姫路城を英語で説明・紹介するための基本情報と、英会話に役立つ表現をシンプルでわかりやすい英語で紹介します。
英会話ダイアローグ・関連情報・10の質問を通して、姫路城に関する英語表現を学びます。
英語
英会話ダイアローグを読む前に知っておくと良い前提知識と情報は以下の通りです。
- 歴史:
- 現在の姫路城は1609年に完成
- 戦国時代や江戸時代を経て重要な軍事拠点として機能
- 特徴:
- 白い漆喰の壁と優雅な形状から「白鷺城」とも呼ばれる
- 複雑な迷路のような構造で、多くの門や石垣、櫓がある
- 保存状態:
- 多くの修復プロジェクトが行われており、最新の大規模修復は2015年に完了
- 世界遺産と国宝に指定
- 観光情報:
- 天守閣の見学には1～1.5時間かかり、庭園や敷地の散策も合わせて2～3時間程度
- 好古園は姫路城のすぐ隣にある日本庭園で、9つのテーマに分かれたエリアがある
2人が姫路城について話しています。
姫路城の歴史、美しいデザイン、見どころ、ベストシーズン、周辺の観光スポットなどを話題にしています。
会話 / dialogue
Hey Key, I’ve been really interested in Himeji Castle lately. Do you know much about it?
Yeah, Himeji Castle is one of Japan’s most famous and beautiful castles. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage site and a National Treasure.
That’s right! I heard it’s called the “White Heron Castle.” Do you know why?
It’s because of its white plastered walls and elegant design. It looks like a white heron taking flight.
That sounds beautiful. When was it built?
The current structure was completed in 1609. It has a long history dating back to the 14th century, but the main keep we see today was built by Ikeda Terumasa.
Wow, so it’s really old. How well is it preserved?
Very well. It has undergone many restoration projects to keep it in good condition. The latest major restoration was completed in 2015.
I’d love to visit it. What can I expect to see there?
You can tour the main keep, which takes about 1 to 1.5 hours. The castle has a complex design with many gates, stone walls, and towers for defense. The gardens and grounds are also beautiful to walk around.
That sounds amazing. Is there anything else to see nearby?
Yes, right next to the castle is Kokoen Garden. It’s a traditional Japanese garden with nine different themed areas. It’s very peaceful and complements the castle visit well.
How much time should I plan to spend there?
If you want to see both the castle and Kokoen Garden, you should plan for about 2 to 3 hours. It’s a short walk from Himeji Station, so it’s very accessible.
That’s good to know. What’s the best time to visit?
Spring and autumn are the best times. In spring, the cherry blossoms around the castle are stunning, and in autumn, the colorful leaves are beautiful. But it’s great to visit any time of the year.
Thanks, Key. I’m really excited to visit now. I think I’ll go in the spring to see the cherry blossoms.
You’re welcome, Mack. Enjoy your trip to Himeji Castle! It’s an unforgettable experience.
関連情報 / related information
「姫路城」について、理解を深めるための「英語での関連情報」です。
姫路城
Introduction
Himeji Castle is a famous castle in Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. It is known for its beautiful white walls and elegant design. The castle is also called the “White Heron Castle” because it looks like a white heron in flight.
History
The current structure of Himeji Castle was completed in 1609. The castle has a long history that goes back to the 14th century. It was an important military base during the Warring States period and the Edo period. Over the years, the castle has been well-preserved through many restoration projects.
Features
Himeji Castle has a complex design with many gates, stone walls, and towers. This design made it very difficult for enemies to attack. The main keep is five stories tall and offers great views of the surrounding area. The castle is surrounded by beautiful gardens and grounds that are perfect for walking.
Visiting
Himeji Castle is about a 15-minute walk from Himeji Station, making it easy to access. Touring the main keep takes about 1 to 1.5 hours. Walking around the gardens and grounds takes another 1 to 1.5 hours, so plan for a total of 2 to 3 hours. Next to the castle is Kokoen Garden, a traditional Japanese garden with nine different themed areas.
Best Time to Visit
The best times to visit Himeji Castle are in the spring and autumn. In spring, the cherry blossoms around the castle are stunning. In autumn, the colorful leaves are very beautiful. However, the castle is a great place to visit at any time of the year.
10の質問 / 10 questions
「姫路城」について、理解を深めるための「英語での10の質問」です。
1: What is Himeji Castle?
