Himeji Castle

The white plastered walls and layered roofs of Himeji Castle give this fortress in Hyogo Prefecture its familiar name, White Heron Castle. Its origins reach back to the medieval period, but the surviving major complex chiefly reflects construction in the early seventeenth century. Wooden buildings stand within an elaborate defensive arrangement, showing how a feudal castle could serve both as a stronghold and as a seat of authority for its ruling samurai families. Preservation of the castle's historic fabric makes it especially useful for understanding Japanese military architecture.

The relationship between gates and winding approaches is as revealing as the appearance of the main keep. History enthusiasts can study a working defensive design, while architecture visitors can examine traditional timber construction. UNESCO's account identifies it as an important surviving example of early seventeenth-century castle architecture.