a coupon from some of the tourist fliers).



Let’s see if we can explore further.

http://www.timog.com/gallery/files/3/1/himeji08.jpg

http://www.timog.com/gallery/files/3/1/himeji09.jpg


For you cinema lovers out there, it might be interesting to learn that a number of famous films have been shot at Himeji-jō. For example, Akira Kurosawa’s classic Ran (1985), and more recently, The Last Samurai, starring Ken Watanabe and Tom Cruise.

The main donjon.

http://www.timog.com/gallery/files/3/1/himeji10.jpg


http://www.timog.com/gallery/files/3/1/himeji11.jpg


The more astute readers will no doubt be asking themselves the question, why?

Why, after starring in The Last Samurai, did Mr. Cruise’s career take such a dramatic turn for the worse?? And is now reduced to jumping on other peoples’ couches?

http://www.timog.com/gallery/files/3/1/himeji12.jpg

http://www.timog.com/gallery/files/3/1/himeji13.jpg


Indeed.
I cannot give you a definite answer, but I can only offer this:

No one knows the darkness that lurks inside a man’s heart.



Schoolgirls. Er... how did this get here?

http://www.timog.com/gallery/files/3/1/himeji14.jpg


Aah... a couple of good studious students whom nobody at all was tailing. Hey look here... a beautiful tree!!


http://www.timog.com/gallery/files/3/1/himeji15.jpg



Trees are awesome aren’t they? They give us shade.






Now where was I?

Himeji-jō... has been given the nickname “white heron castle”, because of its resemblance to a white bird taking flight.

http://www.timog.com/gallery/files/3/1/himeji16b.jpg



Of course, visitors can also enter the main donjon and climb to the very top. But I couldn’t take good pictures inside because it was too dark. Just a warning though, this is obattalion territory.


I encourage everyone to try to visit Himeji-jō, while it is still standing. I think it will be worth your time.

843



Well, here we are. I hope you enjoyed reading my travel essay. Hanggang sa susunod muli!:wave: Bow.

http://www.timog.com/gallery/files/3/1/himeji18.jpg
a.

[Stacie Fil]

Very beautiful pictures and essay too. :D Saw you in the picture. Bit shady thou:) .

[Paul]

'Yan naman! Galing ng pictures tsaka ng virtual tour guide. Inalam mo pa talaga ang istorya ng Himeji-jo a. Sige, abangan ko ang susunod mong travel essay.

Napaka-wholesome pati ng pictures at kwento mo. Ako kasi eto (http://www.photo.net.ph/thumbnails.php?album =1847) pinagkukuha kong pictures kahapon e :D.

[Teddy]

Astig!:cool: I've never seen a castle myself... The closest one here from Tokyo is Odawara-jyou? I should really go see it when the weather gets warmer and cherry trees bloom:)

[reon]

Nice travel essay. You should skip conferences more often. :)

The more astute readers will no doubt be asking themselves the question, why?

Why, after starring in The Last Samurai, did Mr. Cruise’s career take such a dramatic turn for the worse?? And is now reduced to jumping on other peoples’ couches?Natanong ko na rin yan sa sarili ko, hehe.

Hindi ko pa nakikita ang Himeji Castle, yung nasa Nagoya at Osaka lang yata.

[docomo]

WOW! Beautiful!!!

I wonder how it feels to be out there... Although I feel great just by looking at the pic ..it helps me in my contemplation and put some things in perspective... I read once that everything is just a matter of shifting perspectives so that we see the light and not shadows:)
( next time isama mo kami dyan ha;) )

[Janer]

Wow, ang ganda! Thanks for the virtual tour Andres, at in sepia pa ha kaya parang travel back in time. Galing! :king: :king:

Sana sa Osaka or Nagoya naman ang next conference mo, magaganda din yun castles dun d ba :D

[docomo]

Napaka-wholesome pati ng pictures at kwento mo. Ako kasi eto (http://www.photo.net.ph/thumbnails.php?album =1847) pinagkukuha kong pictures kahapon e :D.

.. ganda din ng mga kuha mo paul... parang pang meryenda time naman for the boys..jowk lang:D

[maple]

Hi Andres,

Sepia photos, ang galing mo at ang gaganda nito!!!:king:

thanks for sharing!

maple

[crispee]

Galing ng mga pictures mo Andres. Umpisa pa lang yan diba? We are expecting for more;) Post away.

[andres]

Maraming salamat sa inyong mga replies. :)

Mabuti naman at nagustuhan niyo. Ngayong binabasa ko uli, naisip ko, teka sobrang weird na yata nito, hehehe. Yan ang epekto ng nagsusulat ng madaling araw.

@teddy, hisashiburi, ne.

manong @crispee, sige punta ako dyan sa inyo, gawan natin ng documentary :D

@paul, mukhang okey din gawan ng documentary yan ah :D wala nyan dito eh.

[Janer]

@ Paul

mukhang walang snow dun sa pinuntahan mo kahapon ah. hehe... musta pala yung opening ng apple store? :)

@ Andres

share ko na din at gaya mo din, salamat talaga sa conference at nakakita din ako ng castle. sidetrip sa kumamoto-jo after ng conference sa miyazaki. alam mo naman ang taga-sendai feeling deprived sa castle at yung aoba-jo dito e drawing na lang ang jo, nabomba na daw ng ww II. :D

[puting tainga]

＞Odawara　jou
Oo, pinakamalapit yata, via Tomei express way.
Also, Matsumoto Jo (Nagano Prefecture) is not far away from Tokyo, especially nakatira ka sa Kodaira, western part of Tokyo. (Use Chuo express way.)

