The Peace Tour
Accessible online from anywhere in the world, this virtual tour traces the history of Himeji and introduces Japan’s aspirations for peace.
Welcome to a journey through Himeji. This free collection of stories and audio for everyone who wants to join the Peace Tour in their own way.
This map shows the cycling area for the Fuwari Peace Tour. The green area in the lower left indicates the Peace Tour zone. Guide commentary is available at stops 1,19, 20, 23, and 24. At places marked TEGARA, you will find a photo spot with the town name.
Why not become more knowledgeable than the Japanese?
- Otemae Street－Viewing Deck, Himeji Station Square－Map No.1
- TEGARA ―Tegara’s meaning
- White egret－Tegara Mountain
- Pacific War Air Raid Victims National Memorial Tower－Map No.20
- Himeji Histrical Peace Center－Map No.19
- Dr. Masao Tsuzuki and the Atomic Bomb Disease
- Kinjiro Ninomiya
- Statue of Motohide Iwami－Map No.24
- Observation Deck－Map No.23
- Acknowledgments
Otemae Street－Viewing Deck, Himeji Station Square－Map No.1
Look at the magnificent view! The beautiful white Himeji Castle and straight, wide Otemae Street!
This road was built by Mayor Motohide Iwami shortly after the war. His business specialized in building dams and railways, and he had no prior experience in government before becoming mayor. However, he devoted his heart and soul to revitalizing Himeji and Japan.
The road to Himeji Castle is called “Otemae Street”. The width of the road is 50 meters, so it’s sometimes called “the 50m Street”. Thanks to Otemae Street, Himeji city was the first in Japan to fully recover. He was able to accomplish many amazing things during his time as mayor, such as overseeing major repairs to Himeji Castle during the Showa era, building the Mount Shosha Ropeway, and organizing the Himeji Grand Exposition.
The combination of Himeji Castle and Otemae Street is truly the perfect symbol of peace and reconstruction, making it a point of pride for Himeji.
The people of Himeji were amazed that their castle miraculously survived the air raids!
Once the residence of Princess Sen, the stunning Himeji Castle now stands watch over a peaceful world.
TEGARA ―Tegara’s meaning
Tegara is a unique name; there is only one place or mountain called Tegara in Japan.
Understanding Japanese mythology is important to knowing why this place was named Tegara.
According to legend, a god harvested rice by hand, without using a sickle, in this area. This story teaches us the importance of taking on difficult challenges.
There was also a famous swordsmith named Tegarayama Ujiishige who lived on Mount Tegara from the Sengoku period to the Edo period.
The word “Tegara” means achieving remarkable results or honor, either as an individual or as a group.
Let’s achieve something great today and make it a special day!
White egret－Tegara Mountain
Himeji Castle is known by the nickname “White Egret Castle”, and indeed, egrets are often spotted in this area. “Shirasagi” refers to the general term for white egrets. Take a look at this! Six species of birds, including grey herons, little egrets, and intermediate egrets, have built a big colony. Between May and June, the population can reach up to 1,000 birds, including young ones. Although, the people of Himeji are troubled by the egret’s cries and droppings, they watch over them as they grow and protect their natural ecosystem.This is ideal for reproduction as it’s close to the river. By mid-September, the colony will be gone and the egrets will have left their nests.
Even now, you can see them flying gracefully around Himeji Castle.
Now, let’s head up Tegara Mountain!
Pacific War Air Raid Victims National Memorial Tower－Map No.20
Photo provided by Himeji City（提供：姫路市）
This is a memorial tower built with donations from private citizens to commemorate the civilian victims from around the country who died in air raids during World War II.
Dying in an airstrike is terrible and tragic.
I pray for the 510,000 precious souls who suffered that fate.The memorial tower is shaped like a sword stuck into the ground, symbolizing the vow to end war.
In addition, this place was the final stop of the 100km women-only cycling event I organized in Himeji.
Throughout my life, I have searched for my path and it was during this journey that I finally realized my soul’s true purpose in this life—prevent the tragedy of war.
When I had this realization, I wondered what I could do to accomplish this.
I received the answer I had been looking for at that cycling event—it was Memorial Tower.
I thought that it was no coincidence that this place was my destination.
At that time, I didn’t realize the importance of the Memorial Tower, but I would like to bring as many people as possible to this place now.
Himeji Histrical Peace Center－Map No.19
The Himeji Historical Peace Center is an institution by which we acknowledge the tragedy and the suffering that the Second World War caused, to educate future generations and teach them the great value of peace.
Opened on April 26, 1996, this museum specializes in the Second World War and displays remains from the two air raids that hit Himeji, showcases how almost every city in Japan was affected, and shares information about Dr. Masao Tsuzuki, who first discovered the after-effects of the atomic bomb.
