・The castle seal with beatiful butterfly!

“Gojo-in” is a commemorative certificate that can be purchased when visiting a castle. The seal is designed with characters or family crests associated with the castle.

Gojo-in are sold at castles throughout Japan, and the design varies depending on the castle. In Japan, collecting castle seals has become a booming hobby as one of the fun aspects of visiting castles.

As of April 2024, the castle seal sold at Himeji Castle is based on the IKEDA family. In the center, the swallowtail butterfly, the family crest of the IKEDA family, which built Himeji Castle, is depicted in red.

The words “National Treasure Himeji Castle” are arranged from the letters on the sign hanging on the pillar of the water chestnut gate.

The castle seal is designed with hidden craftsmanship, and the stonewalls and other features emerge when the light reflects off the seal. Why don’t you get a commemorative seal that is unique to Himeji Castle?

■Sales location
Souvenir shop in Himeji Castle next to the entrance of Himeji Castle (9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.)

■Price
300 yen per certificate

・Get a memorial medal of Himeji Castle!

Original commemorative medals of Himeji Castle can be purchased at vending machines located in the souvenir shop inside Himeji Castle.

There are four types of medals: Himeji Castle Color, Gold, Gold & Silver, and with the Himeji City character “Shiromaru-hime”. The backs of all medals feature the swallowtail butterfly, the family crest of the IKEDA family.

The vending machine also sells parts that you can fit the medal you purchased to make a key chain.

With the engraving machine next to the vending machine, you can set the medal and insert money to have the date and the words you want to put on it engraved. Try making your own original medal as a keepsake.

The most popular among the four types of medals are Gold & Silver one. If you take a photo of the medals and Himeji Castle side by side, you can take a wonderful picture. Try taking a cool picture with Himeji Castle from different angles!

Many castle stores in Japan have medal vending machines, so you can enjoy collecting them!

■Sales location
Vending machines and engraving machines at the  souvenir shop next to the entrance to Himeji Castle (9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.)

■Price
500-600 yen per medal, 300 yen for key chain parts, 30 yen for engraving
*Some types may be sold out.

・The three stamps with castle by free!

There are three types of stamps: the “100 Great Castles of Japan” stamp selected by the Japan Castle Association, the World Cultural Heritage stamp with an illustration of Himeji Castle, and the World Heritage and National Treasure memorial stamp.

The largest of these, the World Heritage and National Treasure memorial stamp, depicts a princess dressed in kimono and the Himeji City character “Shiromaru-hime”.  This stamp is popular among foreign tourists for its a uniquely Japanese look.

The stamp is located on the entrance side of the castle, so be sure to stamp it before entering the castle!

Many people use pocket-sized notebooks as stamp books. By collecting stamps at the sightseeing spots you visit, you can keep memory of your visit that is different from a photograph.

■Stamp location
Information at the entrance side of Himeji Castle (9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.)

■Price
Free

■Information