Himeji Castle

Sunday Ritsuko took me to her hometown of Himeji, which is also home to one of Japan's most famous castles, and a location on the World Heritage Treasure's list.

Nara has the biggest Buddha and the most deer, Koyasan had coolest monks and Zen gardens, and Himeji - Himeji has THE castle of all castles.

Not only is it huge, it is distinctive its construction. When Hidoshi Hashiba built the castle in the 16th century, he was in grave need of stones - literally. Many of the stones which the castle is built upon are old Buddhist gravestones and coffins that Hidoshi pirated from the surrounding areas. Consequentially, as you stroll the grounds, each stone may have a different color, texture, and beautifully ornate mismatched ancient engraving.