Himeji, Japan Cruise Port

As a long-time gateway to the Harima district, Himeji is a city with a population of more than a half million people and is located in Hyogo Prefecture in Japan’s Kansai region. In 1959 it became a major international trading port, one of only 18 in the entire country. The city is a beacon for tranquil shrines, Buddhist temples, and the stunning Himeji Castle. Also referred to as White Herring or White Egret Castle, this impressive structure is considered the finest example of prototypical Japanese castle architecture which includes intricate defense systems designed during the feudal era. The great castle is the largest and most-visited in all Japan, and somehow remained fully intact after a World War II US air raid that destroyed over half the infrastructure in the city. Its immaculate survival led to many Himeji citizens believing it to be divinely protected. Today, it acts as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• Be amazed by Himeji Castle’s majesty that is meant to resemble a bird taking flight. Four of its keeps and the kitchen are considered national treasures, and the massive 83-room structure also survived the Great Hanshin earthquake in 1995.
   
• Achieve a deeper understanding of the city and region’s culture at the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of History. Opened in 1983, this site contributes to the education and study of history.
   
• Take a stroll beside Himeji Castle and admire the Koko-en Garden, a well-maintained, peaceful nature retreat with nine unique mini-gardens.
   
• Enjoy the isolation and beauty of the Nagoyama Reien Busharito, a Buddhist cemetery and domed shrine placed atop a hill.