Himeji, Japan

Hari-kiri courtyard for use as a last resort

Steps to the hari-kiri courtyard

Main castle keep

View from the walls of the lower courtyard

Large courtyard below the castle and lines of people waiting

Cherry blossoms everywhere

View from courtyard to lower courtyard and well

View over the lower rooftops to the modern city below

Lines waiting for admission to the main castle keep

Main castle keep

Crowds waiting in lines below the castle (90 minute wait)

Approaching the main entrance to the castle

Looking down on the courtyard from the entrance

Main entrance to the castle

View from the castle level

View of the city from the main castle level

Lacquered brass nail cover

Storage pegs for guns and other ammunition