On Apr 13, 6:11 am, Declan Murphy <declan_mur...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> On Apr 13, 4:00 am, "John W." <worthj1...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > On Apr 12, 1:57 pm, "John W." <worthj1...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > > Lafcadio Hearn (1894, Glimpses of Unfamiliar Japan, p. 363) mentions
> > > an area in Himeji called Go-Ken-Yashiki. My wife (useless on anything
> > > historic, even if it relates to her hometown) has no clue where this
> > > is. Does anyone happen to have an idea where in Himeji is Go Ken
> > > Yashiki?
>
> > > John W.
>
> > Oh, never mind. Goken Yashiki has plenty of hits.
>
> So where is it and should I visit it?

Chances are you already have and didn't know it; it's the neighborhood
just east of the castle, and if you've ever walked or driven in that
neighborhood you went right through it (area of the girl's high
school). The only think I know of in that area that's worth looking at
is Sosha Jinja, a small shrine with a priest training center and,
thus, some priests sweeping the grounds every morning.

I don't know if I ever told you about this place, but there is a toy
museum north of Himeji proper that is quirky and, if you're in the
neighborhood (along route 312 heading north) might be worth a quick
visit. It's a converted house and they have a lot of old, classic
wooden toys that are fun. I'm currently writing the definitive guide
to Hyogo travel (because I have to have a hobby) and that is high on
my list.

John W.