The purpose to build castle and the utility value of it was to protect and attack, in short, the castle was military base. It was a symbol to show the strong power of authority in the age of civil strife. In other words, it is a living witness to the provincial wars. Although there are some castles that were not involved with major wars in our history, you would still enjoy magnificence and beauty of the castle if you visit. So we here are our 6 recommended castles to visit in Japan!
1. Himeji Castle
from（公社）姫路観光コンベンションビューロー
Himeji Castle is representative archeological features of modern castles in Japan. It has one of the 12 existing architectural structures called Tenshu which is keep tower built before Edo era (1600-1868). Those structures are designated as a national treasure and as a nationally important cultural property. They are also designated a World Heritage Site in 1993. It is also selected among top 4 national treasure castles and top 3 excellent castles in Japan.
It was likely built by Sadanori AKAMATSU who was a general officer and provincial military governor in 1346. In Meiji era (1868-1912), it became a base for military.
Shigeto NAKAMURA who was a colonel then encouraged to preserve the castle with government expense. This castle suffered from air raids twice in Showa era (1926-1986), it was spared from the loss and remained with many castle structures.
Now it is a core of sightseeing and culture in Himejishi by being a place of events or festival and by using as shooting place for the historical films.
The main tower is under repair from fall 2009 till 2014.
Address:
68 Honmachi, Himeji-shi, Hyogo
Access:
Himeji Station, JR / Himejijo Stop, Shinki Bus
Open:
9:00am-4:00pm
Close:
December 29-31
Entrance fee:
￥400 for an adult/￥100 for a student up to middle school/Free for a child under age of 5.
2. Nagoya Castle
Nagoya castle is originated in the early 16th century by Ujichika IMAGAWA who was a general officer/provincial military governor/warlord. In 1532, military commander, Nobuhide ODA took over from IMAGAWA and named Nagoya castle. Nobunaga ODA who turned to be one of the most influential figures in the age of civil strife was born in this castle. It was not been used for a while since he moved out in 1555, but it was rebuilt in 1609 by Ieyasu TOKUGAWA for his ninth son, Yoshinao. It was used for 17 generations since then up to Meiji era (1868-1912). It is counted as top 3 excellent castles in Japan along to Himeji castle and Kumamoto castle. The golden dolphins on the top are symbol not only of the castle, but also of Nagoya city. The castle was burned down by bombing of Nagoya in World War II in 1945, but it was restored after the war and now it is fitted out as Meijo park.
Address:
1-1 Honmaru, Naka-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi
Access:
Shiyauksho Station Exit 7, Nashiro Line / Asamacho Statioin Exit 1, Tsurumai Line / Nagoyajo seimonmae Stop, City Bus
Open:
9:00am-4:30pm
Close:
December 29- January 1
Entrance fee:
￥500 for an adult/Free for a student up to middle school
3. Kumamoto Castle
kumamoto
It is originated during 1469-1487 by one of a warrior family called KIKUCHI in Kumamoto area. The family gave over the castle to Hideyoshi TOYOTOMI who is one of the most influential figures in the age of civil strife when he needed his military base at the time of conquest in Kyushu. He assigned his vassal, Kiyomasa KATO to took the control of the Kyushu area and the castle. His generation was using this castle up to the era of Meiji. It turned to be military schools and hospital in Meiji era. It is designated as a national treasure in 1933. Now it is used as museums, baseball fields, park, shrine and government offices.
Address:
1 Honmaru, Kumamoto-shi, Kumamoto-ken
Access:
Kumamoto Station, JR
Open:
8:30am-4:30pm (till 5:30pm during March to November)
Close:
December 29 to 31
Entrance fee:
￥500 for an adult / ￥200 for a student up to middle school
4. Edo Castle
Edo
This castle is originated by the warrior named Shigetugu EDO. He was based in Edo city now it is called Tokyo. After EDO lost the war in the 15th century, Dokan OTA who belonged to the winner team of the war built Edo Castle in 1457.
But Mochitomo UESUGI killed EDO in 1486 and took over the castle, then Ujitsuna HOJO beat UESUGI and took over in 1524.
In 1590, Hideyoshi TOYOTOMI assigned his vassal, Ieyasu TOKUGAWA to take control the castle. TOKUGAWA kept upgrading the castle and the castle became the biggest one in Japan.
It became government office in the Edo era and became palace in the age of Meiji.
It was officially named imperial Palace in 1948.
Address:
1-1 Chiyoda, Chiyoda-ku, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Access:
Tokyo Station, JR / Otemachi Station, Tokyo Metro
Open:
9:00am-4:00pm
Close:
Mondays & Fridays and December 18 – January 3
Entrance fee:
Free
5. Osaka Castle
The place where the Osaka Castle was built considered to be ancient tomb in the Tumlus period (the late 3rd century to the early 8th century). There was Honganji Temple during Azuchi momoyama era (1573-1603), but it was burned down at the Ishiyama honganji War in 1580. In 1583, Hideyoshi TOYOTOMI who is one of the most influential figures in the age of civil strife build the castle. After TOKUGAWA took over the political power, it became the base of West Japan area in Edo era (1600-1867). In Meiji era, government used the castle as military base to hold heavy weapons. US military force was targeting bombing during Pacific War because of that. Although it was burned down in 1868 at the war and burn down by accidental fire in 1947, it was fixed every time. In 1983, Osaka Castle Hall and Osaka Business Park are built in that area. There is also Osaka Castle Park there. Now it is a symbolic building of Osaka.
Address:
1-1 Osakajo, Cyuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka
Access:
Morinomiya Station/ Osaka Kanjo Line, JR
Open:
9:00am-5:00pm
Close:
December 28 – January 1
Entrance fee:
￥600 for an adult/ Free for a student up to middle school
6. Matsumoto Castle
In the water raised by the moat stands Matsumoto Castle (長野県観光機構)
It has one of the 12 existing architectural structures called Tenshu which is keep tower built before Edo era (1600-1868). Those structures are designated as a national treasure and as a nationally important cultural property.
It is originated during 1504-1520 by one of a warrior family called OGASAWARA in Nagano area.
Address:
4-1 Marunouchi, Matsumoto-shi, Nagano
Access:
Matsumoto Station, JR/Shinonoi Line
Open:
8:30am-5:00pm
Close:
December 29- January 3
Entrance fee:
￥600 for an adult/ ￥300 for a child up to middle school
