Okayama Castle

Original Okayama Castle was built between 1346 and 1369.

This castle is located at river side.
There's Korakuen Park at the other side of the river.

Current castle tower was made of concrete in 1966.

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<The Nearest Station>

JR Okayama station and bus (Okayama Prefecture)

<Admission>

300 yen

9:00 - 17:30     Closed from Dec. 29 through Dec. 31

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Matsuyama Castle

Matsuyama Castle is on the top of Katsuyama mountain.
You need to ride on the rope way to get to the castle.

Construction started in 1602 just after the battle of Sekigahara and finished in 1627.

This castle has 40 buildings but lost 19 of them.
21 buildings are the second most remained buildings in a castle in Japan.
Nijo Castle in Kyoto has 28 buildings.

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<The Nearest Station>

JR Matsuyama station and street car (Ehime Prefecture)

<Admission>

510 yen and 510 yen for round trip by rope way

9:00 - 16:30

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Ogaki Castle

Ogaki Castle was built in 1500.
This castle was the last base before Mistunari Ishida went to the battle field in Sekigahara.

The battle of Sekigahara is the largest civil war in 1600.
Ieyasu Tokugawa, the founder of Tokugawa Shogunate beat Mitsunari Ishida.

Current castle tower made of concrete was built in 1959.

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<The Nearest Station>

JR Ogaki station (Gifu Prefecture)

<Admission>

100 yen

9:00 - 17:00     Closed from Dec. 29 through Jan. 3
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Gifu Castle

Gifu Castle is located on the top of Kinkazan Mountain.
The original fortress was built in 1201.

This castle became famous after Nobunaga Oda, one of the most famous Feudal Lord who tried to unify Japan built his castle here in 1567.

Current building was rebuilt in 1956.

There's a rope way to go to the top of the mountain.

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<The Nearest Station>

JR Gifu station and bus (Gifu Prefecture)

<Admission>

200 yen including museum

Mar. 16 - May 11: 9:30 - 17:30
May 12 - Oct. 16: 8:30 - 17:30
Oct. 17 - Mar. 15: 9:30 - 16:30
Jan. 1                : 6:30 - 16:30

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Hirosaki Castle

Hirosaki Castle is in Aomori Prefecture, Northern part of Japan.
This castle was built in 1611 but lost 5 story main tower by fire caused by thunderbolt in 1627.

Existing 3 story castle tower was built in 1811 to substitute the original tower.
It's not called the castle tower to show there's no intention to rebel against Shogun.

Cherry blossoms are famous here in Hirosaki Park.

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<The Nearest Station>

JR Hirosaki station and bus

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Kumamoto Castle

Kumamoto Castle suffered large earthquake in 2016 and most of the buildings and stone walls were damaged.

Original castle was built in late 15th century.
Main buildings were lost by fire during the civil war in 1877.

This castle has a large castle tower and small castle tower.
These were rebuilt in 1960.

These pictures were taken several months before the earthquake in 2016.
It may take about 20 years to repair damages.

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<The Nearest Station>

JR Kumamoto station and bus or street car (Kumamoto Prefecture)

Castle is closed

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Kochi Castle

Kochi Castle was made by Kazutoyo Yamanouchi in 1601.
He was a famous Feudal Lord who gained fame in the battle of Sekigahara in 1600.

Main buildings were lost by fire in 1727 but castle tower was rebuilt in 1749.
This is current existing castle tower.

Other buildings were rebuilt in 1753.

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<The Nearest Station>

JR Kochi station and bus or street car (Kochi Prefecture)

<Admission>

420 yen

9:00 - 17:00     Closed from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1

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Matsue Castle

Matsue Castle was built in 1611.
This castle was the center of Izumo area during Edo era.

It's located on the hill beside Lake Shinji.
Stone walls are made of natural stones.

It's one of 5 National Treasure castles and 12 castles with original castle tower.

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<The Nearest Station>

JR Matuse station on San-in Line and bus (Shimane Prefecture)

<Admission>

560 yen

Apr. 1 - Sep. 30: 8:30 - 18:30 (Gate open 7:00 - 19:30)

Oct. 1 - Mar. 31: 8:30 - 17:00 (Gate open 8:30 - 17:00)

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Inuyama Castle

Inuyama Castle is located on the hill beside Kisogawa River.
Only castle tower remains.

Original castle was built in late 15th century during civil war.
Current building was built in early 17th century.

It's one of 5 National Treasure castles and 12 castles with original castle tower.

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<The Nearest Station>

Inuyama station on Meitetsu Line (Aichi Prefecture)

<Admission>

550 yen

9:00 - 17:00      Closed on Dec.29 through 31

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