Himeji Castle, Himeji, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan Apr 6, 2024

Himeji Castle, Himeji, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan

Today"s snapshot features the largest and most visited castle—Himeji Castle! Dating back to 1333, this UNESCO World Heritage Site boasts an advanced defensive design and five National Treasure structures. The castle has also withstood time and nature"s fury, surviving the bombings of World War II and the Great Hanshin earthquake in 1995. The castle"s design embodies the quintessential characteristics of Japanese castle architecture, boasting a formidable array of defensive features intertwined with exquisite craftsmanship. In addition to the nearly 700 years of glory, local legends and ghost stories reverberate through the 83 rooms of this hilltop fortress. Would you care to explore?

© Julian Elliott Photography/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

A pink moon over Arizona

More Desktop Wallpapers:

An unbreakable bond between siblings
Jan 7, 2024Devils Marbles Conservation Reserve, Australia
A place where Buddha attained enlightenment
When being in a rut is OK
Stairway to heaven?
Welcome to the worlds yoga capital
A day for cousins of every stripe
Protecting the gentle giants
Apr 8, 2024Burrowing owl chicks
A bridge that holds up history
God’s Own Country
Apr 2, 2024Beech trees and anemone wildflowers, Jutland, Denmark
Festival fever
Feb 9, 2024Pegadung Rock, Lampung, Sumatra, Indonesia
Pride and Joy
Oct 8, 2023World Octopus Day
Finding beauty in ruins
The Big Apple with a foggy topping
The festival of colours
What is this grand structure?
World Hippo Day, a giant celebration
Gateway to Latin America
Jan 27, 2024Northern hawk owl
Mar 16, 2024Giant panda eating bamboo
The sea that acts like a lake
Nothing says ‘San Francisco’ quite like...
Dec 17, 2023Bohemian waxwings
Desert daggers?
The pillar of democracy
Dec 25, 2023Christmas Day