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Himeji

Pictures by QT Luong

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Himeji-jo castle, also named Shirasagi (the white egret) is recognized as the finest original castle in Japan, a masterwork of impregnability and grace, typical of Tokugawa Japan strongholds. Built in 1580 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, it is one of the handful of Japanese castles to have survived in their original form, having been home to 48 successive lords. Comprising 83 buildings with highly developed systems of defense and ingenious protection devices dating from the beginning of the Shogun period, it is dominated by one five-storied main donjon and several three-stories donjons. 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 castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Himeji is an easy day trip from Kyoto.

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Branch with cherry flowers and castle. Himeji, Japan ( color) Cherry blooms and castle. Himeji, Japan ( color) Roofs and cherry blossoms seen from the castle donjon. Himeji, Japan ( color) Rooftops and cherry trees seen from the castle donjon. Himeji, Japan ( color) Castle grounds with blossoming cherry trees. Himeji, Japan ( color) Castle grounds and walls with blossoming cherry trees. Himeji, Japan ( color) Blooming cherry tree and castle. Himeji, Japan ( color) Blossoming cherry tree and castle. Himeji, Japan ( color) Branches of cherry blossoms and castle. Himeji, Japan ( color) Towering five-story castle. Himeji, Japan ( color) Classic lines of the castle. Himeji, Japan ( color) Architectural detail of the castle. Himeji, Japan ( color) Roofs and walls inside the castle. Himeji, Japan ( color) Roof detail. Himeji, Japan ( color) Architectural detail of the castle. Himeji, Japan ( color) Rack of period riffles. Himeji, Japan ( color) Detail of heavy wooden door. Himeji, Japan ( color) Secondary structures in castle. Himeji, Japan ( color) Castle grounds and walls with cherry trees in bloom. Himeji, Japan ( color)
There are 19 color pictures of Himeji on this page

Places: Japan World Heritage Sites