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Kumamoto Castle
One of Japan's Three Premier Castles
Under restoration after the 2016 and July 2026 earthquakes. The main tower has reopened, but chec...
Matsue Castle
A National Treasure known as the 'Black Castle', one of only 12 original castles and the sole sur...
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Okayama Castle
The Crow Castle, Okayama's Black Fortress
A striking black castle nicknamed 'Crow Castle' for its dark exterior, standing across the Asahi ...
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Hikone Castle
A National Treasure castle near Lake Biwa, one of only five castles with an original keep designa...
Photo: Saigen Jiro / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
Kochi Castle
One of just 12 original castles, Kochi is the only castle in Japan to retain both its original to...
© Yamaguchi Yoshiaki from Japan / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Matsuyama Castle
One of Japan's 12 original castles, this hilltop fortress offers sweeping views over Matsuyama an...
Photo: ほっきー / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
Nijo Castle
UNESCO World Heritage flatland castle. The floors squeak when you walk, designed as a security al...
© Nikos Kitsakis / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Himeji Castle
Japan's Most Spectacular Castle
Japan's best preserved feudal castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the White Heron Castl...
Matsumoto Castle
Japan's Premier Black Castle
One of Japan's five National Treasure castles, famous for its striking black exterior and alpine ...
Iga-Ueno Castle
Rising above the legendary birthplace of ninja culture, Iga-Ueno Castle has Japan's tallest stone...
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Osaka Castle
Symbol of Osaka
One of Japan's most famous landmarks, a reconstructed castle housing a museum about the unificati...
Sumoto Castle Ruins
Hilltop Castle Ruins with Panoramic Views of the Seto Inland Sea
A hilltop castle ruin on Awaji Island with Japan's oldest remaining concrete-built tenshu replica...
Nagoya Castle
Castle with golden shachi roof ornaments and a faithfully reconstructed Honmaru Palace.
Kokura Castle
Kokura Castle - Edo-Period Castle with Unique Architecture
An Edo-period castle in the heart of Kitakyushu, notable for its distinctive karazukuri architect...
Shuri Castle
Ryukyu Kingdom's Royal Palace
The reconstructed royal palace of the Ryukyu Kingdom, a mix of Chinese and Japanese architecture ...