Himeji, Japan

View from the upper floors of the castle over the gardens

View to the main street leading from the station to the castle

City view from the castle

View from the upper floors of the castle

Model of the castle and city as it was in ancient times

Soldiers could defend the castle from mazes of walls

Guard tower and walls with holes to shoot though

Tall stone walls and guard towers abound

No mortar was used in these stone walls

Details on the end of the lead roof tiles

An old cherry tree blooms in a courtyard

Looking back at the castle from the gardens

Main castle keep

Inner wall with holes for gunners and archers

Guard tower and wall

Inner wall

Narrow passages with holes for defenses on the left

Soldiers used the holes in the wall for shooting at intruders