🗺️ Hyogo Prefectural Museum of History兵庫県立歴史博物館

The Hyogo Prefectural Museum of History, which opened in 1983, is located to the northeast of the World Heritage Site "Himeji Castle." It is a museum that allows visitors to understand the local history. In 2021, it underwent a large-scale renovation and reopened in 2023. Designed by architect Kenzo Tange, the museum draws inspiration from Himeji Castle, also known as "Shirasagi Castle," featuring representative stone walls and ventilation openings. The beautiful reflection of Himeji Castle on the glass has become a popular photo spot. The museum primarily focuses on the history of Hyogo Prefecture, showcasing various exhibits related to local castles, culture, and more. It includes free areas such as "Art and Life," which introduces Buddhist culture, paintings, crafts, and other aspects related to Hyogo Prefecture, as well as the "Collection Gallery," which features rotating exhibits from the collection four times a year. There is also a "Children's Museum" that introduces children's culture from the Edo period to modern times, and a paid area called "Encyclopedia of Japanese Castles," which presents models and display panels about Japanese castles, including Himeji Castle. Each area displays and publicly showcases the museum's collections and materials. Additionally, in the first-floor lobby, the "Himeji Castle Anatomy" section features a 1:15 scale model of Himeji Castle and permanent exhibits, with many recommendations to visit this display before exploring Himeji Castle itself.

The architect Kenzo Tange designed a building inspired by Himeji Castle. The beautiful view of Himeji Castle reflected on the glass is the best spot for photos. It showcases exhibits related to the history, culture, and local heritage of Hyogo Prefecture, including a model of Himeji Castle, making it worthwhile to visit and gain some background knowledge before exploring Himeji Castle.