Kyodo News — A section of the outer wall of Himeji Castle, the famed UNESCO World Heritage site in Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, was found damaged, likely due to the strong winds of Typhoon Jangmi, according to an announcement from the Himeji city government on June 4, 2026.
The discovery came after Typhoon Jangmi swept through the area, bringing powerful gusts. Mortar fragments fell from the castle's stone wall, part of its iconic defensive system. No injuries or more serious damage to the castle's main structure have been reported.
Local authorities said experts will conduct a detailed assessment to determine the extent of the damage and plan repairs. Himeji Castle, also known as White Heron Castle for its pristine white appearance, is one of Japan's few surviving original castles and attracts millions of visitors each year.
Typhoon Jangmi had earlier made landfall in Kyushu, causing heavy rain and strong winds that disrupted transportation and daily life before moving toward western and central Japan.
