[Himeji City] Six Himeji Castle seals are on sale at once to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the registration as a World Heritage Site!

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To commemorate the 30th anniversary of World Cultural Heritage registration, a new castle seal with the Yuki Matsudaira family motif will be on sale for a limited time from December 11th. Furthermore, in addition to the Ikeda family currently on sale, we are reselling the castle seals of the Sakai family, Honda family, Sakakibara family, and Okudaira Matsudaira family that we have sold in the past. This is your chance to purchase a total of 6 types of castle seals.

Written by

Local Prime/Travel Lab by Shinki Bus Co., Ltd.

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Table of Contents
Celebrating the 30th anniversary of Himeji Castle's World Heritage registration
Limited time only! Yuki seal with the motif of the Yuki Matsudaira clan
From April 2024, only the Ikeda family castle seal will be sold.
10 items exclusive to the castle shop
Useful Information
basic information

Celebrating the 30th anniversary of Himeji Castle's World Heritage registration

Himeji Castle tower seen from across the Mikuni moat

Himeji Castle will be registered as a World Heritage Site and a 30th anniversary week will see a flurry of commemorative events, including special openings, a circus and a music festival, running through March 2024.

Himeji Castle World Heritage Registration 30th Anniversary Website

Limited time only! Yuki seal with the motif of the Yuki Matsudaira clan

To commemorate the 30th anniversary of the registration as a World Heritage Site, a new design of castle seal will go on sale from December 11, 2023. The sale period will be until the end of March 2024. Each seal will cost 300 yen.

The design of the castle seal was commissioned to Matsudaira Naoyasu, head of the Yuki Matsudaira family (the 35th head of the Yuki family, the 17th head of the Matsudaira family), who wrote the characters for Himeji Castle. The family crest is an extract of the Yuki family's left three-common tomoe and the five-and-seven paulownia crest that was actually used during the time of the lord of Himeji Castle. The design on both sides is a design of the "Otegine spear," one of the famous spears known as the "Three Great Spears of Japan," which has been passed down through the Yuki family since the Muromachi period and was inherited by the Yuki Matsudaira family, who inherited the family name. It is said that it was used as a horse crest for the daimyo procession when they went to Edo Castle to attend alternate attendance from Himeji Castle.

Six types of castle seals will be available for purchase, including the Ikeda family seal (top left) currently on sale. Available until the end of March 2024. 300 yen each

From April 2024, only the Ikeda family castle seal will be sold.

A castle seal with the Ikeda family motif. An explanatory note is enclosed with the Himeji Castle seal.

From April 2024 onwards, only castle seals featuring the current Ikeda family motif will be sold.

Swallowtail butterfly crest tiles can be found all over Himeji Castle. The photo shows a water-drop tile and a round eaves tile at the "Ro-no-mon" gate.

The castle tower seen from Bizen. Bizen was where the Ikeda family's palace was located.

Hishi Gate

The sign for "National Treasure Himeji Castle." It is said to have been put up when the castle was designated a national treasure under the National Treasure Preservation Law in the early Showa.

In the center, the large characters "National Treasure Himeji Castle" are used. They are taken from the characters on the wooden sign hanging on the mirror pillar of the Hishi-no-mon Gate. It is difficult to tell from the photo of the Himeji Castle seal, but the design appears in the upper left and lower right depending on how the light hits it.

Looking through the Orimawari Tower to the east of the main tower. The preservation and repair work on the Orimawari Tower has been completed.

The east side of the castle tower seen from outside Sanka Kabuki Uo Castle, which was used in the design of the upper left corner of the castle seal.

The east side of the castle tower seen from outside the castle. It can be seen clearly from between the city zoo and the city art museum.

The "fan slope" photographed from the "Nunomon" gate

In the lower right corner is a design of the high Ishigaki on the west side of the "Nuno Gate" that was built when Lord Ikeda Terumasa constructed Himeji Castle. It is called the "fan slope" because it curves from bottom to top.

Hime Leathercraft Castle Seal Cover. The castle seal in the photo is designed with the motif of the Matsudaira clan of Oku .

This new design of the Himeji Castle Gojyoin is only available at the shop inside Himeji Castle. It costs 300 yen each. (A different type of Gojyoin is available at the Nishinomaru Tea Shop in Sannomaru Square.)

The castle seal book is also available for sale. It can be purchased outside the castle shop, but the special "Princess Leather Craft Edition (regular edition + princess leather cover)" is a rare gem.

