Japan is full of fortresses and castles.
Shoguns, daimyos and other warlords constructed so many of them to protect their lands.
Sadly, many of them were totally destructed in Edo era by Tokugawa Shogunate, in order to eliminate possible independence movements of subjugated regions.
And survived castles were lost due to indiscriminate incendiary bombing in World War II.
So now, genuine Japanese castles are very rare.
Most of castles are reconstructed replicas, so to speak.
Only 12 castles are left untouched, and they are called "Genzon 12 Tenshu", that means "Preserved 12 Donjons".
These 12 castles only are the real witnesses of Japanese Warring States period.
One of them is Himeji castle, which is UNESCO World Heritage Site, and nickbnamed as White Heron Castle with respect.
Unfortunately, Himeji castle is now under large-scale repair work, so visitors cannot enter the main part of them. Its donjon will be coverd from June to October as belows.
But do not be dissapointed. I can recommend you another castle.
That is Hikone castle.
This one is also the one of "Preserved 12 Donjons" too, and designated as a Japanese National Treasure by the goverment like Himeji castle.
This castle is famous for not only its historical importance, but also its mascot character, Hikonyan.
Hikonyan is so pretty and one of the most favorite mascot of Japanese child tourists.
Till 20th of April, Hikone castle holds "Cherry Blossoms Festival".
And till 5th of May, a market full of traditional Japanese foods is also opened in a park near the castle too.
日本には数々の名城がありますが、その多くは復元されたものや模造なのは知っていますか？
現在まで残っている天守閣までそろった城はたったの12。それを「現存12天守」と呼びます。
なかでも有名なのはやはり、白鷺城の別名で愛される姫路城でしょう。
当ホテルにお泊りのお客様にも姫路城観光に行かれる方が多いのですが、あいにく姫路城は大補修工事に入ってしまい、しばらくは天守閣に入ることはもちろん、6月からは覆いを掛けられて見る事も難しくなるそうです。
代わりにお薦めしたいのは彦根城です。
かわいらしいマスコットキャラクター、「ひこにゃん」で一躍有名になった彦根城ですが、今は桜祭りの真っ最中。
またご城下にぎわい市なども開かれて彦根の名産品やひこにゃんグッズがいっぱいだそうです。
姫路城とは逆に補修工事が終わったばかりで白壁の眩しい彦根城。
子連れでも楽しめる史跡として今一番ホットかも？
