2. The Historic District of Himeji Castle Town
2-2 Joto and Nozato Areas
4. *Itabi* (Stone Monument) (Collection of Shōmyōji Temple)
Hyogo Prefecture Designated Cultural Property (Archaeological Artifact)
Location:
Within Shomyoji Temple, 2-88 Goken-yashiki, Himeji City
Public Access:
Open to the public (Interior of the temple building is not open to the public)
Overview:
Shomyoji is an ancient temple with a long history, known by the *sangō* (mountain name) of Himeji-san. Before the construction of Himeji Castle, it was located on Mt. Hime; it is currently situated at the northern end of the Teramachi-suji street in the eastern section of the castle’s outer bailey.
This *itabi* (stone monument) is believed to have been erected as a memorial monument when the temple grounds were relocated from the mountaintop to the foothills, coinciding with the construction of a fortress by Akamatsu Sadanori. A seated figure of Amitabha Buddha is carved in relief on the upper part of the front face; below this, a pedestal-mounted incense burner and a lotus flower motif are depicted using incised lines.
Beneath the lotus pedestal, there is an inscription recording that the monument was erected and consecrated in 1346, and that it was moved from within the Himeji Castle grounds to its current location in 1876.
The tablet is made of tuff (Tatsuyama stone).
6. Cultural Properties of Harima-no-Kuni Sosha (Sosha Shrine of Harima Province)
Stone Torii Gate / Hyogo Prefecture Designated Cultural Property (Structure), and others
Location:
190 Sosha-honmachi, Himeji City
Public Access:
Open to the public (Interiors of building are not open to the public)
Overview:
Harima-no-Kuni Sosha was established in 1181 by enshrining 174 deities from across Harima Province together within the precincts of Itate-Hyozu Shrine—which already existed north of the Harima provincial government office, near the current site of Himeji Higashi High School—thereby becoming known as “Sosha” (a shrine enshrining the collective deities of a province). As the principal guardian shrine for the Himeji Castle town, it garnered deep reverence from successive castle lords and townspeople alike, receiving numerous donated treasures. Although many of its buildings were lost to fire during wartime, it preserves a wealth of cultural assets to this day, including the large stone *torii* gate (designated a Hyogo Prefectural Cultural Property) and the Mitsuyama Ritual (designated a Hyogo Prefectural Folk Cultural Property).
In 1581, the shrine was relocated to its current site during the renovation of Himeji Castle by the Hashiba clan.
9. Himeji City Museum of Art (formerly the 10th Division Armory)
Nationally Registered Cultural Property (Structure)
Location:
68 Honmachi, Himeji City
Public Access:
Open to the public (Note: The interior is closed until December 2027 due to renovation work.)
Overview:
The Himeji City Museum of Art was established by repurposing two two-story brick warehouses featuring tiled gable roofs. Located within the Himeji Castle World Heritage site, both buildings were originally constructed as armories for the Imperial Japanese Army.
The northern building (oriented east-west) was constructed in 1905, while the western building (oriented north-south) was added in 1913. Following the disbandment of the army, the buildings were renovated and repurposed as the Himeji City Hall in 1947. In 1983, they were preserved and revitalized as an art museum; during this process, the structures were reinforced by installing a steel-reinforced concrete framework inside the brick walls.
These buildings stand as important architectural heritage, conveying the history of Himeji City’s development into a modern urban center.
11. Former Onoe Family Residence (Kokuraya)
Nationally Registered Cultural Property (Structure)
Location:
30 Sakai-machi, Himeji City
Public Access:
Open to the public
Overview:
The Former Onoe Family Residence (Kokuraya) is a traditional merchant house (*machiya*) located in Sakai-machi, within the eastern outer bailey of the former Himeji Castle town. It once served as both a shop and a residence for a hardware merchant operating under the trade name “Kokuraya” since the early 17th century.
The main building, constructed in 1795, is a wooden structure featuring a *tsushi-nikai* (low-ceilinged second story), a gable roof, and traditional *hon-gawara* (heavy clay tile) roofing. The street-facing second-story façade features plastered *mushiko-mado* (caged-style lattice windows). The interior layout consists of two rows of rooms on the north side and a *tōri-niwa* (passageway with an earthen floor) running along the south side. Its distinctive façade—characterized by a low profile—preserves the atmosphere of the merchant streetscape typical of early modern castle towns.
Following renovations, the building is currently utilized for purposes such as a café.
