HIMEJI CASTLE, HYOGO PREFECTURE, CAFÉ DE MIKI WITH HELLO KITTY
Himeji Castle is one of my favourite castles in Japan. It's the first castle I've visited in Japan when I was 12 years old. My family and I usually go here for an afternoon stroll. I've been in this area way too many times but it's my first time to introduce it to everyone and hopefully encourages you to visit too.
It's somewhat cheaper here than other character cafés. When Q~pot announced their upcoming Sailor Moon collaboration, the prices were raised to ¥2000-¥3000 for desserts.
My favourite café in Himeji is this tiny, quaint, hidden place. As it serves many memories when I lived in Hyogo ken (prefecture) such as my friend was able to exhibit a gallery of her photos of Burning Man, an event which takes place in a dessert in the U.S.
Beside it, is another bookstore, which mostly sell children's book. I love dropping by here after hanging out at my favourite café for hours.
It's around 15 minute walk from the station to Himeji castle, so you'll definitely could see Café de Miki with Hello Kitty or my favourite café (if you find it) along the way.
Himeji is actually one of the three premier castles in Japan along with Matsumoto (see previous post here) and Kumamoto castle. In 1993, it was named as one of the first UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Japan.
When I was told about the history of Himeji castle, I got interested about the character of Sen Hime (hime means princess in Japanese). Sen hime was just 7 years old when she married Toyotomi Hideyori and they lived in Osaka castle. Their relationship didn't last that long as Sen Hime's grandfather besieged Osaka castle (I'm really curious why but it's understandable that that time was all about wars and clans) that lead to Hideyori's suicide (with his mother and Sen Hime's child with him). Sen Hime was said to be rescued by Sakazaki Naomori because it was promised by Sen Hime's grandfather that whoever saves the princess, could marry her. However in 1616, it Sen Hime was asked to marry Honda Tadatoki instead of her saviour because he was more powerful (based on Sen Hime's grandfather's POV) and more handsome (based on Sen Hime's POV). Her saviour Naomori planned to escape with Sen Hime before she remarries to fulfil his desire to marry her but he was captured and was either killed of forced to commit suicide. According to legends, Naomori's face got burnt while saving Sen Hime from Osaka Castle.
When I was told about the history of Himeji castle, I got interested about the character of Sen Hime (hime means princess in Japanese). Sen hime was just 7 years old when she married Toyotomi Hideyori and they lived in Osaka castle. Their relationship didn't last that long as Sen Hime's grandfather besieged Osaka castle (I'm really curious why but it's understandable that that time was all about wars and clans) that lead to Hideyori's suicide (with his mother and Sen Hime's child with him). Sen Hime was said to be rescued by Sakazaki Naomori because it was promised by Sen Hime's grandfather that whoever saves the princess, could marry her. However in 1616, it Sen Hime was asked to marry Honda Tadatoki instead of her saviour because he was more powerful (based on Sen Hime's grandfather's POV) and more handsome (based on Sen Hime's POV). Her saviour Naomori planned to escape with Sen Hime before she remarries to fulfil his desire to marry her but he was captured and was either killed of forced to commit suicide. According to legends, Naomori's face got burnt while saving Sen Hime from Osaka Castle.
They set up a kawaii photo studio free for everyone. Although it was set up for kids, feel free to check it out. After all, we are all forever young. This studio is an awesome idea as we always pay to be able to shoot in studios. Good job, Himeji!
Aside from Himeji Castle, there are other spots for tourists to visit: 1. Kokoen, a Japanese garden located beside Himeji Castle. It's most beautiful during spring and autumn of course and there's an entrance fee!
2. Shoshazan Engyoji where some parts of the movie "The Last Samurai" were taken here specifically at Daikodo (main hall where Jikido and Jogyodo are.) See my previous post about it here.
3. Himeji City Zoo - nothing really special but I went there before.
4. And more: Himeji City Museum of Art, Museum of Literature, Hyogo Prefectural Museum of History, Harimanokunishosha, Japan Toy Museum, Nagoyama Stupa
Check www.himeji-kanko.jp/en for more info
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