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Castle

206 spots of this type across Japan.

Where to find them

What makes these worth the trip

  • Stone walls, earthworks and moats that have outlasted the buildings — on most sites they are what remains, and the scale is the sight.
  • A handful still keep an original or rebuilt main tower (tenshu); many more are ruins where only the layout of baileys and gates survives.
  • Castle grounds are often the town’s park and lookout, with cherry blossoms in spring and a view over the old castle town.

What you can do

  • Walk the circuit of walls and moats; information boards usually mark where the keep, gates and turrets stood.
  • Climb to the highest bailey for the view the castle was built to command.
  • Where a keep or museum stands, look inside for armour, maps and models of the castle as it was.

Good to know before you go

  • Hilltop and mountain castle ruins mean steep, uneven paths — wear walking shoes and allow time for the climb.
  • Most ruins and castle parks are open-air and free; a keep or museum, where there is one, has its own hours and fee.
  • Check the spot page for what is actually there before you go: a ruin may have no buildings at all.
Castle 206 Shrine 160 Mountain 96 Temple 96 Landmark 90 Lakes & falls 71 Museum 60 Hot spring 50 Park & garden 49 Coast 44 History 44 Island 43 National park 39 Cityscape 35

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