Hyogo Prefectural Museum of History

Located northeast of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Himeji Castle, this museum opened in 1983 as a place to learn about local history. It underwent major renovations beginning in 2021 and reopened in 2023.

The building, designed by architect Kenzo Tange, features elements inspired by Himeji Castle-also known as the “White Heron Castle”-such as stone-wall-like exterior surfaces and ventilation openings shaped like castle loopholes. The sight of Himeji Castle reflected in the museum’s glass façade has become a well-known photo spot.

Inside, the museum presents exhibitions related to Hyogo Prefecture’s history, castles, and culture. Free zones include “Art and Life,” which showcases Buddhist culture, paintings, and crafts connected to Hyogo, and the “Collection Gallery,” where items from the museum’s holdings are displayed on a rotating basis about four times a year. Paid exhibition areas include “Children’s Museum,” which explores children’s culture from the Edo period to the present, and “Encyclopedia of Japanese Castles,” which introduces castles across Japan-including Himeji Castle-through models and panels.

In the first-floor lobby, visitors will also find a 1/15-scale model of Himeji Castle and the permanent “Himeji Castle Anatomy” display, making the museum a worthwhile stop before touring the castle itself.