Reconstructed Castle

The northernmost castle in Japan and the only one in Hokkaido. Built in 1849 by the Matsumae clan, it guarded against Russian expansion and is surrounded by hundreds of cherry trees.

A compact three-story castle in Shiroishi, Miyagi, rebuilt in 1995 using traditional pre-Meiji construction techniques without any nails. The domain of the Date clan's senior retainer Katakura Kojuro.

The seat of the Satake clan in Akita from 1604, unusual for a major domain castle as it never had a tenshu tower. A reconstructed turret now houses a small museum on castle and samurai history.

Also known as Kajojo (霞城), this sprawling castle was founded in 1357 and became the seat of the Mogami clan. The second bailey's East Gate and stone walls have been faithfully restored, surrounded by a large moat.

Known as Tsurugajo, this iconic white castle in Aizu was the last stronghold to resist government forces in the Boshin War. The famous white-plastered keep, reconstructed in 1965, stands as a symbol of samurai loyalty.

A three-tiered castle in Shirakawa rebuilt in 1991 using traditional earthquake-resistant timber construction. The site is a gateway between Kanto and Tohoku and saw fierce fighting in the Boshin War.

An ancient hilltop castle that became the stronghold of the Utsunomiya clan and later the Toda clan. A section of earthwork ramparts and turrets was reconstructed in 2007 in the city center.

Founded in 1457 by Ota Dokan in the heart of 'Little Edo,' Kawagoe. The honmaru goten (main hall) is the only surviving palace-style castle building in the Kanto region, offering a rare glimpse into samurai living quarters.

The 'floating castle' of Gyoda, Saitama, surrounded by marshes and lakes. It famously resisted Ishida Mitsunari's flooding tactics during the Odawara Campaign of 1590, inspiring the story in the film 'The Floating Castle.'

Headquarters of the powerful Hojo clan, Odawara Castle withstood repeated sieges for over a century. The reconstructed white keep and scenic grounds near the sea make it one of Japan's most visited castles.

Called the 'castle floating on the lake' due to its original position built over Lake Suwa. The three-story reconstructed keep and turrets sit on a low plain, evoking its former watery setting.

Built by the legendary strategist Sanada Masayuki in 1583. Twice it repulsed Tokugawa armies — most famously in 1600 when a 2,000-man garrison held off 38,000 troops. The three surviving turrets are designated Important Cultural Properties.

The castle of the Mizoguchi clan featuring the unique Three-Dolphin Tower, the only structure in Japan with three shachihoko (fire-proof fish ornaments) on its roof. The reconstructed turrets and original corner turret (National Important Cultural Property) are in a JSDF base.

The seat of the Maeda clan, the wealthiest non-Tokugawa domain in Japan. The castle's distinctive lead-tiled roofs and massive Ishikawamon Gate (National Important Cultural Property) reflect the domain's extraordinary wealth and sophistication.

A castle dramatically perched on a rock formation rising from the Ono Basin floor in Fukui. Often called the 'Castle in the Sky' (天空の城) when morning fog fills the valley, it has become one of Japan's most photographed scenic castle views.

Perched atop 329m Mt. Kinka above the Nagara River, Gifu Castle was the base from which Oda Nobunaga launched his conquest of Japan. The reconstructed white keep offers sweeping views; the ropeway ride is a highlight for visitors.

A hilltop castle overlooking the Yoshida River in Gujo Hachiman, rebuilt in 1933 using traditional wood construction. Its scenic position and the famous 'jumping into the river' summer festival make it one of Gifu's most beloved castles.

Seat of Tokugawa Ieyasu's retirement government in Shizuoka City, built in 1585. The third largest castle tower in history once stood here. A reconstructed East Gate and turret stand in the city center park; excavations continue to reveal its grandeur.

Built by Imagawa Ujichika in 1497 and later held by Yamanouchi Kazutoyo, Kakegawa was rebuilt in 1994 as Japan's first reconstructed castle using traditional wooden construction techniques. Its elegant three-story keep sits above a restored palace building.

The castle where the young Tokugawa Ieyasu suffered his greatest defeat at the Battle of Mikatagahara (1572) against Takeda Shingen. The reconstructed stone-walled keep and its museum tell the story of Ieyasu's formative years in Hamamatsu.

The imposing seat of the Owari Tokugawa clan and the largest castle structure of the Edo period. Famous for the pair of golden shachi (tiger-headed carp) atop its roof. The main tower reconstruction project aims to recreate the original wooden interior.

Birthplace of Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1542, Okazaki Castle stands in a park along the Oto River in central Aichi. The reconstructed three-story keep and surrounding garden celebrate the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate.

A castle on the banks of the Toyo River in Toyohashi, Aichi, originally built in 1505 and later expanded by Ikeda Terumasa. A reconstructed corner turret stands in the riverside park with excellent views of the river.

Oda Nobunaga's primary base before Nagoya Castle, Kiyosu was once called the 'gateway to the realm.' A striking red-walled reconstructed keep now stands as a symbol of the city; the famous Kiyosu Conference after Nobunaga's death was held nearby.

A castle in Iga City, Mie, famous for its extraordinary 30-meter high stone walls (the second tallest in Japan) and its connection to Matsuo Basho, the haiku master born nearby. The current wooden keep was rebuilt in 1935 by a local count.

