A first look at Himeji castle across the city of Himeji from the train station
Himeji Castle seen from a park outside of the compound wall
The magnificient White Heron Castle
Himeji Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site, seen from a park outside the compound wall. Himeji-jo is the finest surviving example of early 17th-century Japanese castle architecture, comprising 83 buildings with highly developed systems of defence and ingenious protection devices dating from the beginning of the Shogun period. It is a masterpiece of construction in wood, combining function with aesthetic appeal, both in its elegant appearance unified by the white plastered earthen walls and in the subtlety of the relationships between the building masses and the multiple roof layers.
Himeji Castle mirrored in the moat outside of the protective wall
The "Magnificient White Heron" Castle
Himeji Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site, seen from outside of the northern compound wall. Himeji-jo is the finest surviving example of early 17th-century Japanese castle architecture, comprising 83 buildings with highly developed systems of defence and ingenious protection devices dating from the beginning of the Shogun period. It is a masterpiece of construction in wood, combining function with aesthetic appeal, both in its elegant appearance unified by the white plastered earthen walls and in the subtlety of the relationships between the building masses and the multiple roof layers.
Wall and Moat at Himeji Castle
The protective wall and moat with some fall foliage on the back side of Himeji Castle, Himeji, Japan
Beautiful tree-lined trail on the back side grounds of Himeji Castle, Japan
Beautiful tree-lined trail on the grounds at the back side of Himeji Castle, Japan
Bridge over the moat at the main entrance to the Himeji Castle compound.
Himeji Castle as seen from the grounds between inner and middle wall near the main entrance
At the inner wall of the Himeji Castle, Himeji, Japan
Main Keep and the smaller West and North-West Keeps of Himeji Castle
Blooming tree at the entrance to the main keep of Himeji Castle, Himeji, Japan
Detail of the roof structure of the Main Keep at Himeji Castle, Japan
Himeji Castle, which dates back to 1333, was one of the first registered UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Japan
Himeji Castle, which dates back to 1333, was one of the first registered UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Japan
The Long Corridor at Himeji Castle
The Long Corridor, called Hyakken-Rouka, with a total length of 240 meters, connects the rooms of the “Nishi-no-Maru” or West Bailey. Nishi-no-Maru is the house of Princess Sen-hime who married the lord of Himeji Castle, Tadatoki Honda. The pine wood corridor, polished by time, steps up at several points to indicate the increasing rank of the women who lived there.
Himeji Castle, located in the Hyōgo Prefecture in Japan, dates back to 1333, was one of the first registered UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Japan