The upper floor of Himeji

After leaving the basement, my guide and I started climbing the steep, narrow staircases leading up through the main keep of Himeji Castle. With each floor we reached, I noticed how the atmosphere changed—not just because of the creaking old wood underfoot, but because the windows along the way revealed more and more of the world outside.

I was fascinated by the different window designs built into the castle walls. Some were tall, thin slits—perfect for archers to fire arrows while staying mostly hidden. Others were small and rectangular, designed for the defenders’ old matchlock guns. There were also wider, open windows that let in natural light and provided a clear vantage point for keeping watch over the castle grounds. My guide explained how each window’s shape and placement played a role in defending the castle, merging practical strategy with subtle beauty.

Finally, after winding our way up to the very top floor, I stepped out onto the highest level of the keep and was absolutely stunned by the view. Through the wide observation windows, I could see all of Himeji stretching out below me—the graceful rooftops of the castle complex, the tree-lined moats, and beyond that, the whole city laid out in a patchwork of old and new. In the distance, I caught glimpses of green mountains and, on the horizon, a shimmer that was likely the Seto Inland Sea.

It was easy to understand why the castle was built on this hill: from up here, you really could see for miles in every direction. Standing at this height, I imagined what it must have felt like centuries ago—watching for approaching armies or simply taking in the sweeping panorama.