6 Amazing Castles in Japan You Don’t Want to Miss
I love castles, and I love Japan. So whenever I’m lucky enough to visit, I make sure to see at least one.
In this post, I’m sharing six of the best castles you can visit while in Japan.
The best part? You can easily include half of them in a first-time Japan itinerary.
Japanese castles were built to protect and display wealth and power, much like their European counterparts.
At one point, Japan had over 200 castles; today, only 12 original ones remain.
Many were destroyed by fire or during WWII, while others were dismantled during the Meiji Period in the late 19th century as Japan rushed toward modernization.
Thankfully, many castles have been rebuilt using original plans and restored to their former glory.
Depending on your time in Japan and your itinerary, you can easily visit at least one of the castles I’m recommending in this post.
If you’re visiting Tokyo, Osaka, or Kyoto, you can visit three castles with minimal planning.
All three are definitely worth your time.
The other three will require a bit more planning, but in my opinion, they’re worth the effort if you want to see an authentic, original Japanese castle.
Castles You Can Visit on a Traditional Japan Itinerary
1. Edo Castle (Imperial Palace) -Tokyo
When visiting Tokyo, a visit to the Imperial Palace is a must.
Originally called Edo Castle, it was home to the powerful Tokugawa shoguns, making it the center of Japan’s politics.
Today, the site houses the Imperial Family’s palace and residence, as well as serene gardens and several museums that are open to the public.
I love that you can walk, jog, or simply stroll through the ancient gates and appreciate the ancient castle from a distance.
A peculiarity of Edo Castle is that it is a hirajiro or “flatland castle.”
This means it was built on flat terrain because there were no hills in the surrounding area.
The moat around the castle has defensive purposes making it more difficult for enemies to attack.
Today, the moats add to the beauty of the gardens and the building.
Tip
Because this visit is part of most tours of Tokyo, we recommend you arrive either very early before the tour groups or later in the afternoon when they have gone elsewhere.
2. Nijo Castle – Kyoto
Nijo Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must-see during your visit to Kyoto.
Like Edo Castle in Tokyo, Nijo Castle is a hirajiro or “flatland castle”.
This castle was mostly used as the residence for the Shogun and it has many residential buildings.
My favorite is Ninomaru Palace with its nightingale floors, the corridors make a chirping sound when you walk upon them.
The gardens of Nijo Castle are also worth a visit, especially during the plum season (around the same time as the cherry blossom season). Spectacular!
Nijo Castle can get busy, so I visited late in the afternoon and found the lines to be quite short.
Another alternative is to purchase tickets in advance through their website.
3. Osaka Castle – Osaka
Osaka Castle is not an original castle; the original was struck by lightning in 1665, and it burnt down.
In 1931, the current concrete reconstruction of the castle tower was built.
Inside, the castle is completely modern, featuring an elevator for easier accessibility.
Keep in mind that lines to enter can be over an hour long, so unless you’re part of a tour group, we recommend buying your tickets online in advance.
That said, there’s plenty to enjoy outside the castle tower!
The views of Osaka from this high vantage point are stunning, and the surrounding gardens are absolutely beautiful.
We decided not to go inside since we planned to visit an original castle and enjoyed the activities surrounding the castle instead.
Castles you’ll have to plan into your Japan itinerary
4. Himeji Castle (White Heron) – Himeji
Himeji is breathtaking!
I’ve been twice and I can go many more times. It’s just that beautiful.
With its brilliant white exterior, it is known as Shirasagi-jo or “White Heron Castle”.
Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Himeji Castle is a must-visit on any traveler’s trip to Japan.
This is one of the 12 original castles and the only one that has never suffered major damage from fire or war.
You can visit Himeji as a day tour from Kyoto or Osaka.
Alternatively, you can stop on your way to or from Hiroshima or the southern prefectures and islands.
During our trip together to Japan, we stopped for a little over half a day on our return to Tokyo from Hiroshima.
You’ll see the imposing castle at a distance when you exit Himeji train Station.
If you’re going to explore only one castle during your visit, this is it!
The rooms, tilework, and patios are all spectacular, and you can explore almost every building in the complex.
The views of Himeji are especially beautiful during Sakura (cherry blossom season) and Momiji (red maple leaf viewing).
If you want to experience a true Japanese castle from the Samurai era, there’s no better choice than Himeji
5. Kanazawa Castle – Kanazawa
This was a surprise during my last visit.
I included Kanazawa in my itinerary because of its garden and Geisha districts and was astonished at the sheer size of the Castle.
Kanazawa Castle was the seat of the powerful Maeda Clan, the second-largest feudal domain in Japan
The original castle burnt down several times over the centuries, and the most recent fires of 1881 were survived only by two storehouses and the Ishikawa-mon Gate.
Nevertheless, the Castle and its gardens have been rebuilt and they are impressive in their size and beauty.
Standing in the honmaru (main courtyard), I was reminded of Château de Chambord in the Loire Valley because of its sheer size.
Kanazawa Castle and the city itself were a great surprise.
It is a great alternative if you don’t have a lot of time but still want to see traditional Japanese culture.
You can read more about what Kanazawa has to offer here.
6. Matsumoto Castle (Black Crow) – Matsumoto
Where Himeji is famous for its white exterior Matsumoto is famous for its dark exterior.
Known as Black Crow, this castle will blow you away with its stunning architecture.
“Black Crow” is one of the original 12 castles that survives today.
It has the oldest five-tiered, six-story tenshu, main castle tower, in Japan.
I visited Matsumoto after Kanazawa Castle, and it did not disappoint.
While the gardens weren’t spectacular, the castle itself was stunning.
Inside, you can explore the tower and see its impressive wooden construction.
However, this castle isn’t very accessible—expect steep stairs and low ceilings in some areas.
Even though I arrived early, I still had to wait in a slow-moving line, especially as I climbed higher.
But the experience was absolutely worth it, both for the history and the incredible views from the tower windows.
Must-see during your visit to Japan
Japanese castles are as iconic as sushi—you can’t visit Japan without seeing at least one!
These six castles are easy to explore, whether it’s your first trip or a return visit.
For more castles to visit in Japan, check out this post from japan-guide.com for ideas and information.
I hope this inspires you to visit at least one of these Japanese castles and experience their unique beauty and architecture.
