There are numerous the explanation why Japanese castles needs to be a part of your journey plans. They’re architecturally each stunning and spectacular, they’re usually related to a few of the most gorgeous gardens within the nation they usually present a glimpse again into the feudal age, the time of Shoguns, Samurai, Ninja and Geisha.
When we’re going to be passing anyplace close to a fortress that we haven’t explored earlier than it’s nearly inconceivable to withstand the temptation so as to add it to the itinerary. A part of the reason being in all probability that I’ve learn manner too many Japanese novels.
I like to visualise the world of the samurai and ninjas as we wander by these historic websites, uncover the refined tune of the Nightengale flooring and spot ornate and significant particulars. The castles do look quite a bit totally different than they did of their feudal heyday after all. One of the best-preserved segments are often the moats and fortifications such because the partitions, turrets and sometimes the fortress towers however intensive work has gone into authentically recreating different segments as they have been in centuries previous.
Lots of the castles you will note in Japan are recreations, sections of the fortress that have been rebuilt from the ruins when castles have been destroyed by struggle, excessive climate circumstances, hearth or the systematic demolition set out by the Haijō Edict beneath Emperor Meiji as a part of the unification of Japan in a symbolic finish to the Feudal Age.
Why go to a Japanese fortress?
Historic worth
The Japanese castles advanced from earlier fortifications over the centuries however the extra dramatic constructions we admire at the moment usually date from the sixteenth century. Coming from Australia, an historic land itself however with its earliest surviving man-made constructions relationship from the late 18th century, Japan’s shrines, temples and castles fascinate me.
Gardens
Japan celebrates its distinct seasons and that’s notably evident in its many stunning gardens designed to transition superbly from one season to the following however put the highlight on a specific flower or characteristic. The cherry blossom and the autumn leaves are essentially the most notable to guests however wisteria, azaleas, hydrangeas, iris, pink moss and dozens of others have their moments to shine.
Two of Japan’s self-selected ‘3 most stunning gardens’, Kōraku-en in Okayama and Kenroku-en in Kanazawa have been designed and loved as fortress gardens earlier than later being opened to the general public. Even these fortress gardens that don’t take pleasure in such recognition are usually nonetheless fairly stunning and maintained in line with their early design. The Shoguns and aristocracy of the interval clearly loved the humanities and sweetness of their environment.
Architectural curiosity and sweetness
The castles fluctuate considerably of their measurement, styling and placement and whereas there’s consistency of their general design and fortification their are additionally could fascinating architectural facet and aesthetic options.
Among the most notable are the inclusion of household crests into the roof and wall tiles or the dramatic protecting talismans. Shachihoko is a fish with a lions head that’s usually positioned on either side of a roof to guard from hearth, you will note it distinctively featured at Nagoya Fort and has turn out to be an emblem of town.
Cultural worth
I wouldn’t take into account myself a historical past buff in any respect however I do benefit from the cultural and historic facet of visiting castles and the connection of every to the three nice unifiers of Japan. Nearly the entire castles have a connection to no less than one of many nice warlords, Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, or Tokugawa Ieyasu they usually mirror the three distinctive characters who formed fashionable Japan.
Toyotomi Hideyoshi was a devoted patron of the humanities and complex design particulars may be seen within the castles he’s related with and within the festivals related to these castles. The Nagahama Hikiyama Matsuri for instance options younger Kabuki actors acting on gilded floats which are pulled by town streets from the shrine in direction of the fortress. The gorgeous floats and traditions have been maintained by the centuries.
Unique Castles in Japan
There are solely 12 authentic castles remaining in Japan and that makes them further particular and value going a little bit out of your technique to go to. To qualify they should have retained the fortress tower. Among the best issues about these fortress cities is that they’ve usually preserved considerably extra than simply the fortress itself making them fascinating to go to on many ranges. One of the best-known and probably essentially the most beautiful of the unique castles is Himeji Fort which had a major restoration a couple of years again to make sure its preservation for the long run. It’s definitely dramatic particularly when considered surrounded by cherry blossoms, a view we have been lucky sufficient to take pleasure in on our first go to in 2010.
