On a trip to Japan, you may be expecting many things such as bright lights, big cities, cherry blossoms, and hot springs. You would be forgiven however for not immediately thinking of Japan as a country with an abundance of castles, but actually, nothing could be further from the truth. The country is dotted with these majestic buildings although you should note that some of these are reconstructions as the originals were lost. Still, Japan’s castles, restored or not, can be the highlight of a trip to this amazing country, so make sure not to miss at least some of these off your itinerary if you are in the area.
Here are the top 10 castles to visit in Japan.
1) Osaka Castle
This is arguably one of the most famous castles in all of Japan and towers eight floors high. It is also, in keeping with many of the castles in Japan, encircled by a scenic moat. The castle dates from the 16th century although it was razed by a fire and had to be reconstructed. If you are in Osaka then this is a must-visit attraction. The grounds of the castle are also scattered with cherry blossom trees which are stunning when they are in full bloom during April and May.
2) Okayama Castle
Okayama Prefecture has a number of famous castles such as Okayama Castle which was constructed in 1597. Visitors to the castle may remark upon its striking black color, and for this reason it is often called ‘Crow Castle’ in Japanese. One thing to look out for here is the signature gargoyles in the shape of golden fish which are restorations of the originals. This is also one of the more accessible castles in Okayama as it has exhibits that tell the story of the evolution of the castle over the years.
3) Nijo Castle
Dating from 1603, Nijo Castle in Kyoto is a relic of the Edo Period and would have been an imperial palace in the days of old. It was the former home of Tokugawa Ieyasu and in recent years has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. One of the best features of this castle is that it is one of the few in Japan to still stand much as it would have in ancient times and this is a great spot to enjoy the traditional architecture that was used in the feudal period of Japan’s history.
4) Inuyama Castle
Sitting in pretty Aichi Prefecture, in the city of Inuyama, is Inuyama Castle which predates the Edo period. It is one of the oldest castles in Japan as it has not been reconstructed and it offers exquisite views over local attractions such as the mighty Kiso River. With that in mind, make sure you climb to the top of the castle to make the most of the vistas on offer. You will also find a museum here that tells the story of the historical and cultural relevance of this castle.
5) Nagoya Castle
Located in Nagoya in central Japan sits Nagoya Castle which is another castle from the Edo period. The castle has gone through several stages and would have been built in the 1520s before being added to and renovated in the 17th century. During the Second World War, the castle changed yet again and became an important military base as well as an internment camp for prisoners of war.
6) Shuri Castle
Shuri Castle is probably one of the least visited castles in Japan, simply because it is located in Okinawa which many travelers fail to reach on a trip here. Okinawa is known for having a completely different feel to much of Japan and this is easily reflected in Shuri Castle which architecturally looks more like a grand temple than a traditional castle. It would have been the seat of the Ryukyu Kingdom although it was pretty much razed to the ground in 1945 and then reconstructed in 1992. However, on the morning of 31st October 2019, a huge fire broke out and destroyed the main buildings including the main hall, north hall, and south hall.
7) Aizuwakamatsu Castle
Aizuwakamatsu Castle in Fukushima is actually a castle of two names as it is also sometimes referred to as Tsuruga Castle. Dating from 1384, it was destroyed in 1868 and rebuilt. The castle is of great historical significance in Japan as it was taken over during the Boshin War which saw the end of the feudal period in Japan and the establishment of the Meiji government. At this time, the castle was occupied by samurai who fought to the end to protect the Tokugawa Shogun.
8) Himeji Castle
Himeji Castle is situated in Hyogo Prefecture and is widely said to be one of the best examples of castle architecture in Japan. The castle complex is made up of an impressive 83 different buildings and it also managed to escape being bombed during the Second World War, meaning that it stands much as it would have done years ago. It originally dates from 1333 and is a proud UNESCO World Heritage Site in Japan.
9) Matsuyama Castle
Constructed in 1603 by Kato Yoshiaki, Matsuyama Castle is one of the most prestigious castles on the island of Shikoku. The current castle was rebuilt in 1820 due to a lightning strike in 1784, however, they are also trying to restore parts of the castle that had been bombed by American forces during the second world war currently. Standing 132 meters tall, the view from the top of the castle is absolutely stunning.
10) Matsumoto Castle
Matsumoto Castle is one of the most famous castles in all of Japan and is listed as one of its national treasures. It is located in Nagano Prefecture so you can easily visit it from neighboring Tokyo. The area around the castle is as pretty as the building proper and you will find rivers and rolling hills all over the area. The castle dates from the 16th century although it has been lovingly reconstructed since then and is known for its elegant moats and intricate inner wall design.
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