Himeji Castle is a famous Japanese castle located in Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture. It is known for its beautiful white walls and elegant design.
2: Why is Himeji Castle called the "White Heron Castle"?
It is called the "White Heron Castle" because its white walls and graceful design look like a white heron in flight.
3: When was Himeji Castle completed?
The current structure of Himeji Castle was completed in 1609.
4: What makes Himeji Castle special?
Himeji Castle is special because it is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a National Treasure of Japan. It has a unique and complex design.
5: How long does it take to tour the main keep of Himeji Castle?
It takes about 1 to 1.5 hours to tour the main keep of Himeji Castle.
6: What can you see in the surrounding area of Himeji Castle?
In the surrounding area, you can visit Kokoen Garden, a beautiful traditional Japanese garden with nine different themed areas.
7: What is the best time to visit Himeji Castle?
The best times to visit Himeji Castle are in the spring for cherry blossoms and in the autumn for colorful leaves.
8: How far is Himeji Castle from Himeji Station?
Himeji Castle is about a 15-minute walk from Himeji Station.
9: How has Himeji Castle been preserved?
Himeji Castle has been well-preserved through many restoration projects, with the latest major restoration completed in 2015.
10: What kind of design does Himeji Castle have?
Himeji Castle has a complex, maze-like design with many gates, stone walls, and towers, making it difficult for enemies to attack.
和訳付
会話 / dialogue
Hey Key, I’ve been really interested in Himeji Castle lately. Do you know much about it?
ねえ、キー、最近姫路城にすごく興味があるんだ。君は姫路城について詳しい？
Yeah, Himeji Castle is one of Japan’s most famous and beautiful castles. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage site and a National Treasure.
うん、姫路城は日本で最も有名で美しい城の一つだよ。ユネスコの世界遺産にもなっているし、国宝でもあるんだ。
That’s right! I heard it’s called the “White Heron Castle.” Do you know why?
そうだよね！「白鷺城」とも呼ばれているって聞いたけど、どうしてか知ってる？
It’s because of its white plastered walls and elegant design. It looks like a white heron taking flight.
それは白い漆喰の壁と優雅なデザインのせいだよ。まるで白鷺が飛び立つように見えるからなんだ。
That sounds beautiful. When was it built?
それは美しいね。いつ建てられたの？
The current structure was completed in 1609. It has a long history dating back to the 14th century, but the main keep we see today was built by Ikeda Terumasa.
現在の構造は1609年に完成したんだ。14世紀まで遡る長い歴史があるけど、今見ることができる天守閣は池田輝政が建てたものだよ。
Wow, so it’s really old. How well is it preserved?
わあ、本当に古いんだね。どのくらい良く保存されているの？
Very well. It has undergone many restoration projects to keep it in good condition. The latest major restoration was completed in 2015.
とても良く保存されているよ。良い状態を保つために多くの修復プロジェクトが行われてきたんだ。最新の大規模修復は2015年に完了したよ。
I’d love to visit it. What can I expect to see there?
行ってみたいな。そこで何が見られるの？
You can tour the main keep, which takes about 1 to 1.5 hours. The castle has a complex design with many gates, stone walls, and towers for defense. The gardens and grounds are also beautiful to walk around.
天守閣を見学できるよ。大体1～1.5時間かかるかな。城は多くの門や石垣、塔がある複雑な設計で防御されているんだ。庭園や敷地も散歩するのに美しいよ。
That sounds amazing. Is there anything else to see nearby?
それは素晴らしいね。近くに他に見るべき場所はある？
Yes, right next to the castle is Kokoen Garden. It’s a traditional Japanese garden with nine different themed areas. It’s very peaceful and complements the castle visit well.
うん、城のすぐ隣に好古園があるよ。9つの異なるテーマエリアがある伝統的な日本庭園だ。とても静かで、城の訪問とよく合うんだ。
How much time should I plan to spend there?
どれくらいの時間を予定すればいいの？
If you want to see both the castle and Kokoen Garden, you should plan for about 2 to 3 hours. It’s a short walk from Himeji Station, so it’s very accessible.
城と好古園の両方を見たいなら、2～3時間くらいを予定するといいよ。姫路駅からも徒歩で短い距離だから、アクセスも非常に良いんだ。
That’s good to know. What’s the best time to visit?