A private favorite although is within the small city of Hikone the place each the fortress constructing itself and the stables have survived and that provides an fascinating further ingredient. There’s a beautiful historic buying road that leads away from the fortress down in direction of Lake Biwa which is now principally eating places and the like however nicely value following all the way down to the lake. We visited Hikone Fort within the winter so it wasn’t one of the best time to take pleasure in what I perceive are some glorious gardens however to see it lined in snow had fairly an impression too though that tower flooring was darn chilly although your socks.
The complete listing of authentic Japanese castles consists of:
- Bitchu Matsuyama – also referred to as Takahashi Fort (Okayama Prefecture)
- Himeji (Hyogo prefecture – Nationwide Treasure)
- Hikone (Shiga prefecture – Nationwide Treasure)
- Hirosaki (Aomori prefecture)
- Inuyama (Aichi prefecture – Nationwide Treasure)
- Kochi (Kochi prefecture)
- Marugame (Kagawa prefecture)
- Maruoka (Fukui prefecture)
- Matsue (Shimane prefecture – Nationwide Treasure)
- Matsumoto (Nagano prefecture – Nationwide Treasure)
- Matsuyama (Ehime prefecture)
- Uwajima (Ehime prefecture)
To be classed as an authentic fortress implies that the principle fortress preserve is unbroken because it was on the time of the Meiji Restoration in 1868. Lots of the ‘recreated’ castles embrace authentic constructions reminiscent of warehouses, turrets, partitions, moats and different fortifications however their primary fortress tower has been rebuilt with various levels of authenticity.
Of those 12 authentic castles, there are 5 with Nationwide Treasure standing. These are Himeji, Hikone, Matsumoto, Inuyama and Matsue.
10 unimaginable Japanese castles to go to
These castles don’t all have authentic fortress buildings from the feudal interval, some have had the principle fortress recreated in fashionable instances, and others have sufficient different pursuits to make them value visiting regardless of their lack of the fortress tower. I plan so as to add to our assortment of Japanese castles visited over time, however these 10 could be our suggestions thus far.
One thing totally different about visiting Japanese castles from these in Europe is that aside from the odd room or scene, they’re largely empty or home museum displays. They aren’t furnished and don’t present direct insights into the comforts or lack of it that the inhabitants would have loved throughout their heyday. The constructions are unimaginable and exquisite however what it could have been wish to have lived or labored inside them is essentially left to your creativeness.
That is one thing I’ve heard many individuals, particularly those that have visited castles and stately houses in Europe touch upon. I like to learn Japanese historic fiction, so it’s not exhausting to permit the reel to play in your head imagining what it should have been like however I’ve usually thought it a disgrace that there isn’t extra visible inside them to counsel how the varied areas have been used. They’ve after all been stripped naked and unoccupied for 100-150 years at this level so the constructions being so nicely preserved in themselves is spectacular.
1. Himeji Fort
Himeji Fort is one in all solely 12 authentic castles with the principle fortress tower remaining, it’s a Nationwide Treasure and is broadly recognised as one of many prime three castles in Japan. It’s additionally my primary because it was the primary we visited and fired a ardour for travelling farther from the overwhelmed path to seek out extra. Our go to right here was because the cherry blossoms simply handed their peak and in opposition to a transparent blue sky. It’s a gorgeous sight.
As you discover you’ve got glorious entry to see all of the spectacular fortifications across the fortress and grounds together with openings within the wall referred to as ‘Musha Otoshi’ from contained in the fortress preserve and west bailey (Nishinomaru) the place the princesses lived. These openings have been a final line of defence positioned there to drop boiling water, oil and rocks down on would-be attackers. Maybe it’s as a result of it was so impressively fortified, that Himeji-jo by no means got here beneath assault.
If you’re at Himeji fortress throughout the cherry blossom season you’ll wish to linger across the nice garden within the Sannomaru by the Otemon gate. It’s lined with cherry bushes that body gorgeous views of the fortress. This a part of the fortress grounds is open to the general public and free to enter, past is a ticket gate on the Hishi gate to see the inside components of the fortress grounds and enter the buildings.
