Japan tour 2925: Day 4 Sweating in Himeji

 

Himeji Castle

 

By the numbers

29,835 steps

23.09kms

 

Level of Chaos: The stairs got worse

 

Sewer caps in Fukusaki

The day had come that I would visit Himeji the castle also known as the White Heron as it was listed as a World Heritage site. I had to catch the Shinkansen to get there and I wanted to be there as early as possible since I was going to see the castle on opening. I got up early enough and left without breakfast as I was going to eat something on the train. There were no huge crowds on the metro to Shin Osaka and I was happy that I could get a seat for once. I think I had beat rush hour, although there were school kids around. I thought I had beat any sort of rush until I appeared in the Shinkansen terminal, and that was just pure chaos with people everywhere. I went right on through and seen which platform I needed, but I got something that I could eat on the train before I arrived at Himeji. I had been worried my QR ticket would not work, but it did.

 

Those stairs are tough

You couldn’t feel the speed on the train when you were on it, but boarding was also interesting as each carriage lined up where they should like Car 10 was in the space for car 10, and then you could board. Getting out of the ticket barrier was the fun part as I had to apparently scan my IC card as well, but somehow the station guards were able to produce a ticket for me as I was inside the regular train station barriers. How that works I don’t know. It was the same with the other train company that was in the area too. I was wearing a bigger hat than the cap that I was wearing as I knew I would be out in the sun and I would get burnt again. I even had my UV sleeves too.

A meal from FamilyMart

 

I wandered to the castle and it was really easy to find as all I had to do was look out the front of the  station and walk straight ahead. Himeji castle was very noticeable. By the time I got there the Castle had opened up and I was able to walk right in after scanning my code. At the time there were no crowds like at Osaka Castle. I was sure it would build up. There were constant announcements during the time I was there about the weather being hot and making sure people drank enough water. Throughout the tour you could drink water, but not eat food. We couldn’t wear out shoes inside either so were walking around in socks. The stairs were steeper than the ones from the day before. You had to actually hang on or else you may fall down them. The castle had been restored in the 1900s as the building was starting to fall apart and anything that had to be replaced was. Apparently a stray bomb during WW2 landed in the grounds, but didn’t explode. It was steep walk back down another set of stairs and I could feel it from the day before. By the time I walked out the crowds were starting to grow. I went to the other section, which was the outer Bailey, where a princess once lived, again we had to carry out shoes, it just felt strange walking around. When I walked out of the castle area, I was nearly out of water so I had to get some more and ended up with 3 bottles. It had become really muggy. I did go to the other section of my tour and that was of the gardens. I wasn’t that interested even though it was shady. There were no real flowers though I think I got spoilt by Singapore.

 

There was another town nearby that I wanted to checkout after I had found it by accident. I had hoped I would have enough time. The town of Fukusaki known for its statues of Yokai otherwise known as Japanese monsters like the Kappa that are frog like monsters. I went to board the train without scanning my IC card and the gate automatically shut on me giving me a huge shock as I had already gone through one lot of barriers. It was a small two car train that took me to the town in around half hour. It was a good rest. Once I was wandering through town via the back streets as Google was sending me, I found there was no real area to walk as the roads were narrow. I later found the main road to be like that so decided to walk the back streets back to the station. It was an interesting walk and I had no problems with drivers. I found the park and had to rest for a little bit. I soon found there was a water fountain that I could use at the park and I filled all three of the now empty water bottles, though I had to refill one as I was thirsty. The statues were interesting as there were ones that would pop out of the water and another that would slide out of its box and go back inside. There were several others in town, but I didn’t go looking for the others as I didn’t like the walk along the side of the road. Narrow wasn’t a word I would use.

 

I made it to the train station, and seen a train that I seen was going to Osaka, which I thought was really lucky as I thought it best to head back. My Shinkansen ticket was at 7pm so I had nearly two and half hours back in Himeji. On the fly I cancelled my Shinkansen ticket and jumped on the three carriage train called Hanakaze that was a limited express. The best part when I realised the entire train was full of reserved seats. It dawned on me that my brain fart meant I couldn’t get to Osaka on this train as it was a little more expensive and my IC card might not cut it. The more I Googled the train the more interesting it got, but I doubt I could explain away my presence there. No one had stopped me from getting on. Also I might have someone looking at the tickets. Himeji was actually only 10 mins away on this train, and I needed the aircon to cool down. I jumped off. Google told me there were no trains leaving Himeji apart from the Shinkansens bound to Osaka. I ended up going to the ticket machine once I had figured that out as I was going to the counter until I had a number. The train ticket was easy to get and I didn’t get an assigned seat this time. They were all comfortable anyway. The ticket just for that day meant I could get any Shinkansen back to Osaka. That was brilliant even though I had a brain fart that cancelled my ticket, but I get a refund.

 

On the way back to the hotel I thought I could see lots of things along the way, but decided not to as I was buggered. The Metro was crowded as it was that time of day with the rush hour running along. I wanted to have a look at a shop called Book Off that is a Japanese second hand type bookshop. It sells figurines and music too. I decided to have a shower and eat, then check it out later. It was an interesting store, but there was nothing in English, which is understandable considering where I am. After that little wander on dark, I decided it was time to head back. I have one more full day in Osaka, although I have not seen everything on my list, but the main things I have. I think I have seen a bit more than most people. The funny thing is I havnt over spent on merch as I havnt spent that much yet. Food for sure, but other things no.