A Shachihoko as a signpost to Himeji Castle
Shachihoko is an imaginary sea animal like a fish with a scary tiger face. The roof of Himeji Castle is decorated with many statues like this in different sizes.
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.
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
Close-up of Himeji, the White Heron Castle, Japan
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.
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.