Himeji Castle. Most famous castle in Japan, also known as "white egret castle". More than 600 yrs old, but present structure was built 400 yrs ago by Tokugawa Shogun, totally wooden but coated with white plaster and well-defended by walls, ramparts, towers and moats. Climbing up the 6 floors of the castle tower was a bit of a challenge - narrow, steep wooden staircases (more like ladders). Featured in 007's "You Only Live Twice" and countless samurai shows. Himeji Castle is registered on UNESCO's World Heritage list.
Stopped by in Himeji for 3 hours while traveling on the shinkansen (bullet train) from Hiroshima to Osaka 10/8/04. Himeji is some 650km west of Tokyo. After stowing my backpack in the coin locker at the Himeji station, it was a 15-min brisk walk to the castle which was built atop a hill north of the city centre.
Pics' descriptions:
Pic #1 - View of castle from near the main gate.Model of internal wooden structure of Himeji Castle.
Pic #2 - View of main street in Himeji from top floor of castle. The train station is behind the building at the end of the street.
Pic #3 - Model of internal wooden structure of Himeji Castle.
Pic #4 - View of castle from the garden below it.
