Cherry Blossoms 2012: Himeji Report (4/14)

2012/04/14 - Himeji Report
byschauwecker

Himeji Castle

Today I made my annual visit toHimeji Castle to check on the current state of thecherry blossoms and the renovation works that had started on the castle two years ago and will continue through March 2015.

Like in many otherhanami spots across Japan, this week's rain has shortened the full bloom period atHimeji Castle by a few days, and a considerable number of petals have fallen already. Nevertheless, The trees generally still had an intense look and will continue to provide an attractive setting for cherry blossom viewing (hanami) through this weekend.

and hanami activities were still ongoing (at 10 o'clock in the morning)

View of the Nishinomaru (Western Citadel) from the Honmaru (Main Citadel)

After checking the cherry blossoms, I paid an additional 200 yen to enter the huge scaffolding structure that currently covers up the castle. From the 7th and 8th floors of this structure, tourists are given the opportunity to observe the renovation works through windows.

Scaffolding structure covering up the castle keep

Tourists observe the renovation works through a window

Renovation works on the top floor's roof tiles have been completed

The two shachi roof ornaments stand ready to be moved back onto the top of the roof

Each shachi will be fixed onto a large wooden horn that can withstand the strong winds on the castle's roof

Further down the castle keep, the roof tiles were all removed for inspection

99 percent of the roof tiles are reused, and a small number of damaged ones are replaced

The interior of the castle keep is currently closed to tourists. By spring 2014 most of the works should be finished, but then it is going to take an additional year to dismantle the scaffolding structure. In total, it will take another three years until tourists can enjoy the sight of the castle keep in combination with the cherry blossoms again - in spring 2015.

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