No trip to Japan is complete without visiting a Japanese castle. Featured in many movies, TV series and Instagram posts, everyone who visits the land of the Rising Sun has to visit a Japanese castle in its wishlist. There are many castles in Japan. In fact, almost every major city has its own castle, making it difficult to choose which is the best one to visit. Even more difficult if your time is limited. As a traveller and photographer, I had the chance to visit some of the best castles in Japan. These are my 5 favourite ones.
1 Hiroshima castle
The reason why each castle made it to this list varies. Here, it is a mix between the beautiful gardens, location and sunset I had when visiting it and the emotional power of a city like Hiroshima. Everyone knows what happened in Hiroshima so I will not get into details here. Hiroshima wasn’t on my radar when visiting Japan. However, I had a couple of free days and I decided to hop on a Shinkansen and explore this famous city. Glad I did it. Most of the city attractions can be visited in a single day. However, I enjoyed spending a night there, meeting with some travel friends and getting ready for a week of travel photography in Tokyo.
Hiroshima Castle was originally built in the 1590s, but the atomic bombing destroyed it. In fact, most of the castles of Japan are not the original ones. Fires, wars and earthquakes have had major impacts on its structure. In this case, part of the structure was reconstructed, and it is now one of the major touristic attractions of the city. I loved admiring it from the exterior of the moat. The sunset lights combine perfectly with the castle orientation. I would not visit its interior again, as, with most of the rebuilt Japanese castles, it is a museum, but there are no original architecture elements.
For the photographers out there, there are two main elements of interest. The moat and the gardens. The castle walls, the so-called ninomaru, and the castle itself reflected on the water are easy and beautiful photos. As everywhere in Japan, gardens change a lot throughout the year. Spring and autumn are the best seasons to explore Japanese gardens. However, give them a chance even if it is not that time of the year. Here you have a selection of my best Hiroshima Castle images.
2 Matsumoto castle
Matsumoto Castle is my favourite Japanese castle. Located in the city of Matsumoto, near the Japanese alps, this city has a special vibe, although, besides the castle, it has not much to offer (some very beautiful hikes in this area). What makes this castle special? Well, first of all, most Japanese castles are built on hills or elevated situations. Matsumoto castle was built on a flat area, something not usual. Moreover, Matsumoto Castle is black. Also known as the Black Castle or the Crow Castle, it is unique for its location and colour.
Although it has undergone many restoration processes, it is one of the three best-preserved castles in Japan, together with Himeji castle (included in this guide) and Kumamoto Castle (not included due to its location, but highly recommended). I enjoyed visiting its interior, with many original weapons and utensils. The most interesting part of the visit, though, was climbing its steep (really steep) wooden stairs and enjoying the views from the top. If you have to pay to visit a castle in Japan, choose either Matsumoto or Himeji castle.
I have a photography guide about the Matsumoto castle. To summarize, composite the image with the red bridge and the castle behind it, or wait for an amazing sunrise or sunset. Unlike other locations in Japan, it is even more beautiful during winter. The white of the snow, the black of the castle and the red bridge create the perfect postcard. Check my photography guide for more information!
3 Himeji castle
The classical version of the Matsumoto castle. The experience while visiting Himeji castle is quite similar to visiting Matsumoto castle. In this case, it is situated on the top of a little hill, and it has a characteristic white colour. However, it is among the most well conserved Japanese castles. Don’t miss the Koko-en garden. No matter the season of the year, it is amazing. One of the most beautiful (if not the best) gardens I visited in Japan.
Himeji, like Matsumoto, is a small city (for the Japanese standards). Its main touristic attractions are the castle and its gardens. Therefore, it is an ideal city for a day visit from Osaka or even Kyoto. It is a very well connected city. Don’t be afraid to take the Shinkansen just to visit its castle.
At a photographic level, the ideal time of the year to visit Himeji is Spring and Autumn. Especially since the most famous Himeji Castle shot involves framing it with the cherry blossoms or the red autumn leaves. I had a hard time trying to find the characteristic red bridge view, but in fact, it’s quite easy once you know it. When reaching the main gate, don’t cross it. Instead, turn right and start surrounding the castle, until you find a statue of 2 carps. From there, just walk towards the castle, and you’ll be at the most famous Japanese Castle photography spot. Another possibility is to walk towards Otokoyama Haisuiike park to get a different view of the castle from the distance. Here you have a selection of my best Himeji Castle photos.
4 Osaka castle
Osaka is a city that most people use as a base to do some day trips to cities like Kyoto, Himeji, Nara… However, it has a lot of things to offer. One of the most beautiful spots to visit in Osaka is its castle. I have a post about Osaka’s top photography spots, and of course the Osaka Castle is among them.
This castle, unlike the two previous ones, has been under major reconstructions. Due to wars and fires, little of the original castle remains. However, the interior of the castle is nowadays a museum, very useful to understand the history of both the castle and the city. The views from the top of the castle are amazing. It is possible to see some of the tallest buildings of the city, and all the gardens below.
My favourite part of visiting Osaka Castle was its gardens. I am sure the fact that the Sakura was quite near played an important role. I highly recommend getting lost in its exterior gardens. It is a perfect place to take some nice photos of the castle surrounded by some trees. The terrains of the castle are surprisingly vast, it takes some time to surround it and explore the whole area, but it is worth it. Here you have some of the best photos I took from the Osaka Castle
5 Kanazawa castle
Kanazawa is a little city and the captial of the Ishikawa perfecture. Although the city is mostly well known for its garden, its castle is also worth a visit. I have a love-hate relationship with Kanazawa. I found it to be a very interesting city, but the weather was terrible by the time I visited the city.
Kanazawa castle is not the most beautiful Japanese castle. Not even close to Himeji, Osaka or Matsumoto. But its the location, by the most beautiful gardens of Japan, made me visit it. I think this is the most season-depending castle. I had seen some very beautiful images of the castle and its gardens with cherry blossoms, but when I went there, the gardens were brown and grey. However, if you are visiting during the Sakura season, visit Kanazawa and its castle. Otherwise, just enjoy its exterior view, and then move to the Kenroku-en gardens.
Conclusion
Hope you enjoyed my best Japan Castles guide. There are couple ones that did not make it to the list. Nagoya castle was quite nice, but I felt it lacked some personality. As I mentioned earlier, Kumamoto castle would definitely make it to this list, but it is quite far away from the traditional Japanese touristic track.
Did I miss any other castle? Which one would you like to visit the most? Tell me in the comments! If you liked this Japan castles guide, consider following me on Instagram and Facebook to see my latest photos, follow my travels and to know when new articles like this one are uploaded.
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