A castle in Kameyama, Mie, along the Tokai Road. Its most famous feature is the distinctive 'Tamamon Yagura' turret, which uniquely incorporates a gate passage through its base. Parts of the castle are now used by a religious organization.

A flat-land castle built in 1634 by Tokugawa Iemitsu as an overnight lodging for his journey to Kyoto. Its moated enclosure in central Konan, Shiga, features a reconstructed corner turret that now houses a local history museum.

Built by Akechi Mitsuhide in 1579 — the same general who assassinated Oda Nobunaga three years later. The reconstructed four-story keep in Fukuchiyama City contains a museum on Mitsuhide and the castle uses recycled stone from old tombstones and wells.

Built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1583 on an epic scale, Osaka Castle was the center of Toyotomi power and site of the dramatic Summer and Winter Sieges of 1614-15. The reconstructed tower is now Japan's most visited castle and houses a comprehensive museum.

A coastal castle in Kishiwada, Osaka, famous as the site of Japan's most spectacular danjiri festival. The reconstructed nine-story keep overlooks Osaka Bay and the castle is associated with the genius military engineer Todo Takatora.

Built by Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1609 to monitor the western lords, Sasayama Castle in Tanba-Sasayama, Hyogo, was constructed in just six months using labor from 20 western domains. The reconstructed large palace building (Osumi Yagura) is an Important Cultural Property.

Built on a commanding hilltop in Wakayama City by Toyotomi Hideyoshi's nephew Hidenaga in 1585, later the seat of one of the three Tokugawa branch families. The reconstructed white-walled keep and landscaped grounds are a beloved city landmark.

Known as the 'Crow Castle' for its striking black exterior walls, Okayama Castle was built by Ukita Hideie in 1597. The reconstructed tower contrasts beautifully with the adjacent Korakuen Garden, one of Japan's three great landscape gardens.

Built in 1622 by Mizuno Katsunari, Fukuyama Castle in Hiroshima is notable for its black-iron-plated north wall, unique in Japan. The reconstructed main tower stands prominently above Fukuyama Station, and a major renovation in 2022 restored it to its Edo-period splendor.

Built in 1589 by Mori Terumoto on a river delta island in Hiroshima, the 'Carp Castle' was destroyed by the 1945 atomic bomb. The reconstructed five-story tower stands 500m from the hypocenter, now housing a museum on the castle's history and reconstruction.

A mountain castle above the famous Kintaikyo five-arched bridge in Iwakuni, Yamaguchi. The original keep stood for just seven years before Tokugawa order forced its demolition; the reconstructed castle provides stunning views over the Nishiki River.

A castle on a hilltop bend of the Hiji River in Ozu, Ehime, dramatically visible from below. In 2004 it was meticulously reconstructed using traditional techniques after studying the four original turrets that survive. Ozu is often called 'Iyo's little Kyoto.'

A castle in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, built by Hosokawa Tadaoki in 1602 and famous for its unique 'karasumata' roof overhang on the top story. The reconstructed five-story keep and surrounding park are the centerpiece of the Kokura historic district.

A flatland castle in Saga City, Saga, home to the Nabeshima clan. The honmaru goten (main palace) was reconstructed in 2004 as a large-scale wooden reconstruction; now an excellent museum covering the history of the progressive Saga domain and the Meiji Restoration.

A dramatically positioned castle on a pine-covered headland directly above Karatsu Bay in Saga. Built in 1608 by Terasawa Hirotaka, its white walls against the deep blue sea have earned it the nickname 'Maizuru Castle (Dancing Crane Castle).'

A white castle perched on a cliff above Hirado harbor in Nagasaki, Hirado was Japan's first gateway to international trade in the 16th century. Dutch and English trading posts operated in the town below, and the reconstructed castle houses a museum on Japan's early foreign relations.

Built 1624 by Matsukura Shigemasa with excessive burden on the people, sparking the 1637 Shimabara Rebellion — the largest peasant uprising in Japanese history. The impressive five-story keep and towers were reconstructed in 1964 and house a museum on the rebellion and Christianity in Japan.

Japan's most formidable castle, built by Kato Kiyomasa in 1601 with genius defensive engineering — sloped stone walls impossible to climb, wells dug throughout, and edible wallpaper (yam-paste plaster). Damaged in the 2016 earthquake, its ongoing restoration is Japan's most ambitious castle repair project.

A flatland castle in Oita City (Funai), built in 1597 by Fukuhara Naotaka. Two original turrets and a well-preserved corner tower gate (廊下橋) survive as important cultural properties. The castle town of Funai was a center of early Christian missionary activity in Japan.

Built by Kuroda Yoshitaka (Josui) in 1588 on the shores of Buzen Strait, Nakatsu Castle in Oita is one of Japan's three great sea castles. Half of its original stone walls were built by Kuroda and half by Hosokawa Tadaoki, making the different stone-stacking styles clearly visible.

The 400-year headquarters of the Ito clan in Nichinan, Miyazaki, called 'Hyuga's little Kyoto.' The reconstructed main gate and three turrets stand amid a beautiful avenue of cedar trees. The well-preserved castle town with samurai residences and old merchant streets is a designated preservation district.

A flatland castle in central Toyama City first built in 1543, later expanded by Sassa Narimasa and the Maeda clan. Nicknamed 'Floating Castle' (浮城) as it appeared to float over morning mist on the Jinzu River. The reconstructed tower now houses a city history museum.