History Timeline for Himeji Castle
1333
Akamatsu Norimura of a powerful family in Harima district built a fortress on Mount Himeyama.
1346
His second son Sadonori builds a mountain castle on Mount Himeyama.
1580
Hideyoshi begins building a three-story donjon for attacks on the Chugoku region and completes it in 1581.
1600
After the battle of Sekigahara, Ikeda Terumasa, the husband of Ieyasu's second daughter, takes control of Himeji Castle.
In the following year, a major reconstruction begins on the castle and is complete in 1609 with a 5-story donjon.
1617
Honda Tadakatsu takes over Himeji Castle and enlarges the San-no-Maru, the outermost circumference of the castle, the Nishi-no-Maru, and has other construction done.
1869
After the Meiji Restoration, Harima district was reclaimed by the Imperial Court and Himeji Castle became a national possession.
1931
The donjons and turret corridors (total of 8) of Himeji Castle are designated national treasures.
1956
The construction begins with the dismantling of donjons for repair and 8 years later for completion of all repairs in 1964.
1993
The castle is registered by the UNESCO as world heritage site.
2001
The 400th year of existence and 70th year as national treasure is celebrated.
2009
The "Major Heisei Restoration" begins in the autumn of 2009. (Repairs to the main donjon are scheduled to last 5 1/2 years.)
(World Cultural Heritage Site)
1333
Akamatsu Norimura of a powerful family in Harima district built a fortress on Mount Himeyama.
1346
His second son Sadonori builds a mountain castle on Mount Himeyama.
1580
Hideyoshi begins building a three-story donjon for attacks on the Chugoku region and completes it in 1581.
1600
After the battle of Sekigahara, Ikeda Terumasa, the husband of Ieyasu's second daughter, takes control of Himeji Castle.
In the following year, a major reconstruction begins on the castle and is complete in 1609 with a 5-story donjon.
1617
Honda Tadakatsu takes over Himeji Castle and enlarges the San-no-Maru, the outermost circumference of the castle, the Nishi-no-Maru, and has other construction done.
1869
After the Meiji Restoration, Harima district was reclaimed by the Imperial Court and Himeji Castle became a national possession.
1931
The donjons and turret corridors (total of 8) of Himeji Castle are designated national treasures.
1956
The construction begins with the dismantling of donjons for repair and 8 years later for completion of all repairs in 1964.
1993
The castle is registered by the UNESCO as world heritage site.
2001
The 400th year of existence and 70th year as national treasure is celebrated.
2009
The "Major Heisei Restoration" begins in the autumn of 2009. (Repairs to the main donjon are scheduled to last 5 1/2 years.)
(World Cultural Heritage Site)