There were once approximately 20,000 to 40,000 castles in Japan, but many were lost due to the Meiji-era decree to dismantle castles and wartime damage. Currently, about 200 castles are open to the public, and among them is this castle, designated as a National Treasure and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Also known as “White Heron Castle,” it is affectionately called by this name because its beautiful white plaster walls resemble the graceful form of a white heron spreading its wings. It is a surviving castle keep that retains its appearance from approximately 400 years ago, and is sometimes referred to as “Japan’s Number One Castle” due to its beauty and ingenious defensive design.
The white walls stand out against the blue sky. This photo was taken from the Nishinomaru Garden.
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