Fortresses have been built in Japan since early times. A particular need for castles arose in the 15th century after the central government’s authority had weakened and Japan had fallen into the chaotic era of warring states (sengoku jidai). During that era, Japan consisted of dozens of small independent states which fought each other and built small castles on top of mountains for defense purposes.
In the town around the castle, the samurai were residing. The higher their rank, the closer they lived to the castle. Merchants and artisans lived in specially designated areas, while temple and entertainment districts were usually located in the outskirts of the city or just outside of it.
The main construction material for castle buildings used to be wood, most newer reconstructions, however, were made of concrete, and their interiors are modern.
Let’s check out Top 6 recommended Castles to visit in Japan.
1. Himeji Castle（姬路城）
Himeji Castle has 400 years of history. It is evaluated highly from the world as a castle that is still the original building among Japanese castles. In 1993, it was registered as the world heritage site along with Horyuji for the first time in Japan. The graceful white building is compared to a white heron and it is also called “white heron castle” and creating very beautiful scenery.
2. Matsumoto Castle（松本城）
The contrasting black and white plaster of the exterior stands out boldly against the magnificent backdrop of the Japanese Alps. Built with many unique architectural elements, Matsumoto Castle also features a moon viewing pavilion, indicative of the lifestyle of the feudal lords. The grounds of the castle come alive in color in the spring with cherry blossoms.
In between the castle and Matsumoto Station are two shopping streets not to be missed, Nawate-dori (aka “Frog Street”) with small specialty shops and eateries, and Nakamachi, lined with picturesque Kura (earthen-walled store-house) –type buildings.
3. Kumamoto Castle (熊本城)
Kumamoto Castle is a hilltop Japanese castle located in Chuo-ku, Kumamoto in Kumamoto Prefecture. It was a large and well fortified castle. The castle keep (天守閣 tenshukaku) is a concrete reconstruction built in 1960, but several ancillary wooden buildings remain of the original castle. Kumamoto Castle is considered one of the three premier castles in Japan, along with Himeji Castle and Matsumoto Castle.Thirteen structures in the castle complex are designated Important Cultural Property.
As a result of the April 2016 earthquake, Kumamoto Castle sustained heavy damages.
There are many areas of the castle that are still closed off to entry, but aspects of the castle can still be seen from around Ninomaru Square and Kato Shrine.
4. Inuyama Castle (犬山城)
Inuyama Castle is located in the city of Inuyama, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. The castle overlooks the Kiso River, which serves as the border between Aichi and Gifu prefectures. Inuyama Castle is one of only 12 surviving Japanese castles built before the Edo period.
5. Nijo Castle (二条城)
Nijo Castle is a flatland castle in Kyoto, Japan. The castle consists of two concentric rings (Kuruwa) of fortifications, the Ninomaru Palace, the ruins of the Honmaru Palace, various support buildings and several gardens. The surface area of the castle is 275,000 square metres (2,960,000 sq ft), of which 8,000 square metres (86,000 sq ft) is occupied by buildings.
It is one of the seventeen Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto which have been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
6. Takeda Castle (竹田城)
Takeda Castle is a ruined castle in the city of Asago, in the northern part of Hyogo Prefecture, Japan.
It is located north of Himeji, and north-west of Kyoto, and is situated some 353 metres above sea level. It is regarded as one of Japan’s Top 100 Castles, and often referred to locally as the “Machu Picchu of Japan”.
Source by Japan-Guide