Himeji Castle (姫路城) is a hilltop complex in Hyōgo Prefecture, regarded as the finest surviving example of prototypical Japanese castle architecture.  There’s a network of 83 rooms with advanced defensive systems from the feudal period.  The castle is frequently known as “White Egret Castle” or “White Heron Castle” because of its brilliant white exterior and supposed resemblance to a bird taking flight.  Himeji Castle dates to 1333 when Akamatsu Norimura built a fort on top of Himeyama hill; the fort was dismantled and rebuilt as Himeyama Castle in 1346 and then remodeled into Himeji Castle two centuries later.  And so on.  This unused old card has an English caption that unaccountably fails to name the castle’s exact location — but we know, and have told you.  Grade: 1