When spring comes, Someiyoshino (the most
common type of cherry tree in Japan ),
the mountain cherry trees, weeping cherry trees and others located at the National Treasure Himeji
Castle are in full bloom.
The castle garden has many prominent cherry blossom viewing spots and is
considered one of “the 100 best viewing spots for cherry blossoms in Japan .”
The Himeji Castle (the restoration will finish in spring, 2015) |
The Himeji
Castle , which was one of the first
sites chosen for World Heritage listing in Japan , is well-known overseas, and
many people visit the castle from home and abroad. The castle is now under restoration and
covered with a roofed scaffold structure.
The inside of the main keep has been
kept open for visitors during the renovation, and special visiting
opportunities have been provided for visitors.
The grounds of Himeji Castle
and its surrounds are decorated by hundreds of cherry blossoms. Let’s take
photos of the cherry trees and there blossoms from many different angles.
Furthermore, events, like the “Himeji
Castle Cherry Blossom Viewing Festival & Drum Performance” and “Hana-akari
Himeji-jyo Yozakura-kai (cherry blossom viewing party with illuminated with
lanterns at night),” will be held with the peak season for viewing cherry
blossom in early April each year. These events allow overseas as well as local
visitors to experience a unique aspect of Japanese culture, cherry blossom
viewing.
The highlight of the cherry blossom viewing
festival given at Sanno-maru square is a stirring Japanese drum performance
accompanied by the tune of as many as 100 Japanese harps. The beautiful sounds
of the Japanese harps played by women in kimono and impressive performance of
Japanese drums are absolutely spectaculars!
The Nishinomaru-Garden is opened to the
public for free at night during the “Hana-akari” party. Night viewing of
illuminated cherry trees provides fantastic scenery which makes a difference.
Why don’t you fully enjoy a spring night in the evening breeze?
Lastly, we introduce you to the Koko-en
that is a Japanese garden next to the Himeji Castle .
This garden also offers night viewing of cherry blossoms. Visitors enjoy meals
and a cup of tea at “Kassui-en” restaurant which is located in the garden.
Come and see for yourself Himeji Castle
under the warm spring sunshine or the evening breeze!
Bloom data
Flowering
|
In half bloom
|
In full bloom
| |
2011
|
April 2nd
|
April 7th
|
April 11th
|
2010
|
March 26th
|
April 2nd
|
April 5th
|
2009
|
March 24th
|
April 3rd
|
April 8th
|
Access to Himeji Himeji
Castle :
A 15 minute-walk from JR Himeji Station
Event schedule
☆Himeji Castle Cherry
Blossoms Viewing Festival & Drum Performance: April 7th (Sat)
☆Hana-akari Himeji-jyo
Yozakura-kai: from April 6th (Fri) to April 15th(Sun), 18:00-21:00 (Last
admission 20:30)
☆Koko-en Night Viewing
of Cherry Blossoms: from April 6th (Fri)
to April 8th(Sun), till 20:00 (Last admission 19:30)
Related blogs: http://hyogo-tourism-en.blogspot.jp
Blog Vol.1 【Spring Flower Series】Awaji Hana-sajiki and raped flowers
Blog Vol.2 【Spring Flower Series】Cherry Blossoms in Oji Zoo
Blog Vol.3 【Spring Flower Series】Tanto Tulip Festival
Useful links:
http://www,hyogo-tourism.jp/english/spot/66_himejicastle.html
(English)
Himeji Kanko Navi Himeno-michi
http://www.himeji-kannko.jp/en/ (English)
Restaurant Kassui-ken
Http://www.city.himeji.lg.jp/koukoen/restaurant.html
(Japanese)
Soo (Hyoto Tourism Association)