Himeji Castle

Himeji Castle (Himeji-jo) is the largest, most perfectly designed original castle that remains in Japan. It was also called the Egret Castle as the shape of the castle's layout centered on the five-tiered donjon resembled an egret about to take flight. It is known as the castle that the world recognizes as the symbol of Japan. Its predecessor was a castle built in the 14th century, but it reached its final (present) form in the beginning of the 17th century under the daimyo Ikeda Terumasa. His construction took eight years and required the labor of over 24,300,000 men. The donjon is about 31.5 m in height, over 46 m including the stone wall, and is designated a National Treasure along with other buildings. The interior of the donjon is of a practical construction and there are holes set in the walls for defenders to fire guns and arrows. Furthermore, 74 buildings such as turrets that held drums for announcing time have been designated Important Cultural Properties.