During the Warring States period (15th-16th centuries), Japan's castles, with their keeps, citadels, and strong walls surrounded by moats, reflect a samurai's rich history. Its functional beauty is full of highlights. Inuyama Castle and Hikone Castle, have surviving castle towers, Himeji Castle, a world heritage site, and Nagoya Castle, are said to be the strongest castle in Japan. The revolutionary warlord Oda Nobunaga developed these features, starting with Komakiyama Castle and culminating in Azuchi Castle. In the peaceful Edo period that followed, castles transitioned from "fighting castles" to "deterrents to fighting." Himeji Castle and Nagoya Castle exemplify this shift, demonstrating the uselessness of fighting against the shogunate with their overwhelming beauty and gigantic size.
World Heitage Sites
Nijojo Castle
A residence of successive Tokugawa Shoguns in Kyoto. What kind of Tokugawa history had the castle watched? It was the growth, development, fall, and end of the Tokugawa Shogunate.
Himeji Castle
The 1st Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu's desire to "Win without fighting” by overwhelming grace and impregnable defense. Why did Ieyasu renovate this to be so much beauty?
Shuri Castle
National Treasures
Hikone Castle
Ii Naomasa, one of the four generals serving Tokugawa Ieyasu, pioneered the Hikoe Domain and its castle with his military prowess and great diplomatic power.
Inuyama Castle
The oldest castle in Aichi Pref. The castle lords, the Naruse clan, supported the Owari Tokugawa Domain & Tokugawa Shogunate for over 260 years.
Matse Castle
A simple and robust appearance with a calm historical atmosphere. Matsudaira Naomasa, the grandson of Tokugawa Ieyasu, entered the castle in 1638, a strategic point in the west.
Turning point in history
Edo Castle Ruin
Edo Castle, now the Imperial Palace
The former Tokugawa Shogun’s residence. Many people lived tumultuous lives at the end of the Edo Period.
Nagoya Castle
The overwhelming beauty of wall paintings with gold foil watched the Tokugawa Owari's castle. How did the last Lord, Yoshikatsu, decide to side with the Imperial Army rather than the Tokugawa Shogunate?
Osaka Castle
Osaka Castle is located at the critical point for traffic facing Osaka Bay. People in authority including emperors, Buddhists, and Samurai wanted this land. What kind of battles occurred to get it?
Wakayama Castle
A Keystone of Sea Transportation along the Kii Peninsula. It was built during the transition from Military to Civilian Rule at the beginning of the Edo period.
Odawara Castle
The pioneer warlord, Hojo Clan residence in the Kanto region for 100 years. How expanded the territory and why did it surrender? (@ Odawara City /小田原市）
Hamamatsu Castle
Ieyasu's base to fight against his arch-enemy, Takeda Shingen, to achieve a peaceful era under the alliance with Oda Nobunaga.
Azuchi Castle Ruin
The inaugural light-up event took place at Azuchi Castle led by Oda Nobunaga. This event served as a grand declaration heralding the arrival of the nat
Goryokaku Fort
The final Battle base of the Boshin War. The Last Samurai, Hijikata Toshizo, fought bravely with his leadership and strategy
Matsuaka Castle Ruin
Matsusaka Castle was built by Gamo Ujisato, great in martial arts and scholarship, and admired by Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi.