Nagoya Castle

Nagoya Castle was built by Ieyasu Tokugawa in 1609.
This had been the castle for Tokugawa family until Meiji era.

There're golden fish on top of the roof of the castle tower.
It's known as symbol of Nagoya Castle.

Currently main building is being restored for the opening in 2018.
Current concrete castle tower is planned to be restored as wooden castle tower as the same construction as the original tower.

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<The Nearest Station>

Shiyakusho station on Meijo Line (Subway)  (Aichi Prefecture)

<Admission>

500 yen

9:00 - 16:30     Closed from Dec. 29 through Jan. 1

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Osaka Castle

Osaka Castle was built in 1589 by Hideyoshi Toyotomi who unified Japan for the first time. After his death in 1598, his son Hideyori took over this castle.

This castle was attacked by Ieyasu Tokugawa twice, winter in 1614 and summer in 1615, then Toyotomi family was terminated.

On top of the ruin of the castle, ground level was raised by filling earth.

New castle was built by Tokugawa family in 1629.
It's lost by fire at Meiji Restoration.

Current castle tower was built in 1931.

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<The Nearest Station>

JR Osakajo Koen station

<Admission>

600 yen

9:00 - 17:00     Closed from Dec. 28 through Jan. 1

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Odawara Castle

Odawara Castle was built in 1417.

This castle used to be surrounded by huge earthwork and dry moat.
It's called an impregnable castle and held out against the attacks by Kenshin Uesugi or Shingen Takeda who were known as strong Feudal Lords.

You can see the ocean from castle tower.

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<The Nearest Station>

JR Odawara station (Kanagawa Prefecture)

<Admission>

500 yen

9:00 - 17:00     Closed on Dec. 31 & Jan. 1

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Aizu Wakamatsu Castle

Original Aizu Wakamatsu Castle was 1384.

Masamune Date in Sendai attacked this castle and got it in 1589.
But it was taken over by other Feudal Lord by the order of Hideyoshi Toyotomi.

This castle was the battle place of Aizu war at Meiji Restoration in 1868.

Current castle tower was made of concrete in 1965.

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<The Nearest Station>

JR Aizu Wakamatsu station and bus

<Admission>

510 yen

8:30 - 17:00

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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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