10 items exclusive to the castle shop

"Pass (400 yen)"

Before the introduction of the Gojyo-in stamps, it would not be an exaggeration to say that the "passing pass" was the perfect memento of climbing a castle. The handmade feel is very tasteful.

"Himeji Castle T-shirt (2,500 yen)"

This design is exclusive to the castle shop and is available in S, M, L, and LL sizes.

"Magnet (from 440 yen)"

Popular magnet products. The "Lanterns" (440 yen) come in a variety of colors, so you'll want to line them all up. The "Golden Himeji Castle" (500 yen) is a clip. The "Himeji Castle Magnet" (600 yen) has a striking design.

"Himeji Castle Figure (1,500 yen)"

"Himeji Castle Sakura Fragrance - 30 sticks (950 yen)"

I actually tried it and it has a gentle and refreshing scent. It uses a generous amount of natural cherry leaf oil extracted from the cherry blossoms at Himeji Castle.

It is manufactured by Seijudo, a long-established incense store located in Kamikawa-cho, Kozaki Kamikawa Town , north of Himeji City , which was founded in 1849 (Kaei 2). It is a popular product not only during the cherry blossom season, but also during the winter, with tourists from overseas coming to buy it.

"Himeji Castle Original Commemorative Medal"

Himeji Castle also has one. A "commemorative medal engraving machine" that lets you engrave your name and date. It's exciting to be able to create your own memories for a limited time. Each medal costs 500 to 600 yen. "Special keychain (200 yen)". "Engraving (30 yen)".

Senhime-sama accessories

There are many small items related to Senhime-sama goods, such as Senhime-sama confetti (490 yen), fortune key chain (385 yen), and eraser (330 yen). Another princess is Himeji City's official mascot, Shiromaru-hime.

"Shiromaruhime Plush Toy - Extra Large - (2,450 yen)"

For those who don't know about Shiromaru Hime, here is her. This is "Shiromaru Hime". The plush toy (large) is only sold at the castle shop.

"Shiromaruhime Kids T-shirt (2,200 yen)"

Princess Shiromaru is very popular with children. The design of the kids' T-shirts looks more like Princess Shiromaru than Himeji Castle.

Cute sweets

"Shiromaru Hime Ramune (430 yen)" and "Sakusaku Candy (430 yen)". Reasonably priced and cute souvenirs are always helpful. The limited edition goods introduced here are just a few of them.

Of course, in addition to limited edition items, standard Himeji souvenirs are also available. We accept various cards, transportation IC cards, and QR payments.

*All product prices include tax. This article is current as of December 2023. Product contents and prices may be subject to change.

Useful Information

Great value 1-day pass

Hyogo Amazing Pass

If you are considering a trip around Hyogo Prefecture, such as Himeji and Kobe , we recommend this ticket! The Kobe 1-day bus ticket includes the contents of the ticket, and it is a mobile ticket that allows unlimited rides on Shinki Bus route buses for 1,000 yen per day. *Limited to foreign visitors tourists visiting Japan

[Hyogo Prefecture] Unlimited rides on local buses for just 2,500 yen! Travel around Hyogo Prefecture at a great price
Hyogo

Himeji / Kanzaki

Click here for details and to purchase the Hyogo Amazing Pass

Luggage storage service

Would you like to enjoy sightseeing conveniently and easily? Information on luggage storage services in front of Himeji Station

[The cheapest price near Himeji Station!?] Why not go sightseeing empty-handed? Cheap and near the station! Luggage storage service
Hyogo

Himeji / Kanzaki

basic information

Himeji Castle Shop (next to the ticket gate at Himeji Castle) Address: 68 Honmachi, Himeji City, next to the ticket gate at the exit for Himeji Castle

Phone number: 079-284-0697 (shop)

For inquiries about castle seals, please contact: 079-287-3655 ( Himeji Convention and Visitors Bureau)

Business hours: 9:00-17:00

Closed: December 29th and 30th (same as Himeji Castle's closing days)

Access: 20 minutes on foot from JR Himeji Station or Himeji Station. Take the Shinki Bus from the north exit of Himeji Station and get off at "Otemon-mae." 5 minutes on foot.

Parking: Use nearby parking lots

Website: Himeji Tourism Guide Himenomichi

Social Media: Facebook , Instagram

Written by

Local Prime/Travel Lab by Shinki Bus Co., Ltd.

Hyogo

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