Highlights of the White Heron Keep
Himeji Castle is a masterpiece of traditional Japanese wooden architecture. The castle’s central keep, at over 45 meters high, is one of the tallest wooden keeps ever built in Japan. From the outside, the keep appears to have only five stories, but inside there are seven floors, including a basement within the stone foundation.
Basement Level
Sink
Water from the basement sink drained toward the center of the keep and flowed north out into the courtyard. The sink’s precise purpose is unclear.
Toilets
The keep had two toilets in the basement. Since the castle never came under siege, the toilets were probably never used.