setsuled | Himeji Besieged by Snow

Yesterday I visited Himeji Castle with my friend and co-worker, Miss Kimura. Himeji Castle is the largest in Japan and most of its current structures date from the early 17th century.

The castle has appeared in a number of movies, including Kurosawa's Kagemusha and Ran and the James Bond movie You Only Live Twice.

I don't know the lady with the interesting coat.

The lane leading up to the castle was decorated with Japan's ubiquitous nude statues.

What saxophonist wouldn't want to be memorialised wearing only a flatcap while playing?

Miss Kimura pets some naked pigeon statues.

Here we are together with the castle's main keep in the background, photo courtesy of a passerby.

By gad, my feet are big. Those boots are actually a size too small for me, too.

There was a surprise snowstorm while we were there. It was intensely cold but very dramatic. After lunch at a terrific noodle shop recommended by Miss Kimura, who is a resident of Himeji, we visited the castle's adjoining garden.

The snow came down the hardest when we were inside a little tea house. It was very picturesque.

Miss Kimura's picture of me taking pictures:

Me taking a macro shot:

And the shot: