Himeji of Japan

Himeji is also known as "White Heron" because the Japanese believe that the image of a noble bird, the white heron, represents the gentleman's noble purity. Himeji Castle is one of Japan's "Three Precious National Citadels (Three Great National Treasures)," along with Matsumoto Castle and Kumamoto Castle. Himeji is the most well-known of the three castles.

Himeji Castle, the largest castle in Japan, was built on top of Himeyama hill 45.6m above sea level. This castle is famous not only for its large main tower but also for its network of 83 buildings with fortified defense systems from the feudal period, complex like a labyrinth. Of these 83 buildings, 74 are designated Important Cultural Properties: 11 corridors, 16 turrets, 15 gates, and 32 earthen walls. The highest walls in the castle complex with a height of 26 m (85 ft). Joining the castle complex is the Koko-en Garden, a Japanese garden created in 1992 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the city of Himeji.

The Himeji Castle complex is 950 to 1,600 meters long from east to west, and 900 to 1,700 meters long from north to south. The castle complex is 4,200 meters in circumference. It has a total size of 233 hectares (2,330,000 m2).