Himeji, Japan

Despite its picturesque castle, Himeji is not a fairy tale. The former castle town draws over 2.86 million visitors annually, but the bureaucratic headaches of preserving a UNESCO World Heritage site are a persistent reality. The castle complex, comprising a network of 83 structures, has required 250,000 man-days of labor and 550 million yen in restoration costs since 1956. Even with these efforts, the castle has endured the bombing of World War II and the Great Hanshin earthquake, demonstrating its remarkable resilience. Himeji may appeal to history buffs willing to navigate its confusing layout of 84 original gates, but those seeking a simple life abroad should look elsewhere.