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View the Playlist of all the Traveling on a Dime Episodes at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBkniXrs2bk&feature=share&list=PL2asu6bhj2yvbw6VTt0krGhlK6CX57m4P&index=1 Traveling on a Dime: Day 11, The Ruins of Takeda Castle, Machu Picchu of Japan. Sometimes the best adventures are the ones that just fall into your lap and unfold while you sit and enjoy. I wasn't expecting more than a bed for the night when I checked into the Engakudo Guesthouse in Himeji Japan. What I got was a restored Edo-era merchant house turned backpackers hostel, and a staff that was sky high with the spirit of New Year's. They showed me and the other guests how to make soba noodles for New Year's Eve dinner, and New Year's mochi for breakfast the next day. I would've done the traditional Japanese thing and taken it completely easy on New Year's Day if there hadn't been a castle for me to storm. Himeji Castle is the largest, most well preserved and beautiful castle in Japan. Completed in 1609, it was once the home of Princess Sen, Tokugawa Ieyasu's granddaughter. It's graceful architecture and white stucco walls have earned it the nickname, "White Heron Castle." My visit falls during a 6 year renovation that has the castle main keep tower wrapped up in a giant scaffolding tent. Until the renovation is complete in 2015, this is a unique opportunity to look back in at the castle from a white heron's eye view and see the restoration work in place. Himeji Castle was last restored in the 1950s. It could be a long while before the next restoration. Bryan is an expat English teacher, published writer and aspiring producer living in Niigata Japan. When he isn't writing articles for Japanese publications in English, he likes to spend his modest earnings to find inexpensive ways to travel and experience Japan. Traveling on a Dime is a periodic show of Bryan's adventures in one of the most expensive countries in the world. As he says, "It doesn't have to be expensive, and you can have an amazing experience even when traveling on a dime." More Japan traveling videos will be coming so subscribe to Grinning Studios for Japan Adventure updates! This is an episode of "Traveling on a Dime," produced by Grinning Studios' partner, Bryan Baier. The music is "Somethin's Missin'," by Graham Smith on his self titled album. You can pick up this great music from our favorite local musician at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/grahamsmith49 or on iTunes. We have full permission to use the music in the video. Thanks for watching. If you like these videos even a little, Please spread the butter on the bread! and by butter I mean the videos, and by bread I mean the social network of your choice. Share it wherever you share things, like it when you do, post your comments and show me your Nerdswagger. Stay Creative, It's Good For You. https://www.facebook.com/TravelingOnADime The show's Facebook page. http://grinningstudio.blogspot.com The blog. https://twitter.com/GrinningStudio Follow me on twitter. https://www.facebook.com/GrinningStudio Follow me on Facebook.