Itatehyozu is the old guardian shrine of Himeji, sitting east of the castle on the route the historical processions took into town. It is far smaller than the famous shrines of Kyoto and Nara, but the cedar trees in the precinct are old and the courtyard is usually empty.
The shrine's main festival, in October, brings out heavy ceremonial yatai floats that are paraded through the surrounding streets — a noisy and physically punishing event for the carriers. The walk between the castle and Itatehyozu passes a clutch of small temples and is a pleasant alternative to retracing your steps down Otemae-dori.