それは良い情報だね。訪れるのに最適な時期はいつ？
Spring and autumn are the best times. In spring, the cherry blossoms around the castle are stunning, and in autumn, the colorful leaves are beautiful. But it’s great to visit any time of the year.
春と秋が最適だね。春は城の周りの桜が素晴らしくて、秋は紅葉が美しいよ。でも、一年中いつでも訪れるのに良い場所だよ。
Thanks, Key. I’m really excited to visit now. I think I’ll go in the spring to see the cherry blossoms.
ありがとう、キー。今から訪れるのが本当に楽しみだよ。春に行って桜を見ようと思う。
You’re welcome, Mack. Enjoy your trip to Himeji Castle! It’s an unforgettable experience.
どういたしまして、マック。姫路城の旅を楽しんでね！忘れられない経験になるよ。
関連情報 / related information
姫路城
Introduction
Himeji Castle is a famous castle in Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. It is known for its beautiful white walls and elegant design. The castle is also called the “White Heron Castle” because it looks like a white heron in flight.
姫路城は、日本の兵庫県姫路市にある有名な城です。美しい白い壁と優雅なデザインで知られています。この城は、白鷺が飛んでいるように見えることから「白鷺城」とも呼ばれています。
History
The current structure of Himeji Castle was completed in 1609. The castle has a long history that goes back to the 14th century. It was an important military base during the Warring States period and the Edo period. Over the years, the castle has been well-preserved through many restoration projects.
現在の姫路城の構造は1609年に完成しました。この城の歴史は14世紀に遡ります。戦国時代や江戸時代には重要な軍事拠点でした。多くの修復プロジェクトを通じて、長年にわたり良好に保存されています。
Features
Himeji Castle has a complex design with many gates, stone walls, and towers. This design made it very difficult for enemies to attack. The main keep is five stories tall and offers great views of the surrounding area. The castle is surrounded by beautiful gardens and grounds that are perfect for walking.
姫路城は、多くの門、石垣、塔がある複雑な設計をしています。この設計により、敵が攻撃するのが非常に難しくなっています。天守閣は五階建てで、周囲の素晴らしい景色を眺めることができます。城は美しい庭園と敷地に囲まれており、散歩に最適です。
Visiting
Himeji Castle is about a 15-minute walk from Himeji Station, making it easy to access. Touring the main keep takes about 1 to 1.5 hours. Walking around the gardens and grounds takes another 1 to 1.5 hours, so plan for a total of 2 to 3 hours. Next to the castle is Kokoen Garden, a traditional Japanese garden with nine different themed areas.
姫路城は姫路駅から徒歩約15分で、アクセスが簡単です。天守閣の見学には約1～1.5時間かかります。庭園や敷地を歩くのにさらに1～1.5時間かかるので、合計で2～3時間を予定してください。城の隣には好古園という、9つの異なるテーマのエリアがある伝統的な日本庭園があります。
Best Time to Visit
The best times to visit Himeji Castle are in the spring and autumn. In spring, the cherry blossoms around the castle are stunning. In autumn, the colorful leaves are very beautiful. However, the castle is a great place to visit at any time of the year.
姫路城を訪れるのに最適な時期は春と秋です。春には城の周りの桜が見事です。秋には紅葉がとても美しいです。しかし、この城は一年中いつでも訪れるのに素晴らしい場所です。
10の質問 / 10 questions
1: What is Himeji Castle?
姫路城とは何ですか？
Himeji Castle is a famous Japanese castle located in Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture. It is known for its beautiful white walls and elegant design.
姫路城は兵庫県姫路市にある有名な日本の城です。美しい白い壁と優雅なデザインで知られています。
2: Why is Himeji Castle called the "White Heron Castle"?
なぜ姫路城は「白鷺城」と呼ばれるのですか？
It is called the "White Heron Castle" because its white walls and graceful design look like a white heron in flight.
白い壁と優雅なデザインが白鷺が飛んでいるように見えることから、「白鷺城」と呼ばれています。
3: When was Himeji Castle completed?
姫路城はいつ完成しましたか？
The current structure of Himeji Castle was completed in 1609.
現在の姫路城の構造は1609年に完成しました。
4: What makes Himeji Castle special?
姫路城が特別な理由は何ですか？
Himeji Castle is special because it is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a National Treasure of Japan. It has a unique and complex design.
姫路城はユネスコの世界遺産であり、日本の国宝であるため特別です。また、独特で複雑な設計を持っています。
5: How long does it take to tour the main keep of Himeji Castle?