Planning your go to to Himeji Fort
2. Hikone
As talked about above, Hikone is a private favorite, it’s an authentic fortress and whereas far smaller than Himeji it’s stunning in its personal proper. Amongst the opposite constructions nonetheless standing in Hakone are the horse stables that are positioned simply exterior the inside moat that surrounds the fortress and are the primary half you come to.
Enormous chunks of snow have been melting and sliding from the roof of the stables onto the footpath as we arrived and the entire space actually was image good.
The views from the highest flooring of the fortress out to Lake Biwa are spectacular and we had a beautiful afternoon wandering the historic buying road down in direction of the lake afterwards. I’m instructed the gardens are additionally value permitting a while for however they have been beneath a layer of snow whereas we have been right here in February.
It’s a stunning little city and nicely value stopping in at. It will probably simply be integrated if you’re travelling as much as both Nagahama or Kanawawa by prepare from the central cities of Osaka and Kyoto.
Planning your go to to Hikone Fort
3. Matsumoto
Like the entire Japanese castles featured right here, Matsumoto Fort was constructed throughout the warring states interval however not like most, it has not seen battle throughout its 400-year historical past, as a substitute to many it now represents the area’s quest for peace and stability throughout the ages.
The flatland fortress is named the black crow fortress and is sort of distinctive though it does characteristic each black and white in its facade. The design selection is claimed to be a mark of respect from Lord Ishikawa to Toyotomi Hideyoshi whose Osaka Fort on the time was additionally black.
Matsumoto Fort is gorgeous considered throughout the extensive moat and is likely one of the most full with a secondary donjon (fortress tower) and defensive turret adjoining the principle fortress preserve that dates again to 1592. Whereas the fortress presents as having 5 tiers there’s a sixth hidden flooring inside
4. Inuyama
In Aichi, solely a 30-minute prepare journey from Nagoya metropolis is Inuyama. That is one other of the unique castles and nicely value a go to to benefit from the Yamajiro or mountain fortress searching over the spectacular Kiso River beneath and the beautiful fortress buying road and city that encompass it.
The fortress was rebuilt a number of instances between the mid-1300s and 1500s however what we see preserved on the positioning at the moment was largely the work of Oda Nobunaga’s son, Oda Nobutasu.
All three of Japan’s 3 nice unifiers had a historical past with Inuyama Fort. Oda Nobunaga took the fortress twice, as soon as in 1560 and once more in 1564, after his loss of life Toyotomi Hideyoshi had the fortress defences rebuilt in a extra modern design after which in 1600 Tokugawa Ieyasu took the fortress within the Battle of Sekigahara.
5. Hiroshima
There was a thirteenth authentic fortress at Hiroshima that survived till fashionable instances. It prevented demolition within the Meiji Restoration however was misplaced on the sixth of August 1945 when an atomic bomb was detonated over town on the finish of WWII. The town was rebuilt within the years that adopted together with the fortress in 1958.
Stays of the unique foundations may be seen all through the expansive fortress grounds and through sakura the sting of the moat is a well-liked place for locals to calm down and benefit from the cherry blossoms.
6. Okayama
Okayama fortress is one other recreation however this one is particular as a lot of the intensive fortress gardens have additionally been preserved because the fortress itself, they’re often called Korakuen and are recognised as one of many 3 most stunning gardens in Japan.
Whereas the fortress appears out throughout the inside moat to the backyard, the backyard itself enjoys spectacular vistas of the fortress from numerous factors round it. Options such because the Ryuten Relaxation Home positioned on a stream inside the backyard have been options of feudal instances which are nonetheless represented within the backyard at the moment.
If you’re headed to Okayama the Korakuen Backyard needs to be in your listing, it’s simply accessible from the Shinkansen station the place there are many lockers to depart your baggage if you’re simply stopping off in your journey. I
f you’ve got some further time then a brief prepare journey from the centre of Okayama to Kurashiki Bikan, a historic service provider city constructed across the canal is one other a part of town value including to your itinerary.
7. Kanazawa
Kanazawa Fort is well-known for Kenrokuen Gardens, one other of the highest 3 gardens in Japan. The fortress itself has had ongoing rebuilding tasks underway because the Nineties which have enhanced the unique feudal-age stays of turrets, storehouses and fortifications with substantial recreated fortress buildings.
