Japan’s Best Castles? Our 10 Favorites and Why You Should Visit Them!

Japan’s Best Castles? Our 10 Favorites and Why You Should Visit Them!

Japan once had hundreds of castles, standing as 
formidable strongholds across the country. These days, not quite as many remain, but those that do, 
have rich stories waiting to be explored. Over the years, our team has visited dozens of them, and in 
this video we’re going to share our ten favorites. But before we dive into the ranking, here is a 
very quick beginner’s guide to Japanese castles. Most castles you’ll see in Japan today are big, 
beautiful landmarks right in the middle of cities. But that wasn’t always the case. The first castles 
were simple mountain fortresses: tough to reach, and built for defense during a time when 
clashes between rival clans were frequent. But, about 450 years ago, things changed. 
Castles started to be built as symbols of power, in the centre of cities, rather than simply just 
for defence. These are the castles we know today: wide moats, tall stone walls, intimidating 
gates, and towering above it all, the main keep. Over the years, many were lost to war, fires, 
or just plain neglect. These days, only twelve so-called original castles remain in Japan. 
But what does that even mean? Original castles are those whose main keep has survived intact 
since the end of the feudal era. Essentially, they’re the ones that are still standing in 
wood since the time of the samurai. The rest? Around a few dozen modern reconstructions 
that are usually concrete on the inside. So with that quick background out of the way、 
let’s jump into our top ten castles in Japan. Starting with Number 10 – Osaka Castle We love Osaka Castle for its sheer size. 
In fact, only Edo Castle (today’s Imperial Palace in Tokyo) was bigger. The stone 
walls here are the tallest in Japan, and it really is impressive seeing 
the moats and massive stones up close. The main keep you see today is a concrete 
reconstruction. From the outside, it looks great, but the inside does 
feel more like a modern museum. The big highlight though? The panoramic views 
from the top floor are absolutely worth it. Number 9: Matsue Castle Matsue Castle is known for its striking black 
exterior, few keeps in Japan look this sturdy and imposing. One of the best ways to experience 
it is on a moat cruise in a low sightseeing boat. In winter, they even set up little kotatsu 
tables inside to keep passengers warm, which makes the ride feel 
extra cozy and atmospheric. Number 8: Kumamoto Castle Just like our previous entry, Kumamoto Castle’s 
main keep is also a striking black colour, but that’s not the only reason why we think it’s 
great. Its huge grounds, elegantly curved walls, and many interesting structures like turrets 
and a palace, make it one of our favourites. It did suffer heavy damage in the 2016 earthquakes 
and restoration is ongoing. But the upside? You actually get some unique viewpoints of 
the castle while it’s being repaired. Number 7: Iyo-Matsuyama Castle Two big reasons why we love Iyo-Matsuyama Castle: 
First, its main keep. It’s not the tallest, but it’s made up of multiple keeps and 
turrets, which is rare in Japan. That gives it a really complex look on the outside 
and an intricate layout to explore inside. Second, the setting. It sits on a hill right in 
the middle of the city, with views over Matsuyama and the Seto Inland Sea. And in spring, when the 
cherry blossoms bloom, it’s absolutely stunning. Number 6: Hikone Castle Hikone Castle’s main keep may be small, 
but it packs in a lot of character. In particular, it’s famous for mixing 
different architectural styles: check out those cool curved gables. 
The approach up to the castle is also really unique: a spiral path designed 
to expose intruders from every angle. On top of that, Hikone is one of the few 
castles where part of the original palace has been rebuilt. And the grounds 
include a beautiful Japanese garden, with the castle keep as perfect borrowed scenery. Number 5: Shuri Castle
Shuri Castle was the main fortress of the Ryukyu Kingdom, which, until 
1879, wasn’t part of Japan. Now, it’s in Okinawa Prefecture. This unique history shows 
in its design: bright red walls, curved roofs, and a strong Chinese influence that makes it look 
completely different from other Japanese castles. Sadly, a fire destroyed much of it in 
2019. Reconstruction on the main hall is scheduled to be completed in autumn 2026, and 
we can’t wait to see it back in all its glory. Number 4: Bitchu-Matsuyama Castle What makes this castle really special is that 
it’s the only surviving mountaintop castle in Japan. This sets it apart from others that are 
built on hills and plains. This also means getting there isn’t easy: the hike up is tough, with 
steep trails and layers of old defenses along the way. The reward is a rugged, dramatic 
atmosphere you won’t find at other castles. And then there’s Sanjuro, the Cat 
Lord of the Castle. If you’re lucky (unfortuantely we weren’t) you might just 
spot him waiting at the top. Number 3: Nijo Castle Nijo Castle in central Kyoto is unique 
because it still has a surviving palace, and not just any palace, but the shogun’s own 
residence when he visited Kyoto from his base in Edo, now Tokyo. Most castle palaces were 
lost over time, and unlike the main keeps, they were almost never rebuilt. That makes 
Nijo’s Ninomaru Palace incredibly special. Walking through its audience halls and 
chambers is about as close as you can get to experiencing the world of Japan’s 
real samurai rulers. And don’t miss the famous nightingale floors: wooden corridors 
that squeak like birds to warn of intruders. Number 2: Matsumoto Castle This comes in at number two because, quite simply, 
we think Matsumoto Castle is the most beautiful of them all. Its black exterior is striking, 
and when it reflects in the moat, especially with cherry blossoms or the snow-covered Japan 
Alps in the background, it’s just breathtaking. The layout is also really fun to explore. You’ve 
got a fortified main keep, a secondary keep, and even a smaller tower that was added later just 
for moon-viewing parties during peaceful times. Number 1: Himeji And at number one, no surprises here: Himeji 
Castle. It takes the top spot for us as it’s Japan’s best-preserved castle; walking around 
its massive grounds really makes you feel what life was like in the age of the samurai.
The paths are designed to confuse invaders, and the elegant white main keep, surrounded 
by smaller keeps, is absolutely stunning. Himeji isn’t just for castle fans, it’s 
a must-see for anyone traveling to Japan. We hope you enjoyed this countdown and maybe got 
some inspiration for your next trip to Japan. Which castle would you put at number one? Let us 
know in the comments, we’d love to hear your pick! Thanks for watching, and as always…happy travels!

Japan once had hundreds of castles. Today, only twelve originals remain.
We’ve visited dozens of them across the country, from Okinawa to Hokkaido, and picked our ten favorites. Which one would you love to visit on your trip? Let us know!

Read more about Japanese castles: https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2296.html

00:00 Overview
01:51 Osaka Castle
02:30 Matsue Castle
02:53 Kumamoto Castle
03:27 Iyo-Matsuyama Castle
04:00 Hikone Castle
04:35 Shuri Castle
05:15 Bitchu-Matsuyama Castle
05:52 Nijo Castle
06:33 Matsumoto Castle
07:10 Himeji Castle

*Video Credits*
Narrator: Aimee Gardner
Videographer: Thomas Roennlund
Produced by: Stefan Schauwecker
_____________________________

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