Today was day I had decided to start using the JR pass so ONWARD! First goal was Himeji castle which would also serve as stepping point toward next target, Nagasaki. In itself Himeji is decent target for day trip if you want to see just the castle, adjacent park and don't mind early wake up and late return.
So having everything packed and ready I left my home and headed toward Shinagawa and the shinkansens there. Been a while since I used those! Unfortunately there was not much time between getting there and shinkansen leaving so had little time to look for breakfast. Bought something that looked like bento box and it was instead some cakes...Bummer.
Had took with me plenty of manga to keep me busy while in Shinkansen. Kuroko no basuke is also soon over :( Last volume released on december(after I have left here...BUMMER!)
That's my "bento box".
Well luckily staff inside shinkansen sold food as well so got myself a breakfast.
Think that's octopus...Think I prefer mine in small pieces inside tasty ball. Taste not bad but the rubbery sense while chewing...Uhhuh.
Having ridden in Shinkansen for a while got bored of looking outside and started reading the manga. At one point I then looked outside and saw this tall mountain. I had suspicion what it was but quickly verified it from the adjacent guy and he verified my suspicion.
Fujisan da yo! Fujisan! I finally got sight of the Fuji mountain! Funny I never saw it last year. Guess I was always sitting on wrong side and after travelling few times didn't pay attention to views outside.
Did make me think am I mad really planning to climb over there! Hiiiiiigh!
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So eventually I ordered myself can of beer and was generally enjoying my time in the shinkansen. Holidays are nice :D Suddenly I however heard "mamonaku himeji ni tsukimasu"(or something to that effect). I was actually arriving! I had thought I still had some 15 minutes but had misremembered timetable. And here I had half drank can of beer(which doesn't stand up on it's own) and I would need to pack before getting to station. Took bit of effort to get myself ready to leave. Haha so much for supposed quiet arrival :D
Arriving to the station I then started looking around for map. I had rough idea where the castle was but figured quick verification could be useful. So where's that map...
Oooooor maybe I could just look...you know? FORWARD? Can't really miss the castle! :D
Lots of statues among the street. Didn't even go to see the ones on the other side of the road.
After depositing my bag(heavy!) to the hotel(near the castle) I went to walk through shopping street I had seen. Got myself bunch of some sort of cake like things with chocolate filling.
Those are imaginary fish-like things that are supposed to protect castle(these are replicas of the real things) from fire and other natural disasters.
Quite nice weather.
On the way to the castle there was small bansai/flower presentation visible.
V for victory!!!
I did pose without that pose as well :D
He was kind enough to let me take picture of him :D (well I think job description demands him to pose for silly tourists like myself :D)
Unfortunately reconstruction progress on the main castle was still going so off entry but there was access to very long section where ladies in waiting used to live where was lots of history of the castle detailed. As usual we were requested to take off our shoes and carry them in plastic bags. Slipper shoes were available.
Nice looking castle.
Up from the ladies-wing.
Some of the former lords of the castle.
Emergency exit. Steep stairs.
You could reproduce by pencil rubbing symbol of the family that used to control the castle. Hopefully this survives back to Finland!
Nice pathways. I was impressed by how tight seams were. Good woodmanship!
Drawing actually done by the lord of castle. Peaceful enough time for artistic pursues I suppose.
Princess Sen. Sad story she had. Lost her son when boy was 3 year old and suffered miscarriages after that. Tried to ward off curse she was told she was carrying by turning into religion(Japan's) big time but didn't work.
There was room where you couldn't even step with your slippers either but had to walk in your socks instead.
Very real looking human sized dolls were there seemingly playing with cards.
After going through the castle I headed to koukoe park that was nearby. You could buy ticket for both for slight(20%) discount.
Model of the Himeji castle. Nice looking!
Thankfully getting photos of yourself is never a problem here :D People are always willing to do it if you ask politely.
Narrow bridge to walk! Lots of carps in the pond as well.
Tht door is SMALL. See the brown plate at the top of it? (saying watch your head). Height of that is about my chin...
Quite a work done on that small detail. Those kept going for quite a while.
Overall quite a nice park. I was in luck as after arriving from station, going to leave my bag and visiting these Nyutwo targets I was just about ready to check in to the hotel. Had just enough time for quick dinner.
Nyuumen set meal of the day. Some noodles in soup with stuff inside, some rice with more addons inside and something yellow. Not bad meal. Liked particularly the taste of soup itself.
Then I went to check in to hotel. Mere 32 euros or so per night right next to the castle. Quite cheap price for hotel I think. Bit smallish room and not japanese style(boo!) but overall nice room for one night.
Had bought these on my way from castle. Chestnuts! First time I have eaten these. Good!
Couple more shots from the castle:
After this I still had time so I headed toward park I had seen on south of station on google map. Took bit more effort to find it but eventually found it. Unfortunately sun was fast settling down so didn't have too much time to spend walking around it.
Quick selfie at the park :D
Welcome to the park!
Uhhuh. Wonder what tree that is?
Nice view after climbing the stairs.
So far so good.
But doesn't that look a lot like tower of castle?
Pretty!
Sun was settling down. Like the look of sky though.
Got nice view of Himeji city.
Having walked around a bit came across this sight. Wtf. Sure looks a lot like a castle.
Yep. Scaled down but definitely a castle.
No idea what castle it is. Didn't see any signs saying what it is. It just...Was there.
But sure is nice looking!
Weirdest thing around this time. I had come across to view over the city when there came this somewhat sad, haunting pipe music. Not sure why but for longest time(felt like ages though probably just minutes) I just...stood there. Just standing, just watching. Didn't even think anything about anything. Felt at the same time bit melancholic and wishing the moment wouldn't end. Never felt anything even close to this.
Obviously not something you can see from the photograph. Still can feel touch of melancholy while thinking about that moment.
View of the city in the sunset. Not sure how good pictures are showing it though but it was quite enchanting view.
On my way home saw a view of the castle at the night.
Tomorrow will be heading toward Nagasaki. First time I'll be out of main island of Japan.
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