Himeji Castle and its iconic white plaster walls (photo courtesy Himeji Castle)
Japan’s Himeji Castle dates back to the 1300s but at the time it was just a fort on a hill. Its current form really took shape in the early 1600s and since then it has remained intact. And in 1993 it became one of Japan’s first landmarks to receive the UNESCO World Heritage Site declaration.
Himeji Castle is not only the largest castle in Japan but also the oldest surviving castle. The reason? “Battles were never fought here.” And to commemorate the 30-year anniversary of the castle’s heritage status the castle is spreading this message of peace.
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