10 Best Castles in Japan

The magnificent Himeji Castle was the first in Japan to be named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also called the White Heron Castle for its pristine white walls and elegant construction.

Located just an hour from Osaka in Hyogo Prefecture, the hilltop castle complex contains 83 interconnected buildings. It was constructed in the 14th century and expanded on in the following centuries. This national treasure remains largely unchanged since 1609, surviving WWII bombings and the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake. Explore the many buildings and labyrinthine paths, which feature a number of gates and baileys built to slow down attacking forces.

Constructed in the early 17th century, Matsuyama Castle is one of only a dozen feudal castles that survived the Warring States period largely intact. Its survival may be partly due to its black exterior, chosen to make the castle less visible from a distance, or its advantageous hilltop position. Located in Ehime Prefecture, this is the only castle on our list on the island of Shikoku.

Ride the open-air chairlift up to the castle grounds and enjoy panoramic views of Matsuyama City and the surrounding mountains. Inside the complex are exhibits on the castle's history and two sets of samurai armour for visitors to try on — if they can bear the armor's impressive weight.

Matsumoto Castle is one of the oldest and most complete castles in Japan. It retains its original wooden interior, unlike many castle interiors which have been rebuilt with ferro-concrete. The impressive exterior of the five-tiered tower is covered in black wainscoting, which gives it its nickname: the Crow Castle.

Navigating the steep stairs and low ceilings inside the castle, visitors see displays of Sengoku Period weapons and armour. Look out over the moat from the moon-viewing turret, a unique feature of this castle that was built as a place of relaxation.

One of Japan’s most-visited landmarks, Osaka Castle has a tumultuous history. It was built in the 16th century by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, intended to be the centre of a new, unified Japan. The scene of a number of conflicts, the castle was burned down and rebuilt several times. The castle we see today, with its mint green roof tiles and golden decorative elements, is a 1931 reconstruction.

The castle is surrounded by a moat and a wide green space dotted with hundreds of cherry trees. It’s a popular hanami spot each April.

Nagoya Castle was almost entirely destroyed in WWII fire bombings but has been largely returned to its former glory. The grand white keep with its sloping mint green roofs is surrounded by two moats and beautifully manicured gardens.

The keep is not currently open to the public, but the castle is still worth a visit to see its exterior and the meticulously reconstructed Honmaru Palace. The luxurious palace which served as living quarters for the castle lords has been rebuilt using traditional materials and methods. Exploring its rooms, visitors see spectacular recreations of 17th-century Kano School paintings which depict scenes of Nagoya city and the surrounding countryside.

Kumamoto Castle is considered one of the three most significant castles in Japan and boasts an extensive castle complex. Unfortunately, Kyushu’s most important castle suffered significant damage in 2016 from a major earthquake. The main keep and other structures were reopened to the public in 2021, while the Honmaru Goten Palace is still under reconstruction.

The black-walled keep consists of two towers, the main six-story tower, and a secondary four-story tower. Rather than a period restoration, the interior is modern with displays about the castle’s history and construction. Originally built in the early 16th century, Kumamoto Castle played a pivotal role in several historical conflicts, including the Seinan Civil War.

Nijo Castle served as the residence of the shogun in Kyoto and is one of the city’s 17 UNESCO sites. The broad castle complex features a wide moat, reinforced stone walls, and a hand-carved karamon gate. Constructed in 1603, the castle was used as an imperial residence for about 70 years before being opened to the public in 1939.

The main attraction is the Ninomaru Palace, five buildings made largely of cypress wood and tatami, miraculously surviving in their original form. Visitors will notice a peculiar feature: the so-called nightingale floors squeak when walked on, designed this way to warn of intruders. Outside of the palace is the Ninomaru Garden, recognised as one of the most beautiful landscape gardens in the country.

Like many Japanese castles, Tsuruga Castle in Aizuwakamatsu has a long history of being built and demolished and built again. Dating back to 1384, it had several iterations before it was demolished in 1874 following a battle between the shogunate and the new imperial army. It was named a national historic site and rebuilt in 1965.

The five-tiered castle features red roof tiles, an unusual colour among Japanese castles. The castle park is home to hundreds of cherry blossom trees and the Rinkaku Teahouse, where visitors today can still experience traditional Japanese tea ceremonies.

Matsue Castle is one of a small number of original feudal castles that have survived the wars and natural disasters of the centuries. Completed in 1611, the well-preserved wooden keep is a rare specimen that invokes nostalgia for the samurai era. Visitors must remove their shoes as they explore the inside so as to preserve the original wood floors.

The castle is nicknamed the Plover Castle for its black, white, and grey colouring. Marvel at the castle’s exterior from a riverboat ride around the moat and climb the tower’s steep stairs to the top floor for outstanding views of Matsue City and Lake Shinji.

Okayama Castle is a stunning six-story castle on the banks of the Asahi River. As a crossroads for trade and transport, Okayama Prefecture is home to several castles, this one being the most significant and visually impressive.

A replica of the original 16th-century castle that was destroyed in the Second World War, the castle features black lacquer walls and gold decorative elements. The restored castle houses a café offering local specialities, a shop with kimonos for rental and a pottery studio where visitors can try their hand at crafting Bizenyaki ceramics.