Himeji Castle from Otokoyama Haisuiike park photo spot

Himeji Castle is a hilltop Japanese castle located in Himeji, in the Hyōgo Prefecture of Japan. It is regarded as the finest surviving example of prototypical Japanese castle architecture, comprising a network of 83 buildings with advanced defensive systems from the feudal period. The castle is frequently known as the "White Heron Castle" due to its white exterior and supposed resemblance to a bird taking flight. It was registered as one of the first UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Japan in 1993.