Ngunit maraming kastilyo sa bansang Hapon, 4 lang ay designated as "National Treasure."

Himeji Jo (Himeji)
Matsumoto Jo (Nagano)
Inuyama Jo (Shiga)
Hikone Jo (Gifu)

Any member living near these places?

[crispee]

manong @crispee, sige punta ako dyan sa inyo, gawan natin ng documentary images/smilies/biggrin.gif

Hindi kastilyo ang bahay namin Andres! But you welcome for a drink:toast:

[kalypso]

Fabulous photos, andres! Himeji jo is beautiful indeed. Nice writing style too. I like the way you "inject" little humor to your essay. Very light ang dating :thumb: Thanks for sharing. I myself am very much fascinated with castles. In fact, one of my goals is to see all the famous castles in Japan.:)

[mcgregor]

"Trees are awesome aren’t they? They give us shade."

hehe. ang galing-galing! nakaka-inspire.

:dowave:

give us more of ur travel essay :D

[ichimar]

This week I had an opportunity to attend a conference in Himeji (姫路), in Hyogo-ken. The venue for the conference was a stone’s throw away from Himeji-jō (Himeji Castle). Yes, it was nice. There was only one problem. I couldn’t understand a word of the talks.

Nantoka nantoka nantoka tampaku.
Desu.

Kaya…. nung walang nakatingin...
Tumakbo ako!!!




Let’s Castle!!!!



Ah, yes.... Himeji Castle.
Quite possibly the most famous of Japan’s castles... and its fame is well deserved. Perched dramatically atop a hill, it is truly an imposing sight.

I took some pictures with my new camera. It was getting late in the day, so some of the shots might be too dark. I hope you like sepia.

http://www.timog.com/gallery/files/3/1/himeji01.jpg



Moat. Stone walls.
Himeji-jō was built with elaborate fortifications, so as to thwart enemy attacks. Funny thing was, it was never attacked.

http://www.timog.com/gallery/files/3/1/himeji02.jpg



Even during the Second World War, it miraculously escaped the bombing that destroyed other parts of Himeji city.

http://www.timog.com/gallery/files/3/1/himeji03.jpg



These are gun holes.

http://www.timog.com/gallery/files/3/1/himeji04a.jpg

http://www.timog.com/gallery/files/3/1/himeji04b.jpg

http://www.timog.com/gallery/files/3/1/himeji04c.jpg


Hard to believe, but most of the structure is still the original one built in fifteen kopong kopong. It is mostly made out of wood and fire-proof plaster.

http://www.timog.com/gallery/files/3/1/himeji05.jpg



I think this is a well (balon).

http://www.timog.com/gallery/files/3/1/himeji06.jpg



Nobody really knows for sure what these things are, but they probably made life in feudal Japan more interesting. Remember, these were the days before janken became popular.

http://www.timog.com/gallery/files/3/1/himeji07.jpg



In the course of its long and colorful history, Himeji-jō fell under the control of many powerful clans, including the Toyotomi, Tokugawa, Honda, Matsudaira, Sakakibara, and Sakai. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Admission to the place is ¥600 (¥480 if you get a coupon from some of the tourist fliers).



Let’s see if we can explore further.

http://www.timog.com/gallery/files/3/1/himeji08.jpg

http://www.timog.com/gallery/files/3/1/himeji09.jpg


For you cinema lovers out there, it might be interesting to learn that a number of famous films have been shot at Himeji-jō. For example, Akira Kurosawa’s classic Ran (1985), and more recently, The Last Samurai, starring Ken Watanabe and Tom Cruise.

The main donjon.

http://www.timog.com/gallery/files/3/1/himeji10.jpg


http://www.timog.com/gallery/files/3/1/himeji11.jpg


The more astute readers will no doubt be asking themselves the question, why?

Why, after starring in The Last Samurai, did Mr. Cruise’s career take such a dramatic turn for the worse?? And is now reduced to jumping on other peoples’ couches?

http://www.timog.com/gallery/files/3/1/himeji12.jpg

http://www.timog.com/gallery/files/3/1/himeji13.jpg


Indeed.
I cannot give you a definite answer, but I can only offer this:

No one knows the darkness that lurks inside a man’s heart.



Schoolgirls. Er... how did this get here?

http://www.timog.com/gallery/files/3/1/himeji14.jpg


Aah... a couple of good studious students whom nobody at all was tailing. Hey look here... a beautiful tree!!


http://www.timog.com/gallery/files/3/1/himeji15.jpg



Trees are awesome aren’t they? They give us shade.






Now where was I?

Himeji-jō... has been given the nickname “white heron castle”, because of its resemblance to a white bird taking flight.

http://www.timog.com/gallery/files/3/1/himeji16b.jpg



Of course, visitors can also enter the main donjon and climb to the very top. But I couldn’t take good pictures inside because it was too dark. Just a warning though, this is obattalion territory.


I encourage everyone to try to visit Himeji-jō, while it is still standing. I think it will be worth your time.

843



Well, here we are. I hope you enjoyed reading my travel essay. Hanggang sa susunod muli!:wave: Bow.

http://www.timog.com/gallery/files/3/1/himeji18.jpg
a.hello andres,ang gaganda ng mga pictures,2yrs ago,my husband and i went to himeji,2 hours driving,mula sa bahay namin,konti lang ang picture namin,at di kasing gaganda ng kuha mo...pero talagang maganda ang himeji castle,sana nga makabalik ulit kami...:)