HARIMA

Himeji Castle and Sea Road

Himeji Castle has been developed as a transportation hub with a road map to Kyoto, a sea route, and a port. The warring states and samurai culture that still remain in the area around Himeji Castle. The medieval warring states culture started with tara iron manufacturing in ancient times and flourished before Azuchi period.

Overview

The area of Harima faces directly onto the Seto Inland Sea, a critical sea route for Japan since ancient times. Here, it is still possible to sense a culture that remains deeply rooted in medieval Japan.

Harima is the starting point of a route leading to the former capital city of Kyoto. Midway along this route stands Himeji Castle, a key defensive military presence. This area retains a strong sense of the culture of the warring states period, as well as samurai culture. Visitors can encounter traditional swordsmiths, while further inland you will find onsen (hot springs), the remains of castles on the hills, as well as visit old temples and shrines. It is here that Miyamoto Musashi, said to have been Japan's most masterful swordsman, is believed to have practiced his "musha shugyo" (warrior pilgrimage), undertaken in order to improve his sword skills. The Engyoji is a mountain-top complex of temples with a history of more than a thousand years; it is a treasure trove of traditional Japanese architecture and design. Moving further east you will find Mt. Rokko and Arima Onsen. Renowned as one of Japan's so-called three ancient hot springs, Arima Onsen was once used by travelling monks, aristocrats, and samurais. To this day, the region between Harima and Kobe continues to play a vital role in transport and trade both domestically and internationally, and has incorporated diverse cultures as it has developed.

Story

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Arima Onsen is said to be one of Japan’s oldest onsen (hot spring) villages. It is mentioned in Nihon Shoki (the Chronicles of Japan), an early text setting out Japan’s creation story: it was apparently discovered by the ancient deities. There are seven natural hot spring sources in the village and the streets are always misty with steam. Arima Onsen has been a beloved therapeutic hot spring town for Kansai residents since times long past, and its streets are lined with historic ryokan (traditional inns). The village also offers public bathing facilities and a free public footbath, or “ashiyu”.

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