Japanese castles (城, shiro) were fortresses constructed primarily of wood and stone. They evolved from the wooden stockades of earlier centuries, and came into their best-known form in the 16th century. Castles in Japan were built to guard important or strategic sites, such as ports, river crossings, or crossroads, and almost always incorporated the landscape into their defense.
I think the best way to access this area is from Yurakucho station. It is an open area that used to be the Edo Castle. It is now home to the Emperor but you can see the remains of the buildings, the moat is huge and if you are really lucky you might actually witness a dignitary visiting the Emperor…(90 words)
Kumamoto Castle is located in Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture. The castle was built originally in 1467.I have visited many castles in Japan and this is my favorite. The curved stone walls are known as musha-gaeshi, which were built with wooden overhangs. These were purpose built to fortif…(109 words)
Kevin
Often said to be Japan's best example of a complete fortress castle, Himeji Castle is a picturesque beauty, sitting atop a hill in Hyogo Prefecture. It is often referred to as either a white egret or heron, referring to its white exterior and elegant shape, much like a great bird in flight.Som…(280 words)
mikekato
Odawara Castle is probably the best example of a castle to visit in the immediate Tokyo area. The museum in the main keep has a nice collection of artifacts, armor, and weapons. They have also done a great job reconstructing some gates and maintaining the castle groundsThe history of Odawara Castle…(340 words)
Kintaro-man
When you are in Odawara area, the Odawara Castle is worth a visit. It is actually located in a fairly short walk from Odawara Station. You can see it from the station as this castle is built upon a small hill. What I liked most is a beautiful red bridge leading across the moat into the castle g…(269 words)
EmiOnishi
I first visited Shibata in April 2013. Shibata is located in Niigata prefecture which is on the western coast of Japan's main island and is known for its pristine landscape. Within the prefecture is the second most extensive land area devoted to National Parks. Ijimino Park and Ominesan Sakura P…(171 words)
Dolores
Nobility, castles, vast open farm lands, Shōguns, and warring samurai mounted on horseback are what you would have seen if you were to travel to Edo, or Tokyo, back in the fifteenth century. If you have come to Japan to try and get a little glimpse or feel for that era in time, or if you just have…(336 words)
Alex
There is a small hill in front of my office and at the base of the hill, I can see old monument by the road that nobody notices. Writing in the monument is hard to read due to wear and tear except the name of the place that says "Ruin of Shidu Castle". There used to be a small castle on top o…(143 words)
kazmcqueen
Whenever my friends from overseas ask me what would be a classic thing to do in Japan, I always reply that visiting a medieval castle and staying in an onsen town (hot spring bath) are a "must". There is no doubt that a visit to Matsuyama City is the perfect way to combine both of these in one tri…(886 words)
Phil
If you wondered why Japanese people refer to Mt. Fuji as Mr. Fuji, you are not alone.When I first came to Japan, and actually until about two years ago, well okay, actually it still happens a lot, I was confused and continue to get confused by place names.In Japanese, Mt. Fuji is called Fuj…(604 words)
Komeda Coffee is a chain cafe that originated in Nagoya, and has since spread across the country. I often joke with my friends that Nagoya is the last place to be informed of the latest fads, but this time around, Nagoya became the trendsetter. Of the more than 400 stores nation-wide, in Aichi …(320 words)
Misa
"Get the latest updates here on Deep Japan as we collaborate with Tokyo Broadcasting System(TBS) Television, JNN(Japan News Network/TBS nation wide affiliates)'s seven-station network across Japan and Vietnam's VTV station to bring the people in Vietnam informative and fun reports from the fantasti…(823 words)
Dave
The Nisshinkan Samurai School“I always wanted to explore Fukushima so I headed north from Tokyo station for a short ride on the Tohoku Shinkansen Toward Koriyama station… I boarded our chartered bus on the way to Nisshinkan Samurai school located in Aizu. It was the most prestigious institution…(572 words)
DeepJapan
Many people, whether visiting Japan or residing here, long to experience the traditional side of this fascinating culture. They want to walk the streets as the samurai once did.But whether due to time or other factors, the prospect of a trip to Kyoto may be difficult. Even a visit to Nikko - th…(542 words)
GoodPeople
Iga-Ueno City's Ninja Festival celebrates Japan's famed warriors and its place in their history. Few iconic figures are more closely identified with Japan than the ninja; a combination of elite warrior and intelligence agent whose basic mission continues in various forms to this day. "The art o…(549 words)
GoodPeople
Himeji Castle in Kansai (an hour or so from Osaka) is a UNESCO world heritage site, and the most visited castle in Japan FOR A REASON- in my opinion the most impressive man-made site to see in the country. Learn about Japanese history, architecture and aesthetic culture in one place, and think of h…(82 words)
Scandi-La
Okuribito isn't exactly a Jidaigeki film, but since many samurai are sent to their great reward in the big castle in the sky Okuribito can be remotely related. In any case, it's an excellent film and if you haven't seen it you should. Watching it will give you a better understanding of the Japanese…(144 words)
Joe Peters
I love Kyoto. It is a city with a soul. A city where people actually live. (weird to so but when living in Tokyo, Kyoto feels like a real city with people!) I often go there for my job (tough life, yes, I know!) and usually, I visit a new place, of some of my favorites: Adashino, a bit far in t…(341 words)
Claire
Sasebo is located in Kyushu, in Nagasaki Prefecture. Sasebo is a very scenic city with a large natural sea port. There are 208 islands near Sasebo and there are many boat tours available. There are many wonderful views you will be able to capture during your trip to Sasebo.Sasebo is a touris…(112 words)
Kevin
You might of heard of Kin-shachi if you have visited Nagoya.The Kin-shachi or the golden dolphin is known for the symbol of Nagoya.Where does this Kin-shachi come from?There is actually two and they proudly sit on top of the the Nagoya castle.The Nagoya castle is known for one of the we…(159 words)
Yuuki I
There's no shortage of holiday blessings in Japan. Not being a Christian nation has never stopped Japan from adopting this holiday as its own. And while Christmas caroling has not yet become a holiday pastime, it has joyously adopted the tradition of celebrating Christ's birthday with a cake, alb…(763 words)
mikekato
When you think of Japan, many things might come to mind like bright glimmering streets full of light up signs and billboards, mystic temples, busy street crossings, or even delicious sushi fresh from the source. Often over looked by outsiders, is the fact that like in many western nations who have …(257 words)
Alex
Follow the Setouchi Shimanami Kaido cycling route“The cycling route runs for about 70 kilometres across 6 islands and bridges of the Seto Inland Sea, linking Imabari City in Ehime Prefecture with Onomichi City in Hiroshima Prefecture... The route itself is well marked with English signs and Eng…(453 words)
DeepJapan
Please visit Osaka castle. http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4000.htmlYou will see not only see the castle tower but also the Nishinomaru Garden with some 600 cherry trees. If you go there in early spring you can see an ume (plum) orchard boasting 1,270 ume trees in 100 varieties, and other spots …(71 words)
Mayu
Visit Matsumoto Castle in the center on Nagano Prefecture. It`s one of the few original castles left thats is fully constructed from wood. Most of the castles in Major cities are replicas - concrete construction etc Osaka castle even has an elevator inside!Matsumoto is 2 1/2 hours from Tokyo on e…(63 words)
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