JP-608396 JP-737485 & JP-755870 Himeji Castle姫路城

Himeji Castle (姫路城) is a hilltop Japanese castle complex located in Himeji, in Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan. The castle is regarded as the finest surviving example of prototypical Japanese castle architecture, comprising a network of 83 buildings with advanced defensive systems from the feudal period. The castle is frequently known as Hakuro-jō ("White Egret Castle") or Shirasagi-jō ("White Heron Castle") because of its brilliant white exterior and supposed resemblance to a bird taking flight.

Himeji Castle dates to 1333, when a fort was built 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.

Himeji Castle is the largest and most visited castle in Japan, and it was registered in 1993 as one of the first UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the country. The area within the middle moat of the castle complex is a designated Special Historic Site and five structures of the castle are also designated National Treasures. Along with Matsumoto Castle and Kumamoto Castle, Himeji Castle is considered one of Japan's three premier castles.

This postcard was sent by Aiko (25 November 2014) Postcrossing.  The stamp shows Matsue Castle - (松江城, )  a feudal castle in Matsue in Shimane prefecture, It is nicknamed the "black castle" or "plover castle" and it is one of the few remaining medieval castles in Japan.
I have received a second postcard of Himeji Castle.  This one came from Masayo (16 October 2015) Postcrossing and shows the castle in springtime.

The third postcard of Himeji Castle shows the castle in wintertime.  This postcard came from Katsao (27 November 2015) Postcrossing.