Himeji Castle, located in the town of Himeji in the Hyogo Prefecture of Japan, was built on a natural hilltop between 1581 and 1609 CE. The complex is composed of a maze-like arrangement of fortified buildings, walls, and gates, with a six-storey tower keep at its centre. The whole complex is surrounded by defensive walls and a double moat. The castle is the largest and best-preserved samurai fortification in the country and is both an official National Treasure of Japan and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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Definition
Timeline
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1333The hill upon which Himeji Castle stands was first fortified.
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1581The first version of Himeji Castle was built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
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1601 - 1609Himeji Castle is remodelled by Ikeda Terumasa.
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1618Several ancillary buildings are added to Himeji Castle.
