10 best castles in Japan to Visit

Tours to new places is a type of fun that cannot be overestimated. You can travel there, by either taking a trip there or by reading about them.

Tourist centres are not just places of relaxation, especially places like castles, gardens, etc. You also get to learn about history, educate yourself about artefacts and take pictures that are enough to last you for a lifetime.

These castles are unique and outstanding castles in Japan, and educating yourself about them is simply fun. Scroll through our list of the 10 best castles in Japan to visit and see for yourself the wonders of these castles.

1. Kumamoto Castle

best castles in japan

Kumamoto is located at 1-1 Honmaru, Chuo Ward, Kumamoto, 860-0002, Japan. If you are high on flashy things, visiting this valley would be a great delight to you.

The rooms in the castle are top-notch and one of a kind as well. With each room, decorated in a Japanese bedding style and a touch of the colourful side of the western style, they are indeed beauties to behold. The guestrooms aren’t left out as too; they are all spacious, impeccably furnished and large. From these rooms, you can have a good view of the whole castle.

Accommodation wouldn’t be much of an issue for you. This is because the castle is located right in the middle of the city. You are given enough options to choose from. You can check out Tiga Guesthouse if you are looking for budget-friendly accommodation.

Note that the castle once suffered an earthquake in 2016. Therefore, it is always open to the public all the time, except for weekends and public holidays, unlike most of our other castle recommendations on our list of the 10 best castles in Japan to visit.

2. Matsue Castle.

Matsue castle is located at  1-5 Tonomachi, Matsue, Shimane 690-0887, Japan. One outstanding feature of this castle is that is one of the very rare castles across the whole country that is still living in its actual wooden layout till this very present day. It luckily evaded damage as it was erected some years after the enormous war of feudal that happened in Japan.

Currently, it operates as a magnificent castle to visit in the Sanin region. We wouldn’t be wrong to say that it is precisely the only one that remains there in the city, despite that the only thing left there now to admire is the castle edifice.

As regards accommodation, Kitano guest house is a good option, and it is located just 400m away from this magnificent Matsue Castle. In this location, you will escape the noise from city life while enjoying free Wi-Fi and a freecycle rental as well.

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3. Bitchu Matsuyama Castle

This almost-hidden magnificent castle is located at 1 Uchisange, Takahashi, Okayama 716-0004, Japan. The reason it is almost hidden is that it is not known by many tourists, especially foreign ones.

It is only relatively common among indigenous and surrounding locals because of its location. Bitchy Matsuyama Castle is located at 460m altitudes. The altitude is above sea level. Because of this outstanding location, it mostly looks like its structure is floating.

This is most conspicuous during winter and fall deadlines, especially during the early morning hours. For accommodation, YAWARA Guesthouse is a strong recommendation. It is a good abode that helps you relax and get a good rest. You also get some free incentives like free Wi-Fi, bike rentals without paying a dime, and free space to park your vehicle.

4. Matsumoto castle

Matsumoto Castle In Nagano, Japan - Epic Day Trip From Tokyo

Matsumoto Castle has its address in 4-1 Marunouchi, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-0873, Japan. It is a fifteen-minute walk if you are at Matsumoto Station. They’re opening and closing hour is between 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. This castle is also popularly referred to as “crow castle”.

This is because if it’s one of a kind exterior which comprises black color in all its glory. It resembles the hirajiro castle. This implies that, unlike so many others, it was initially constructed, not on mountains and hills, but on planes instead.

Despite that, this castle has undergone renovation do many times, it still regains its wooden structure allure, and this is responsible for its genuine ambiance. From this castle, you can also get to view many beautiful places in the city without so much stress.

As regards accommodation, the tabi-Shiro guest house is a good option. It is budget-friendly and not so expensive. You enjoy a relaxed visit, comprising unrestricted Wi-Fi, on-site pub, inexpensive breakfast, plus it is barely minutes off from the castle and station.

5. Odawara Castle

best castles in Japan to Visit

Odawara is located along  Jonai, Odawara, Kanagawa 250-0014, Japan. It is only a ten minutes walk from the East exit of Odawara Station and it is about an hour’s ride to Tokyo. They open from the hours of 9 am to 5 pm. In 1703, this castle has once experienced a natural disaster like an earthquake.

