Himeji Castle, a hilltop complex in Hyōgo Prefecture, is widely regarded as Japan’s finest surviving example of classic castle architecture and is famed for its white exterior and birdlike form. Originating as a fort in 1333, it was expanded over centuries, especially from 1601 to 1609 under Ikeda Terumasa, with further additions by Honda Tadamasa. The sprawling complex includes 83 buildings and a sophisticated defensive system of moats, loopholes, stone-drop openings, and siege stores. Unlike many Japanese castles, it survived the Meiji era, the 1945 bombing of Himeji, and the 1995 Great Hanshin earthquake. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993, it reopened in 2015 after major restoration.

Photo: Wikipedia · Public domain

Photo: Wikipedia · Public domain

Photo: Wikipedia · Public domain