13. Akuta Family Residence and *Masu* (Measuring Box)
Residence/ Nationally Registered Cultural Property (Structure)
*Masu*/ Nationally Designated Important Cultural Property (Historical Material)
Location:
24 Nozato-Teramachi, Himeji City
Public Access:
Not open to the public
Overview:
The Akuta Family Residence served as both a shop and a home for a kimono merchant in the Himeji castle town. Three buildings on the property, including the main house constructed during the Taisho era, are registered as Nationally Registered Cultural Properties.
From around the 16th century, the Akuta family held the rights to manufacture and sell castings in this area. As prominent merchants, they supported successive lords of Himeji Castle—including the Kuroda clan—across administrative, military, and economic spheres. The current Akuta family represents a branch line that separated from the original main family.
The Akuta family is also known for preserving numerous historical artifacts and documents that date back to before the establishment of the Himeji castle town. Among these is a *masu* (a traditional wooden measuring box) used as a standard for measurement during the Taikō Land Survey; this item has been designated as a Nationally Designated Important Cultural Property.
15. Uohashi Kimono Shop
Nationally Registered Cultural Property (Structure)
Location:
51-1 Itokuji-machi, Himeji City
Public Access:
Not open to the public
Overview:
The Uohashi Kimono Shop is a large, traditional merchant house (*machiya*) facing the Nozato Kaido road. Its structure consists of two connected buildings—a south wing and a north wing—that differ in their second-story ceiling heights.
Built in 1899, the south wing exhibits architectural characteristics typical of the Meiji era, such as low eaves and a *hon-gawara* (heavy clay tile) roof. The street-facing second story features *dashigeta-zukuri* (projecting beam) construction; structural elements like rafters are fully plastered over, and a row of *mushiko-mado* (caged-style lattice windows) lines the wall.
Built in 1925, the north wing features a higher second-story ceiling, reflecting the architectural style of Taisho-era commercial buildings. The street-facing façade is plastered up to the eaves and incorporates glass windows. The interior features an open-ceiling space surrounded by corridors.
This building preserves the historic streetscape of the Meiji and Taisho eras, reflecting the time when Nozato flourished as a hub of commerce and industry.
17. Unshoji Temple
Nationally Registered Cultural Property (Structure)
Location:
19 Kobasama-cho, Himeji City
Public Access:
Open to the public (building interiors are not open to the public)
Overview:
Located northeast of Himeji Castle, Unshoji is a central temple of the Obaku-sect of Zen Buddhism in the Harima Province. While its exact founding date is unknown, the temple was relocated to its current site during the development of the Himeji castle town in the Edo period.
The Main Hall, built in 1751, retains many architectural features characteristic of the Obaku-sect, such as a double-tiered roof topped with a *hoju* (sacred jewel) ornament and drum-shaped column bases.
The Sanmon (main gate)—believed to predate the Main Hall—features intricate, densely detailed carvings that reflect the temple’s high status.
The temple grounds offer numerous other highlights beyond the Main Hall, including the *kuri* (living quarters), which features sliding door paintings (*fusuma-e*) depicting pine, bamboo, and plum motifs to separate the rooms.
As of 2026, plans are in place to relocate and preserve structures such as the Sanmon gate in conjunction with a road-widening project in front of the temple.
18. Cultural Assets of Keiunji Temple
Two Paintings / Himeji City Designated Cultural Property (Art and Craft Objects)
Location:
10-1 Nozato-Keiunji-mae-cho, Himeji City
Public Access:
Open to the public (building interiors and artworks are not open to the public)
Overview:
Keiunji is a temple of the Myoshinji of the Rinzai sect, founded in 1443. The current main hall is said to have been rebuilt using timber donated by the Ikeda clan—wood originally intended for the renovation of Himeji Castle.
The temple’s cultural assets include a painting on silk titled “Portrait of Somu Doji” (attributed to the late Sengoku period) and an ink painting on paper depicting the Zen masters Daio Kokushi, Daito Kokushi, and Kanzan Egen—a masterpiece from the final years of Hakuin Ekaku, who is revered as the restorer of the Rinzai sect.
The temple grounds contain the *Hiyoku-zuka* (a joint memorial monument) for the tragic lovers Onatsu and Seijuro. Additionally, the sub-temple Koshoji preserves a *tamagaki* (stone fence) dedicated by figures associated with Kabuki and Joruri theater. These monuments serve to keep alive the tragic love story handed down in the castle town of Himeji.