It was renovated after that, and since then, it was standing tall and strong. A hundred years later, it was dismantled again. Done if the parts of this castle were good out. With the use of a new model, it was restructured again in 1960.

Since then, it has to be the same firm and structure, and it is still there up till today. Be sure to learn about seeing many artifacts in this castle, as they contain many items of history.

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6. Osaka Castle.

The castle is located at 1-1 Osakajo, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 540-0002, Japan. You can get there from Osaka station by boarding a train to Osakajokoen Station. From there, with just a 15minites walk, you will get to this castle.

Their opening time is from 9 am till 5 pm. The castle there presently today isn’t the real one, this is just the one that was rebuilt in 1931 and worked on further in 1997.

Out of all our castle recommendation of the 10 best castles in Japan to visit, this castle is one that still keeps little of its historical looks and the inside of the castle still has some historical blend. But as of now, the modern look is quite obvious as well. An example is an elevator, holograms and all offer technological advancements that have been infused there. This castle remains the most notable and common castle in Japan.

According to the story that were told about this castle, it was built by a family and rebuilt by another family. It was later rebuilt again but destroyed by lighting. There are indeed interesting things that exist about this castle.

7. Himeji castle.

It is located in 68 Honmachi, Himeji, Hyogo 670-0012, Japan. If you are coming from Himeji Station, all that is needed is a fifteen to twenty minutes walk. This is one of twelve Castle in Nigeria that is still keeping the original structure that it was built with.

When world war 11 was being fought, one would give think that this castle would get destroyed, just like the other castles surrounding it. But this wasn’t the case. It has emerged unharmed, and since then, up till now, it has stood the test of time.

For the aspect of accommodation, Shironoshita guest house would be our strongest recommendation to you. It is just walking distance to Himeji castle, and it has all the necessary basic amenities.

8. Okayama Castle.

This castle has existed for over four centuries now. It has a long story of history attached to it and it is the most famous. It took over twenty years to build Okamaya castle, and they had the owner of the castle captured just three years after it was built.

During world war 11, the real castle faced destruction with only just one of its structures being able to survive the destruction. In the 1960s, the castle was reconstructed again.

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This time, it features a few technological features like an elevator and air conditioners as well. To enjoy a better view of Okanaya castle, you can view it from the broken garden, which is also one of the top best gardens in Japan.

Cozy hotel is an accommodation recommendation for you. With free Wi-Fi and the enjoyment of all the air conditioning, you will have your best stay here.

9. Nagoya Castle.

This castle is another castle with another great history of its existence out of the  10 best castles in Japan to visit. Its history is indeed one with both good and bad sides of the story. Indeed, the premise origin is not known to anyone, but indigenous still believe that the castle came into existence in the 15th century.

It is located at  1-1 Honmaru, Naka Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 460-0031, Japan and you can access it  From Nagoya Station when you venture from the  Meguru tourist loop bus. You will spend 250yen on your transportation, but it will take you only five minutes.

Their opening hour is between the hours 9:00 am–4:30 pm. During world war 11 as well, just like the way most other castles were destroyed, this castle was destroyed. But it needed to be rebuilt again.

The design and painting of this castle are something that makes it unique and outstanding. You will learn more about history by visiting this castle.

10. Wakayama Castle.

Wakayama Castle - Wikipedia

Wakamaya is where the famous temple is located. There is a temple located in the middle of kpyasan and they help provide you with all the basic amenities you would need. Its address is at  3 Ichibancho, Wakayama, 640-8146, Japan. You can reach there From Nankai Wakayami-shi STation. It is not so hard to locate, as it is just a ten-minute walk from there. They open from 9 am to 4:39 pm.

You wouldn’t guess it right,  but Rico Guesthouse is one of the nicest and decent guesthouses in the whole community of Wakayama. This guest house might probably be one of the nicest guest houses you will ever come across.

Conclusion

Visiting ancient castles is one big way to have fun. If you will travel there. You can go through our list of the 10 best castles in Japan to visit to get familiar with this, and even get more information on them peradventure you travel there.

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