姫路城の天守閣を見学するのにどれくらい時間がかかりますか？
It takes about 1 to 1.5 hours to tour the main keep of Himeji Castle.
姫路城の天守閣を見学するのに約1〜1.5時間かかります。
6: What can you see in the surrounding area of Himeji Castle?
姫路城の周辺では何が見られますか？
In the surrounding area, you can visit Kokoen Garden, a beautiful traditional Japanese garden with nine different themed areas.
周辺には、9つの異なるテーマエリアがある美しい伝統的な日本庭園、好古園を訪れることができます。
7: What is the best time to visit Himeji Castle?
姫路城を訪れるのに最適な時期はいつですか？
The best times to visit Himeji Castle are in the spring for cherry blossoms and in the autumn for colorful leaves.
姫路城を訪れるのに最適な時期は、春の桜の季節と秋の紅葉の季節です。
8: How far is Himeji Castle from Himeji Station?
姫路城は姫路駅からどれくらいの距離ですか？
Himeji Castle is about a 15-minute walk from Himeji Station.
姫路城は姫路駅から徒歩約15分の距離にあります。
9: How has Himeji Castle been preserved?
姫路城はどのように保存されていますか？
Himeji Castle has been well-preserved through many restoration projects, with the latest major restoration completed in 2015.
姫路城は多くの修復プロジェクトを通じて良好に保存されており、最新の大規模修復は2015年に完了しました。
10: What kind of design does Himeji Castle have?
姫路城はどのような設計を持っていますか？
Himeji Castle has a complex, maze-like design with many gates, stone walls, and towers, making it difficult for enemies to attack.
姫路城は多くの門、石垣、塔がある複雑で迷路のような設計をしており、敵が攻撃するのを困難にしています。
words & phrases
英会話ダイアローグと関連情報に出てきた単語・フレーズです（例文は各３つ）。
plaster : 名詞
意味: 石膏、漆喰。A mixture of lime, sand, and water, used for coating walls and ceilings.
（姫路城の白い漆喰の壁の説明）
例文：
The walls of the castle are covered in white plaster.
「城の壁は白い漆喰で覆われています。」
He used plaster to repair the hole in the wall.
「彼は壁の穴を修理するために石膏を使いました。」
Plaster is commonly used in building construction.
「漆喰は建築において一般的に使用されます。」
take flight : 動詞句
意味: 飛び立つ。To begin flying, often used metaphorically.
（姫路城が白鷺が飛び立つように見えることを説明）
例文：
The birds took flight as we approached.
「私たちが近づくと鳥たちは飛び立ちました。」
Her dreams finally took flight with the new job offer.
「新しい仕事のオファーで彼女の夢がついに実現しました。」
The paper plane took flight and soared across the room.
「紙飛行機は飛び立ち、部屋中を飛び回りました。」
restoration : 名詞
意味: 修復、復元。The process of repairing or renovating a building, work of art, etc.
（姫路城の修復プロジェクトについて説明）
例文：
The restoration of Himeji Castle was completed in 2015.
「姫路城の修復は2015年に完了しました。」
The painting underwent restoration to bring back its original colors.
「絵画は元の色を取り戻すために修復されました。」
The old theater is currently closed for restoration.
「古い劇場は現在修復中で閉鎖されています。」
themed : 形容詞
意味: テーマに基づいた。Designed or arranged according to a particular theme.
（好古園の異なるテーマのエリアを説明）
例文：
The park has several themed gardens, each with unique plants.
「公園には複数のテーマガーデンがあり、それぞれ異なる植物があります。」
We attended a 1920s themed party last weekend.
「先週末に1920年代をテーマにしたパーティーに参加しました。」
The restaurant offers a variety of themed dining experiences.
「そのレストランでは様々なテーマのダイニング体験を提供しています。」
complement : 動詞
意味: 補完する。To add to something in a way that enhances or improves it.
（好古園が姫路城の訪問を補完するという意味で使用）
例文：
The peaceful garden complements the majestic castle perfectly.
「静かな庭園は荘厳な城を完璧に補完しています。」
The red wine complements the steak nicely.
「赤ワインはステーキをうまく引き立てます。」
Her skills complement his abilities, making them a great team.
「彼女のスキルは彼の能力を補完し、素晴らしいチームを作り上げています。」