Japanese castles were fortresses constructed primarily of wood and stone. They evolved from the wooden stockades of earlier centuries, and came into their best-known form in the 16th century. There are only 12 castles that are considered ‘original,’ and one of them is Himeji Castle, a UNESCO Special Historic Site.
Tag: Castle
Soba Noodles Eating Tour in Izushi Castle Town, Hyogo
“Itadakimasu!“ With my stomach already dangerously at capacity, I dove into my last order of soba (buckwheat) noodles in the Japanese castle town of Izushi (出石). As my favourite go-to cold noodle dish during the summer months in Japan, I’m normally a bottomless pit when…
Chasing Rainbows and Facing Fears at Takeda Castle Ruins and Ikuno Silver Mine
I have a confession to make: I hate haunted houses. As a kid, the looming fear that something would come to life and jump out at me from the dark terrified me to the core. So you can imagine my surprise, when I first entered…
The Entrepreneurial Spirit of Tamba Sasayama Castle Town
It was a day of wind and rain — not exactly the ideal weather for a photoshoot in Hyogo Prefecture’s (兵庫県) Tamba Sasayama (丹波篠山市). Home to a rich 400-year old history, this Japanese castle town includes a unique pottery culture, a contemporary castle, and perfectly preserved…
Western Japan on a Budget: Explore Matsue Castle and a Yokai Manga Town Near Hiroshima
Sponsored by Chugoku Region Tourism Promotion Association / Chugoku District Transport Bureau We’ve already discussed in a previous article how easy and inexpensive it is to reach Matsue by bus from Hiroshima; now let’s talk about how easy it is to get around Matsue. With…
Hiroshima Bus Terminal: The Ultimate Tourist’s Guide to Budget Travel in Hiroshima, Japan
How to save money and make travel to destinations around Hiroshima easy and convenient using the Hiroshima Bus Terminal.
Day trip from Tokyo to Gyoda city, Saitama Prefecture, Japan
The Saitama Prefecture in Japan is a rich destination for history and culture, and Gyoda is a remarkable city to visit in this district. It only takes an hour to reach Gyoda by train from Tokyo – so if you’re after a day trip destination…
Day or Night, Okayama Castle is One of the Most Beautiful Castles in Japan
Sponsored by Okayama city, Okayama Perched on a hill overlooking the Asahi River, Okayama Castle, also known as “Crow Castle” (烏城 U-jō ) once acted as a stronghold for the Toyotomi Clan but now watches over its neighbor on the other side of the river, Korakuen…
How Oka Castle Became Japan’s Most Beloved Ruins
Sponsored by Tourism Oita In 1891, a young man stood, perhaps on the very spot I now stood, and surveyed the beauty around him. It was a paradox of sorts, standing in the ruins of what was once a proud and majestic castle. Oka Castle…
Kakegawa City: An Old Post Town, a Castle and the Rugby World Cup
Sponsored by Kakegawa City If you’re in town for the Rugby World Cup matches at Ecopa Stadium in Shizuoka Prefecture, don’t miss the opportunity to explore the hidden, historical gems scattered around the wonderfully peaceful city of Kakegawa. Kakegawa Castle If you want to immerse…
Discover Korakuen, One of Japan’s Best Gardens, and Okayama Castle During Autumn Foliage
Sponsored by Okayama City Okayama City is full of sightseeing destinations if you’re looking to take in Japan’s famous fall scenery. The yellows, oranges and reds of autumn work their way down Honshu Island, starting in Aomori in late September and reaching Okayama by mid-November.…