Japanese Castles — A Backpacker’s Guide
Check out an interview with Julien Mentzer as he discusses how his book, 'Japanese Castles – A Backpacker’s Guide,' can help you discover all the castle treasures of Japan.
4 Beautiful Castles Home to Terrible Ghosts
Ancient buildings almost always seem to come with a ghost story, and Japanese castles are no exception.
Hakodate: Gateway to the Northern Island
Now connected to Japan's main island by Shinkansen, Hakodate offers a scenic waterfront, historic buildings, a star-shaped fort—and one of the three greatest night views in Japan!
Check Out this Cute Hello Kitty Café in Himeji
Who would have known Hello Kitty would be nestled so nicely in this cute café, ready to greet you on your way to Himeji Castle!
Japan's 5 Greatest Castle Ruins
Just because these castles are ruined doesn't mean they aren't spectacular!
Japan's Top 11 Reconstructed Castles
Like a phoenix rising from the flames, so too have these restored beauties come back to life to prosper again on our list of the best reconstructed castles across Japan.
Inuyama Castle: King of the Hilltop
Inuyama Castle is a National Treasure, and one of the oldest original castles still standing in Japan.
7 Incredible Events at Japanese Castles
The castles dotting Japan's landscape no longer host battles and political upheavals, but they're not boring relics. Many were the backdrop to some pretty unbelievable stories!
Gazing Across the Sea into Japan’s Past
Two castles peer out into the sea from Saga Prefecture’s picturesque coastal city of Karatsu.
Takeda Castle Appears to Float in the Sky
Want to see a real castle in the sky? Look no further than Hyogo.
How to Find the Remains of Zeze Castle
Many castles in Japan are easy to find, as they are official landmarks treasured by the country. However, there are also some hidden gems that are less frequently visited, but worth the venture if you know where to find them!
Japan's 12 Best Keepless Castles
These castles may not have keeps, but many of them are much older than any of Japan's so-called "original construction" castles.
The 5 Castles of Okinawa
Okinawa's castles bear testament to the three kingdoms that fought to dominate the island chain in the 14th and 15th centuries.
Japan's 3 Great Mountain Castles
Prior to the Warring States Period (1467-1590), most castles in Japan were 'yamajiro,' or mountain castles, and they were the pinnacle of defense for Japan's clashing warlords. Trek into the countryside to find out more about them!
Superfly Rocks Osaka Castle
Watch an amazing vocal performance of 'Beautiful' by Japanese rock act Superfly—with full 360-degree views at Osaka Castle's Nishinomaru Garden!
Jogging the Tokyo Imperial Palace
The circuit around the Tokyo Imperial Palace is almost exactly 5 kilometers long, making it an excellent running course with a spectacular view.
List: Japan's 12 Original-Construction Castles
While Japan is home to over 300 castles, there are only 12 that still retain their original castle keep. These 12 so-called 'original construction' castles are the cream of the crop.
16 Splendid Shikoku Castles
The island of Shikoku may be small, but who would've guessed it once contained 16 amazing castles, all in various shapes and forms!
7 Awesome Japanese Castles Made of Lego
While there have only been a few official Japanese-style Lego castles, brick fans have been more than happy to do the rest!
5 Instagram-Worthy Castles for Every Season
Winter, spring, summer or fall, you'll fall in love with these sites, and snap a photo as you do!
