History

Himeji City has a long history dating back to the age of the gods. In the location currently known as Himeji, where it is said people have lived from the Jomon Era approximately 10,000 years ago, there is a magnificent history dating from ancient times. This location became the center of Harima after the provincial office of Harima country was established following the Reformation of Taika (7th century), and after Kokubunji Temple was established by order of the Emperor Syomu around the middle of the 8th century. It was during this same era when Hiromine Shrine and Engyoji Temple on Mt. Shosha, which remains exist to this day, were established. Furthermore, in the Muromachi Era, Mr. Akamatsu, a member of the local ruling family in Harima, built a bastion on Himeyama Mountain. Later, Toyotomi Hideyoshi built the tenshukaku (castle tower) of Himeji Castle, and finally, Ikeda Terumasa came to Himeji and completed the castle which is famous to this day. Not only is Himeji Castle a world heritage site but it also has a rich heritage included in the many temples and shrines which tell us about the long history of Himeji City.

l History following the modern era
l Introduction of historical heritage sites
- Famous White Castle   World heritage site / Himeji Castle
- Hieizan Mountain of the West   Shoshazan Engyoji Temple
-Largest Shrine Chamber in Japan   Hirome Shrine
-One of the Best Precious Remains in Japan   Sennenya House (Residence of the Furuike family)

History of Himeji City

1889 Himeji municipal administration launched.
1897 City hall built in Hojoguchi to replace the temporary city hall in Shimoshiragane-cho.

1903 Miyuki-dori is completed.
1931 Himeji Castle is designated a national treasure.
1945 Large portion of the city is destroyed in air raids during Pacific War.
1947 City hall moves to Honmachi.

1955 Otemae-dori is completed.
1964 Himeji Castle’s tenshukaku dissection restoration construction is completed.
1966 Himeji Exposition is held.
1972 Shinkansen begins service between Shin-Osaka and Okayama.

1980 City hall moves to its current location in a new building at 4-chome Yasuda.
1989 The municipal centennial is celebrated with the “Himeji Centennial Festival Shirotopia”.
1993 Himeji Castle is designated a world heritage site for the first time in Japan.
“Castival ‘94” which is a ceremony event for the designation of Himeji Castle as a world heritage site is held (to 1994).

1996 Himeji City becomes a core city.
1998 “Himeji Welcome 21” Event for celebrating the arrival of 21st century by Himeji City is held (to 2001).
2000 “Regular International Container Shipping Route” is established at Himeji Port.
2003 Environment management system in the main building of city hall obtains ISO14001 certification.
“Nozomi” Shinkansen begins making stops at JR Himeji Station.
2005 Himeji City is designated a city for international conventions and tourism.
2006 Construction to raise the level of the JR Sanyo Line completed.
New “Himeji City” is born through the merger of Ieshima-cho, Yumesaki-cho, Koudera-cho and Yasutomi-cho areas.

Largest Shrine Chamber and Altar in Japan

Hiromine Shrine
It is said that Kibi-no-Makibi, who went to China as a Japanese envoy in the Tang Dynasty, established this shrine in 733, and both the shrine chamber and altar were designated as important cultural assets of Japan.

Famous White Castle

World Heritage Site / Himeji Castle
In 1993, along with Horyuji Temple, Himeji Castle became the first heritage site in Japan to be registered in the World Heritage List of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Himeji Castle is also called, “White Heron Castle”, and is a world-class castle exemplifying both strength and beauty.

Hieizan Mountain of the West

Shoshazan Engyoji Temple
The Priest Shoku built the temple in 966. An auditorium, boarding house, and training hall, which were designated as national important cultural assets of Japan, overwhelm visitors.

One of the Best Precious Remains in Japan

Sennenya House (Residence of the Furuike family)
It is said that the house was built at the end of the Muromachi Era. The Irimoya-zukuri (hip and gable) style thatched roof house still remains as an example of a farm house during that period. This house is one of the oldest private houses in Japan and it is designated as a national important cultural asset of Japan.