Japan Castle Day Apr. 6, 2024

From Strawberry Day to Cat Day and even Vegetable Day, Japan has a list of faux holidays, which are the clever results of "dajare" or word plays. Today"s date, April 6, makes up the Japanese word for castle, "shiro" from "shi" (4) and "ro" (6). Hence, the celebration of castles. What better opportunity than Castle Day, to learn about the country"s largest and most visited castle—Himeji Castle? Dating back to 1333, this UNESCO World Heritage Site boasts an advanced defensive design and five National Treasure structures. The castle has also withstood time and nature"s fury, surviving the bombings of World War II and the Great Hanshin earthquake in 1995. In addition, nearly 700 years of glory, local legends and ghost stories reverberate through the 83 rooms of this hilltop fortress. Would you care to explore?

© Julian Elliott Photography/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

A pink moon over Arizona
Apr. 6, 2025Yellow warbler
Apr. 6, 2026Castle Day Japan

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Jun. 30, 2025Asteroid Day
Jul. 27, 2024Vineyards above the Moselle River, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
Who’s snoozing?
Warm light through an ancient forest
Sep. 16, 2025Nighttime view over the Gulf Coast
An old bridge in a new light
Jul. 15, 2024Marine Day, Japan
Jul. 9, 2025Independence Day of the Argentine Republic
Jul. 24, 2025Happy Cousins Day!
A glowing square of squares
Oct. 5, 2023World Teachers Day
A butterfly’s best friend
Dec. 22, 2024Christmas tree at Crystal Pier, San Diego, California, United States
Jun. 6, 202581st anniversary of D-Day
Apr. 14, 2024Bowling Ball Beach, California, USA
Aug. 8, 2025The Three Musketeers Falls at Iguazú Falls, Argentina
Dec. 1, 2025Antarctica Day
Blurring the lines with wearable art
Nov. 1, 2025Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, United States
Wait, mountain—you shall bear my castle!
Jun. 21, 2024National Indigenous Peoples Day
Jul. 25, 2025Colourful houses of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
Jan. 15, 2024Northern Lights
Dec. 7, 2024Lake Ontario, Toronto, during winter
May 27, 2025Mona Vale rockpool, Sydney, Australia
Nov. 1, 2024Vineyards in Varnhalt, Black Forest, Germany
Mar. 26, 2026Logan Creek Suspension Bridge, West Coast Trail, British Columbia
Oct. 28, 2023Castilla-La Mancha, Spain
Sep. 30, 2025Koala in the Great Otway National Park, Australia
Sep. 3, 2023Skyscrapers in Manhattan