Japanese castles were built mainly with stone and wood. These evolved from the wooden buildings of previous centuries to the forms that arose at the end of the 16th century using the stone at the base of the castle. The high stone foundations, covert walls of lime and the organization of the buildings within the complex, are the standard elements of any Japanese castle.
One of the most important defensive elements of the Castle is the labyrinth with various paths that led to the main tower. The Castle has a complex of doors and walls very organized in its interior, and that had as objective to confuse the invading forces and attack them in a faster and more efficient way, due to the intricate roads towards the main tower. The elaborate defensive measures of the castle represent the best strategic design that occurred in that period.
The small openings in the walls that line the road would allow the defenders to bombard their enemies with anything. The doors, including the luxurious Hishi Gate, were constructed with narrow openings to prevent the advance of large groups. Even the white walls were a measure of defense: the plaster covering of the wooden structure helped protect the building and its occupants against fire, as did the ceramic tiles. With this combination of tactical circulation and defensive materials, Himeji Castle was not just an elegant palace: it was an almost impenetrable fortress.