You know the kind of countries that the more you visit, the more you fall in love with? This is the case with Japan. Absolutely charming both by the well mannered people as well as for being a great box of surprises. In my last trip to the country, I  included a town called Himeji to my roadmap. What a hit! Imagine getting off the train and looking along the central avenue and there at the end of the street you see an immense and magnificent castle, surrounded by immaculate gardens.

The Himeji Castle is simply one of the most visited in the country. It is formed by a complex of 80 wooden buildings, all in white, traditional architecture, high on a hill. You can perfectly understand the reason it is considered a national treasure of Japan and World Heritage of Humanity.

It was built in 1333, passed through the hands of many mighty men and miraculously was not destroyed during the bombing of World War II. What a luck! The castle is so beautiful that it served as a location for several films: “You Only Live Twice”, “Ran”, “Kagemusha” and “The Last Samurai”, the latest with Tom Cruise.

DICAS DE VIAGEM- CONHEÇA O CASTELO DE HIMEJI NO JAPaO camila coelho2

DICAS DE VIAGEM- CONHEÇA O CASTELO DE HIMEJI NO JAPaO camila coelho2

DICAS DE VIAGEM- CONHEÇA O CASTELO DE HIMEJI NO JAPaO camila coelho2

If you have the chance to go to Japan, you have to visit Himeji. By bullet train, Shinkansen is easy to reach from any point of the country. Of Kyoto, it’s just 50 minutes away. Of Osaka and Kobe, you can get there in 30 minutes.

Set aside two or three hours to explore the castle and the Koko-en garden that is right next door. If you want to sleep in the city, I suggest the Nikko hotel near the train station and the Piole shopping.

DICAS DE VIAGEM- CONHEÇA O CASTELO DE HIMEJI NO JAPaO camila coelho6

DICAS DE VIAGEM- CONHEÇA O CASTELO DE HIMEJI NO JAPaO camila coelho6

DICAS DE VIAGEM- CONHEÇA O CASTELO DE HIMEJI NO JAPaO camila coelho6

DICAS DE VIAGEM- CONHEÇA O CASTELO DE HIMEJI NO JAPaO camila coelho6

Ah, Japan! Who is more passionate about this country than me?

XoXo and a beautiful week to all!

Claudia Liechavicius