
Himeji Castle, a national treasure and a world cultural heritage site, will undergo a 'repair of the century' from fiscal 2009. The repair will chiefly be done to its castle tower which stands about 46 meters tall.The tower externally appears five-storied, but internally has seven floors, including a basement...In the previous major repair from 1956 to 1964, the castle tower was dismantled and reassembled. In the upcoming repair, the tower's plaster coating damaged with the passage of time will be repainted, and roof tiles will be replaced. Anti-seismic reinforcement work will also be carried out. More than three years will be required for the repair. Next year - a year before the repair - will mark the 400th anniversary of the castle's completion and the 15th anniversary of its inscription on the World Heritage List.Around the castle, the 25th National Confectionary Exposition will be held from April 18 to May 11, 2008...more...