8. Nijo
Inside the metropolis of Kyoto, we take into account Nijo Fort a must-visit spot though what stays of the particular fortress fortification is minimal. Some foundations of the principle fortress, partitions and turrets are nonetheless right here however what Nijo has that makes it so particular is the surviving palace, the intensive gardens with double moat and lots of different historic buildings.
9. Osaka
Osaka is the biggest metropolis to have a fortress its the central metropolis. As a recreation, it’s maybe one of many much less spectacular in some methods with its ferroconcrete building however its spectacular positioning within the surrounding park, being seen from the tallest buildings and lookouts like Harukas 360 and the Umeda Sky Constructing all through town and the view from the highest of the fortress itself giving an encompassing view
10. Nagahama
The city of Nagahama received our hearts on our 2011 winter go to once we made our manner on the market to attend a bonsai show of cherry and plum bushes, an occasion often called Bonbai, within the historic Keiunkan a venue that performed host to Emperors and Princesses. It’s a wonderful city, so pleasant, with nice meals, artisans, spectacular festivals and a fortress. Not surprisingly we’ve got discovered an excuse to incorporate a cease right here a number of instances since.
The fortress in Nagahama sits on the sting of the picturesque Lake Biwa, a spectacular location and though the fortress is a recreation it’s a much-loved gathering place for locals to return collectively, particularly throughout the cherry blossom season.
Escape again in time within the pages of a guide
If you’re within the dreaming and planning phases of your journey and also you wish to learn there are some good novels set in feudal Japan that may feed your curiosity in Japanese Castles and that interval in Japan’s historical past. They make an awesome learn and whenever you do get the possibility to go to a few of these fabulous spots they arrive to life in your creativeness.
Tales of the Otori is an efficient place to start out. This well-known trilogy by Lian Hearn and contains:
- Throughout the Nightengale Flooring
- Grass for his Pillow, and
- Brilliance of the Moon
It was subsequently prolonged with ‘The Harsh Cry of the Heron’ set 17 years later bringing within the story of Lord Takao Otori’s youngsters and a prequel ‘Heaven’s Internet is Broad’, the story of Lord Shigaru as much as the purpose the place he met Takao.
The fictional work is ready amongst the intrigue, brutality and complexities of feudal Japan, the world of shoguns and samurai, concubines and ninjas.
One other learn to satiate an curiosity in Japan’s historical past and tradition is The Story of Genji. Set within the eleventh century it’s believed to be the world’s first novel and written over 1000 years in the past. It was penned by a noblewoman, a lady-in-waiting inside the Courtroom however don’t anticipate it to be all prim and correct, Murasaki Shikibu didn’t shrink back from the scandals of the aristocracy.
When you get caught up on this one you’ll wish to embrace a cease at Uji in Kyoto, it’s a simple day journey from town and has many connections to the novel. I used to be additionally wowed by the unimaginable element in a show of painted screens depicting scenes from the guide at Nezu Museum in Shibuya. Whereas that exhibit was momentary I’d extremely suggest a go to to the museum, gardens and teahouse.
A number of suggestions for visiting Japanese castles
- If you wish to go to castles from a base inside a serious metropolis then Kyoto is a wonderful selection. There are many nice day journeys from Kyoto and the unique castles of Himeji and Hikone can each be reached simply from there together with Korakuen, the fortress backyard at Okayama recognised as one in all Japan’s prime 3 gardens.
- If you’re planning to journey round between cities on day journeys or a spherical journey then one of many Japan Rail Passes has beforehand been a superb selection, since late 2023 it not often pays off however we’ve got the data right here to work out if a JR move is value it on your itinerary. It’s nonetheless straightforward to get round Japan even with out the move.
- Lots of the smaller fortress cities have a beautiful really feel to them and along with the fortress, gardens and any related museums it’s value searching for out the historic road main as much as the fortress as these are sometimes nicely preserved and might embrace some glorious eating places and teashops. They received’t essentially be the way in which you are available in from the station however they received’t be exhausting to seek out.