Top 100 Japanese Castles | Vegetarian's Japan Guide

Bitchū Matsuyama Castle Guide: Floating Castle & Sea of Clouds

June 16, 2026 / Autumn Foliage, Castles with Original Castle Keep, Chūgoku Region, Hidden Gems, Okayama Prefecture, Top 100 Japanese Castles

Imagine stepping onto a mountain ridge at dawn to find a 400-year-old feudal fortress completely suspended over a brilliant, white ocean of mist. Bitchu Matsuyama Castle (備中松山城) in Okayama Prefecture, famously known as Japan’s “Castle in the Sky”, is the country’s highest original surviving castle, and catching its ethereal unkai (sea of clouds) phenomenon is […]

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Takeda Castle Ruins: The Complete Castle in the Sky Guide

June 16, 2026 / Autumn Foliage, Cherry Blossom, Hidden Gems, Hyōgo Prefecture, Kansai Region, Top 100 Japanese Castles, Trekking/Hiking in Japan

Known as Japan’s mythical “Castle in the Sky,” the Takeda Castle Ruins (Takeda Jōseki, 竹田城跡) offer one of the most breathtaking views in Hyogo Prefecture. Perched 353 meters above sea level atop Mt. Kojōzan (古城山) in Asago City, these historic ruins appear to float on a breathtaking sea of clouds during clear autumn mornings, closely

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Himeji Castle surrounded by blooming pink cherry blossoms in spring

Himeji Castle Guide: Attractions, Tickets, & Vegan Tips

June 13, 2026 / 100 Landscapes of Japan, Autumn Foliage, Castles with Original Castle Keep, Cherry Blossom, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots, Kansai Region, Top 100 Japanese Castles, World Heritage

As Japan’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the country’s 12 remaining original keeps, Himeji Castle (姫路城), tops almost every traveler’s bucket list. Known as the “White Heron Castle Shirasagi-Jō (白鷺城)” for its brilliant white plaster walls and elegant, wing-like architecture, this 400-year-old masterpiece is the ultimate day trip from nearby Osaka or

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Kanazawa Castle Park: The Top Guide to the Historic Fortress

February 14, 2026 / Autumn Foliage, Cherry Blossom, Hokuriku Region, Ishikawa Prefecture, Top 100 Japanese Castles

Step back into the feudal heart of the Kaga Domain (加賀藩) with our guide to Kanazawa Castle Park (金沢城公園). Once the seat of the powerful Maeda clan (前田氏), this sprawling fortress stands as a testament to the “City of Gold’s” rich samurai heritage. While the original main keep was lost centuries ago, the meticulous reconstruction

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Morioka-jō Castle Site Park Guide: Historic Walls & Sakura

February 7, 2026 / Autumn Foliage, Cherry Blossom, Iwate Prefecture, Tōhoku Region, Top 100 Japanese Castles

Step back into the samurai era at Morioka-jō Castle Site Park (盛岡城跡公園), a stunning landscape of moss-covered granite walls and winding forest paths in the heart of the city. While the original wooden keep of the Nanbu Clan’s stronghold no longer stands, the park is celebrated as one of Japan’s “Top 100 Castles” for its

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Hirosaki Castle & Park: Japan’s Top Cherry Blossom Spot

January 11, 2026 / 100 Landscapes of Japan, Anime Pilgrimage, Aomori Prefecture, Autumn Foliage, Castles with Original Castle Keep, Cherry Blossom, Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots, Snow Scenery, Tōhoku Region, Top 100 Japanese Castles

As the crown jewel of Aomori’s cultural landscape, Hirosaki Castle (弘前城) and the surrounding Hirosaki Park (弘前公園) offer one of Japan’s most iconic historical experiences. Built in 1611 by the Tsugaru Clan, the castle remains one of only twelve “original survivors” in the country, standing as a rare testament to Edo-period architecture. While the park

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Hirosaki Park Heart Shape Cherry Blossom Aomori Japan

Hirosaki Travel Guide: Explore Japan’s Sakura Capital

January 3, 2026 / Aomori Prefecture, Autumn Foliage, Cherry Blossom, Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots, Tōhoku Region, Top 100 Japanese Castles

Discover the magic of Hirosaki City (弘前市), the cultural heart of Aomori Prefecture and Japan’s undisputed cherry blossom capital. Famous for the iconic Hirosaki Castle, this historic castle town offers a perfect blend of feudal history, stunning botanical gardens, and unique Western-style architecture. Whether you are visiting in spring to witness the “Sakura Carpet” on

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Tsuruga Castle Cherry Blossom Festival Aizu-Wakamatsu Fukushima Japan

Tsuruga Castle: The Only Red-Roofed Castle in Japan

October 18, 2025 / Cherry Blossom, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots, Tōhoku Region, Top 100 Japanese Castles

Speaking of Aizu-Wakamatsu‘s tourist attractions, Tsuruga Castle has to be at the top of the list. Although the castle was largely damaged during the Boshin War (戊辰戦争), the castle keep was restored in 1965. After restoring the castle’s red roof tiles in 2011, Tsuruga Castle soon regained its glorious appearance before it was dismantled in

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A Guide to Kawagoe Castle and the Historical Spots Nearby

February 20, 2025 / Kantō Region, Museums/Galleries, Saitama Prefecture, Top 100 Japanese Castles

To fully understand the history of Kawagoe, a visit to Kawagoe Castle (川越城) is a must. Whilst only the castle’s Honmaru remains today, a few museums were built where the castle’s outer citadel used to be. Together, these facilities paint a picture of the history behind the gorgeous old warehouse district. And the great news

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Sendai Castle – The Throne of Powerful Ruler, Date Masamune

January 31, 2025 / Miyagi Prefecture, National Historic Site, Tōhoku Region, Top 100 Japanese Castles

If you are a Japanese history buff, the first attraction you will want to visit once you arrive at Sendai must be the Sendai Castle (仙台城). The castle, situated atop Mt. Aoba or Aobayama in Japanese, was built by Date Masamune (伊達政宗), one of the most famous feudal lords in the late 15th to early

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