Himeji castle or White Heron castle, many could see in famous films – for example, in the film from the James bond "you only Live twice", in the masterpieces of Akira Kurosawa's "Shadow warrior" and "RAS", and also in the movie "the Last samurai". Attention filmmakers to this castle is quite clear – the white main building with a seven-tiered tower is very beautiful and served as a model for the construction of other castles in Japan. The building is also recognized as a classic example of Japanese architecture. The castle, which seems graceful, is actually a well-fortified defensive structure with dark interiors.

Currently it is one of the oldest Japanese castle, which since 1993 is included in the world heritage list of UNESCO. The name of the castle mountain gave Hime at whose foot it was built in the mid-fourteenth century. The year of establishment is considered to 1333, when Akamatsu Norimura built a Fort on top of a hill. The Fort was demolished and rebuilt in the form of a castle. Over time, under the walls of the castle rose the whole city, also called Himeji. The castle complex consists of 83 buildings and the gardens, for defensive purposes was created in the form of a labyrinth to confuse the enemy. However, when the hedge maze was completed, in Japan came relatively calm times, and armed conflicts between feudal lords ceased.

The castle as a trophy passed from one clan to another, and at the end of the XVI century, its owner was the military leader Toyotomi Hideyoshi appointed in this castle by the Emperor. Castle went to the ruler in a torn and unsightly, so Hideyoshi ordered the overhaul. The next owner Ikeda Terumasa, to whom the castle was granted for military prowess, has also influenced the look of the castle. So, were built with a 45 metre main tower of seven tiers, additional towers, other buildings, and a garden maze. The reconstruction was completed in 1618, and since then the appearance of the castle has not changed.

Miraculously, the castle was not damaged during the bombings of World war II, his condition is not affected by natural disasters, even the Great Hanshin earthquake of 1995, so strong was its design.