Himeji castle is among the largest and most famous of the [[castles]] which survive from the [[Edo period]]. Originally built by [[Ikeda Terumasa]], it later became the home of the [[Sakai clan]] lords of [[Himeji han]] from [[1749]] onward.
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The main keep has five stories on its exterior, and seven floors inside. Known as a "coalition-style" or ''renritsu shiki'' keep, it is connected to three smaller keep towers by covered passages.