castle castle japanese castle complex located japan castle regarded finest surviving example japanese castle architecture comprising network buildings advanced defensive systems feudal period castle frequently known white castle white castle brilliant white exterior supposed resemblance bird taking flight dates built fort fort dismantled rebuilt castle centuries later significantly added story castle awarded castle help completely rebuilt castle expanding large castle complex buildings later added castle complex years remained intact extensive bombing world war natural disasters great earthquake largest visited castle japan registered country area middle moat castle complex designated special historic site structures castle designated considered japan premier castles order preserve castle buildings underwent restoration work years reopened public march works removed decades dirt restoring gray roof original brilliant white color history castle construction dates fort constructed hill ruler ancient son demolished fort built place clan stationed order clan feudal ruler castle completing work presented castle significantly castle building story area following battle granted castle son law reward help battle demolished story created completely rebuilt expanded castle adding transforming castle complex seen today expenditure labor involved expansion believed totaled million man days died passing castle son died years later family inherited castle added buildings castle complex including special tower daughter law period japanese castles destroyed abandoned castle corridors gates destroyed room japanese army barracks entirety castle complex slated demolished government policy spared efforts army colonel stone monument honoring placed castle complex gate gate spared japanese castles obsolete preservation costly han feudal system abolished castle auction castle purchased resident japanese today buyer wanted demolish castle complex develop land cost destroying castle estimated great spared heavily bombed end world war surrounding area burned ground castle survived intact dropped floor castle failed explode order preserve castle complex substantial repair work undertaken starting labor expenditure man days cost million january city substantially damaged great earthquake castle survived virtually undamaged demonstrating remarkable earthquake resistance bottle sake placed altar floor remained place historical recognition castle registered december japan structures castle designated main northwest small west small east small corridors kitchen area middle moat castle complex designated special historic site considered japan premier castles visited castle japan receiving visitors starting april underwent restoration work preserve castle buildings reopened public march design details castle largest castle japan serves excellent example japanese castle architecture containing defensive architectural features associated japanese castles curved walls said resemble giant fans principal materials structures stone wood feudal family installed architecture building signifying lords inhabited castle history complex located center hill called sea level castle complex comprises network buildings gates corridors turrets buildings designated important cultural assets corridors turrets gates walls highest walls castle complex height joining castle complex garden japanese garden created commemorate city 100th anniversary east west castle complex length north south length castle complex covers area hectares acres making roughly times large tokyo dome times large stadium main center complex high standing sea level main smaller subsidiary keeps form cluster towers externally appears floors second floors appear single floor actually floors basement basement main area interior contains special facilities seen castles including drain board kitchen corridor main pillars standing east standing west east pillar base diameter originally single fir tree original base west pillar japanese restoration japanese tree length brought replaced old pillar tree broken process tree brought trees joined floor floor main area called thousand mat room walls floor weapon racks holding spears point castle contained guns spears second floor area roughly floor area fourth floor area fourth floors platforms situated north south windows called stone throwing platforms defenders observe throw objects attackers small enclosed rooms called warrior hiding places defenders hide kill attackers surprise entered final floor sixth floor area sixth floor windows iron bars place feudal period view windows defenses castle contains advanced defensive systems feudal period shape circles squares located castle intended allow defenders armed fire attackers exposing roughly exist castle buildings remaining today angled called stone drop windows set numerous points castle walls enabling stones boiling oil poured heads attackers passing underneath white plaster castle construction resistance fire castle complex included outer moat buried parts central moat inner survive average width maximum width depth country moat pond exists inside castle purposes moat store water use fire prevention castle complex particularly waist quarter contains numerous warehouses store rice salt water case siege building known specifically store salt estimated contained bags salt castle complex use castle complex contained wells inner moat remain deepest depth castle important defensive elements confusing maze paths leading castle gates outer walls complex organized confuse approaching force causing travel spiral pattern complex way castle complex originally contained gates named according japanese etc present gates castle complex remain intact named according japanese cases castle turn greatly navigation example straight distance gate main path longer passages steep narrow entry system allowed watched fired lengthy approach attacked manner system remains today route clearly marked visitors trouble navigating castle complex cultural impact castle frequently known white castle white castle brilliant white exterior supposed resemblance bird taking flight castle featured extensively foreign japanese films including james_bond movie live twice ran television miniseries served stand feudal era osaka castle lost surrounding fortifications video game civilization revolution castle available build world landmark lore legend castle associated number local legends known japanese ghost story dish mansion set tokyo variant called dish mansion set castle disputed claim castle location entire legend alleged remains castle day according legend falsely accused losing dishes valuable family treasures killed thrown ghost remained night counting dishes tone legend old widow stone folklore story associated castle according legend ran stones building original story old woman heard trouble gave hand needed trade said people heard story inspired offered stones speeding construction castle day supposed stone seen covered wire net middle stone walls castle complex folklore story associated master carpenter construction according legend dissatisfied construction feeling little southeast eventually distraught climbed jumped death mouth visitor statistics april total number visits era restoration surpassed million gallery overview views views views night views views interior views cherry
Himeji Castle