In this place, they’ve restored a common house and the cave which was used to protect against attacks.
Many peace education facilities aimed at Japanese people have stopped exhibiting overly horrifying contents over time, but the Himeji Historical Peace Center is a rare peace facility in Japan where you can experience the desperate screams of Harima’s people and the horror of the air raid.
We can relive the terrible experiences of the air attack using a display that reenacts the air attack with pictures, sound, vibrations and a diorama.
Despite these attacks, Himeji Castle remained by the will of the people and god. We hope you can feel just how connected Himeji is to peace.
Photo provided by Himeji City（提供：姫路市）
Dr. Masao Tsuzuki and the Atomic Bomb Disease
Dr. Masao Tsuzuki (1892–1961) was born in Himeji.
Dr. Tsuzuki was a professor at Tokyo Imperial University (now the University of Tokyo) and a leading authority on the biological effects of radiation in Japan. He was a pioneering Japanese medical doctor and naval surgeon, widely recognized as the “Father of Atomic Bomb Disease Research” in Japan. He played a crucial role in the early investigation and treatment of atomic bomb survivors after the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945.
Dr. Tsuzuki worked closely with both Japanese and American scientists, contributing to joint research efforts on the medical effects of atomic bomb radiation. He is remembered for his scientific rigor, compassion for survivors, and his leadership in the face of unprecedented medical challenges.
For Dr. Tsuzuki, being named the first honorary citizen of Himeji City in 1958 was more than just an honor; it was a profound encouragement and a heartfelt expression of respect from his hometown.
I am happy to be able to tell you about the peaceful world leader who was born in Himeji.
Kinjiro Ninomiya
Let me tell you about the most famous person in Japan called Kinjiro Ninomiya. Bronze statues of him studying with a bundle of firewood on his back were found at schools all over the country and served as a role model for children. We were taught to study hard and become great people like him.
Note: This statue of Ninomiya Kinjiro is not located in Tegarayama Peace Park.
But there was a deeper meaning to his guidance. He is called the “Jesus Christ of Japan”, as he worked hard to help many people despite facing opposition and obstruction, like that of Christ.
He fasted for 21 days at a temple before attaining enlightenment. That is “Seeing all things as one circle”. This means that even something that appears to be bad at first glance is just one half of the circle; on the other side lies its opposite.
All things coexist in one circle, even though two halves of a circle may seem to be opposites. He found peace within himself by seeing the opposite side of the circle on which things are always better.
It made me wonder, what is the other side of the circle when there’s tragic war? I would like to reflect on what happened after World War II.
First, it made the world aware of just how terrifying nuclear weapons are. This is because Dr. Masao Tsuzuki, born in Himeji, discovered the atomic bomb effects right away.
Second, there were various technological innovations. Thanks to these innovations, I’m able to easily communicate with you on this tour.
In addition, Japanese schistosomiasis was eradicated thanks to the spraying of pesticides on rice fields as a result of the cooperation of the US military’s Dr. Hunter. Thanks to them—because my ancestor was a farmer, a “hyakushō”—we survived a disease that had claimed more lives than the war.
“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”
My English teacher taught me this famous quote in America.
I believe that the noble souls who have appeared in Japan are showing us the way to peace.
Kinjiro’s idea revolves around seeing everything as part of one circle, or Ichienkan, where all opposites form a whole together.
Kinjiro liked to use this circle to resolve his worries, calm his mind and thoughts, and to explain his own ideas to others. He would never treat those who opposed him, hindered his methods, or were considered bad as enemies or rejects. Instead, he included them in his circle, thought with them, and tried to understand things from their perspectives.
Photo provided by Himeji City（提供：姫路市）
Welcome to the Sunken Garden. Feel free to enjoy the calming flowers and lush greenery, seek out interesting former sword smithing sites, or just enjoy the pleasant atmosphere.
Statue of Motohide Iwami－Map No.24
It is no longer the post-war period.
In 1956, when this phrase became popular, the Pacific Air Bombing Victims Memorial Tower was built on Mt. Tegara in Himeji, thanks to donations made by private citizens.
Three years later, in 1959, Himeji Mayor Motohide Iwami declared that post-war reconstruction was over, dissolving the All Country League of War Damaged Cities, which he himself had founded.
Then, Japan, which had achieved rapid economic growth, hosted the Tokyo Olympics for the first time in Asia in 1964.
In 1966, to commemorate the completion of the Showa era repairs to Himeji Castle, a Himeji Grand Exposition was held around Mt. Tegara. It was built in the image of Disneyland, including its iconic monorail.
