Himeji castle, one of the best preserved Japanese feudal castle complexes (83 buildings), built 1333-1346, expanded 1601-1608, destroyed in 1580 and rebuilt. …
View of the town of Himeji.
View of the castle compound and the new town.
Gate to the castle.
One of the 11 kinds of crest tiles, symbol of one of the lords who built or repaired the castle.
Back gate to protect the castle.
Building aimed at protecting the back of the castle, and well.
Ornament to cover nail heads.
Kao-gata (seal) used by the Samurai (warrior) society.
Inside the castle.
(Right) Portrait of Tadahiro Sakai, 1777-1837, lord of the castle.