Shōwa-era Restoration
The First in 350 Years
The most extensive repair work in the history of Himeji Castle began in 1956 and lasted almost eight years. Known as the Shōwa-era Restoration, after the Shōwa imperial era (1926–1989), this massive project involved the complete dismantling and reassembly of the main keep.
Many historical and architectural discoveries were made along the way, thanks to inscriptions left on parts of the structure by its original builders. From 1956 to 1958, the entire keep was dismantled under a giant roofed scaffold. Workers then spent several years cleaning, repairing, and—where necessary—replacing the building’s posts, beams, and other components, before painstakingly reassembling the entire structure. The small adjoining keeps, connecting galleries, and kitchen were repaired as well. By the end of the project in 1964, the equivalent of over 250,000 working-days had been spent on the project.
Timeline of the Shōwa-era Restoration
1934 - Restoration work begins. The collapse of part of the West Bailey gallery after
years of inadequate upkeep demonstrates the need for a major overhaul. Work is
suspended after only a few years by the outbreak of World War II.
1945 - With the end of the war, the black camouflage cover that had protected the castle
from air raids is removed. The castle becomes a symbol of postwar reconstruction,
standing tall amid the rubble of the surrounding city.
1949 - The White Heron Castle Restoration Association is formed to lobby the national
government to renew the restoration work.
1950 - Work resumes, beginning with the towers and earthen walls of the Second Bailey
and including the Hishi Gate.
1956 - Restoration of the keep begins. The main keep is entirely dismantled, repaired,
and reassembled.
1964 - Work is completed, and the keeps are opened to the public for the first time in
eight years, attracting more than 1.7 million visitors from in and around the city.
Scaffolding
Timber: more than 10,000 Japanese cypress beams (each at least four sun, or
12.12 centimeters, in diameter)
Bolts: 120 tons
Material Delivery:
A 200-meter wooden ramp
Construction Work
Dismantling, repair, and reassembly
Time required: 8 years (1956–1964)
Himeji Castle protected from air raids with black camouflage
Collapse of the connecting gallery of the West Bailey
The main keep with its roofed scaffolding
The main keep with its scaffolding and ramp for material delivery
Intact amid a city in ruins, Himeji Castle became known as the “miracle castle.”