It was very lively, with around 1.5 million people visiting in just two months.
Unfortunately, the monorail’s operation became a point of contention, so Motohide had to pass on the project to the next mayor after the election, but his city’s administration was able to build the foundations of modern-day Himeji in just 20 years.
If he were not the first mayor, Himeji wouldn’t look like it does today.
“If I had served another term as mayor, I might have achieved all of the great ideals of the Kaiten.”
These were the words spoken by Motohide Iwami, who served as mayor of Himeji for 20 years after the war, when he lost the election.
The word “Kaiten” originally meant “to turn the heavens” — a great, history-changing achievement. The manned suicide torpedoes used at the end of World War II were named after this word.
I wondered if Mayor Iwami had been searching for the other side of the tragedy experienced by the young people who fought and died.
When I heard this, it stayed with me. It made me realize that we have been living in such great happiness because of those who risked their lives and those who worked hard to build peace afterwards.
Perhaps it is in moments like these that we can realize what we have been living for.
The former mayor believed that the greater the darkness in tragedy, the greater the light on the other side. I realized that was the great ideal of the Kaiten.
To my surprise, at the first meeting of the National Federation of War-Damaged Cities, founded by the mayor, they unanimously adopted a resolution expressing their gratitude to General MacArthur.
What did they appreciate?
They appreciated, for example, the fact that the United States protected Japan’s imperial system, enabled their cities to run free economic activities, such as horse racing and lotteries. At the same time, women were granted the right to vote, and Japan gradually became a truly democratic country.
This history teaches us the importance of recognizing when our true wishes have been fulfilled and expressing gratitude.
Map No. 21
At the Tegarayama Exchange Center, you’ll find an elaborate diorama of the Himeji Grand Exposition and the world’s only surviving monorail manufactured by Lockheed Japan. The monorail is well worth seeing.
One of the reasons it ceased operation after only eight years was that the manufacturer later dissolved, making it difficult to obtain replacement parts. What a shame…
The Himeji City Aquarium is also located on the grounds, so if you have the chance, I recommend visiting both.
There used to be an amusement park here where children could enjoy themselves.
Photo provided by Himeji City（提供：姫路市）
There is something I sincerely hope for right now: the return of those abducted by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
Moreover, I want to convey to the world that Japan continues to choose the path of resolving this issue through dialogue, without resorting to war.
To make this wish a reality, there’s something I’d like to ask of you.
Observation Deck－Map No.23
The Origami Crane Song: Winds of Dreams
Observation Deck－Map no.23: This is also the breakthrough sightseeing spot located at point J on the map, offering great views of the castle.
You will be able to take a break at a spot over looking Himeji City and Himeji Castle in the distance. The sight of the moving train is reminiscent of the picture book “The Little House” by Virginia Lee Burton. Himeji Castle has been looking over the surrounding landscape for centuries.
On this Peace Tour, you’ll write your wish on a sheet of origami paper and fold it into a paper crane in honor of Princess Sen, who prayed for peace and happiness for all.
Please fold two paper cranes.
Write your own wish on one, and a wish for world peace on the other.
Though each crane may be small, it carries your heartfelt wishes. By wishing for peace, you have already taken your first step toward creating a more peaceful world.
Well done.
The origami crane workshop is designed to reflect the journey of life. Just as a single sheet of paper gradually transforms into a crane, our lives also grow and take shape through a variety of experiences. Perhaps it is only when we look back that we begin to understand the meaning of our lives.
Motohide Iwami, who had previously been a businessman, never imagined that he would one day become the mayor of Himeji.
Dr. Masao Tsuzuki, who studied the effects of radiation on the human body, could not have imagined that he would later diagnose patients with illnesses caused by radiation from the atomic bomb.
Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple, once said, “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards.”
Life is a one-of-a-kind story given to each of us. Perhaps each of us has a unique role to play in creating a more peaceful future.
The key to world peace lies in gratitude and understanding among people and between nations.
We look forward to welcoming you to Himeji Castle next time.
Acknowledgments
First of all, I would like to sincerely thank Mrs. Tara Postiglione who is American and helped me polish the stories I wrote about Himeji’s history.
Through my exchanging diaries with her, I was able to create this tour. Her warm voice will carry these words of peace to everyone who listens.
I also received honest feedback from visitors from other countries who participated in this peace tour during their time in Japan, which encouraged me to continue.
I’m so glad I didn’t give up just because I couldn’t speak English as well as I’d hoped.
From the bottom of my heart, I sincerely appreciate the time and support of people around the world.
Finally, I would like to express my gratitude for Himeji City.
Rie Okuno