Himeji-jō: Japan's 17th-Century 'White Egret' Castle

Japan's most magnificent feudal castle, Himeji-jō is the finest surviving example of early 17th-century Japanese castle architecture, made up of over eighty buildings spread across multiple baileys, including the imposing 150-feet tall tower, connected by a series of gates and winding paths. Although there have been fortifications in Himeji since 1333, the castle was gradually enlarged over the centuries by the various shogunate clans who ruled over the region. The castle is a masterpiece of wood construction, combining function with aesthetic appeal, both in its elegant appearance unified by the white plastered earthen walls and in the subtle relationships between the building masses and the multiple roof layers. It was originally encircled by three moats, two of which still survive. One of the first UNESCO Heritage sites to be registered in Japan, Himeji is nicknamed Shirasagi-jō - The White Egret Castle - due to its bird-like silhouette and white exterior plaster walls. Unlike many other Japanese castles, it was never destroyed by war, earthquake or fire and survives to this day as one of the country's twelve original castles.

One of Japan's greatest historic sites, several rings of walls and moats served as the main defence of Himeji although the middle moat is all that survives

Nicknamed Shirasagi-jō - The White Egret Castle - for its lustrous white plaster exterior and stately form on a hill, many say it resembles a bird taking flight

The Castle's main gate, Otemon Gate

Himeji is a masterpiece of wood construction, combining function with aesthetic appeal, 

and in the elegant relationship between the building masses and the multiple roof layers

Japan's most magnificent feudal castle, Himeji-jō is made up of over eighty buildings spread across multiple baileys connected by a series of gates and winding paths 

The castle was reopened in 2014 after a five-year renovation

Kokoen Garden is a beautiful Japanese-style garden with the magnificent Himeji Castle as its backdrop

The pond was brimming with enormous koi

There are nine different gardens within Kokoen, including a Japanese water garden, 

a tea garden, an evergreen garden, a bamboo garden and a flower garden

Thatched Garden Pavilion overlooking Kokoen's water gardens

One of the many gardeners keeping Kokoen looking its best

Japanese Grape Hyacinth

A waterfall in Kokoen's water garden

Stepping stones over the stream and antique stone lantern in the moss garden 

The gardens are built in the style of the Edo period matching the architecture of Himeji Castle,

and was designed by some of Japan's top landscape artists and architects