Basement of the Main Keep

After winding through the castle’s gates and defenses, my guide led me into the heart of Himeji Castle—the magnificent main keep. As we entered, she took me down to the basement level, a place most visitors might not expect in such a grand building.

The basement of the main keep felt remarkably different from the bright, airy spaces above. The low ceiling and sturdy wooden pillars gave it a hidden, almost mysterious atmosphere. My guide explained that this underground floor served several important purposes during the castle’s history.

Primarily, the basement was used for storage. Here, the castle’s defenders would keep vital supplies such as food, water, weapons, gunpowder, and other provisions ready for a siege. The thick stone walls and limited windows kept the area cool and secure, protecting these precious resources from fire and enemy attack.

What fascinated me most was that the basement also contained wells and even a secret passage, which could be used as a hidden escape route by the lord or his family in case of an emergency. My guide pointed out some of the original wooden beams, still strong after centuries, and ancient stone fixtures that hinted at the castle’s long history.

Standing in the dim light beneath the keep, I felt a real sense of the castle’s dual purpose—as both an imposing symbol of power and a carefully designed fortress prepared for anything. The basement, with its practical engineering and sense of secrecy, was a powerful reminder of how thoughtfully every part of Himeji Castle was constructed.