Okiku Well at Himeji Castle is a famous well that exists within the castle and is widely known as the setting for the Japanese ghost story ”Banshu Sarayashiki. This well is located near the Nishinomaru Garden of Himeji Castle and has deep ties to the story based on a legend. At the center of the story is a maid-in-waiting named “Okiku,” who was in charge of ten plates, heirlooms of her lord. One day, however, one of the plates goes missing, and Okiku is held responsible. Other traditions say that she was falsely accused or that she actually damaged the plates. It is said that Okiku incurred the wrath of her lord and was thrown into a well, where she lost her life. After Okiku's death, it is said that night after night the well began to echo with the sound of voices counting plates, “One, two...” and this ghost story was passed down through the generations. The existence of the well has remained in people's memories as a symbol of this tragedy, and today it is a special place for tourists visiting Himeji Castle. Okiku Well is a spot that, through its stories, deeply colors the history and culture of Himeji Castle, and at the same time, symbolizes the traditional Japanese culture of ghost stories. Standing at the spot, many tourists can feel the weight of the legend and the charm of Himeji Castle.