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Castles in Japan

297 landmarks in the Castlemap atlas — every one mapped with a photo and its story, 247 with sourced founding dates, ranked by Wikipedia coverage and real readership.

The most famous castle in Japan is Himeji Castle, ranked #29 of 7,738 in the world — followed by Osaka Castle and Tokyo Imperial Palace.

The Castlemap atlas charts 165 castles, 3 fortresses, 11 palaces & châteaux and 118 ruins in Japan. They span more than 23 centuries — from Yoshinogari site (founded 400 BC) to Akasaka Palace (1909). Every one is plotted with its photo and story on the interactive castle map of Japan.

Map of castles in Japan

On the map they cluster thickest around Higashiōmi — 70 within a 100 km day trip, then Hikone (70) and Kōka (70). The northernmost is Nemuro Peninsula Chashi Sites, the southernmost Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu — about 2,515 km apart.

Planning a visit? Day-trip guides: Castles near Osaka · Castles near Tokyo · Castles near Kyoto · Castles near Kobe · Castles near Nagoya · Castles near Yokkaichi — and 14 more in the city index.

By region: Castles in Kansai · Castles on Kyushu · Castles on Shikoku.

See them on the map →

When they were built

Of the 297 landmarks mapped in Japan, 247 carry a sourced founding date. Most were founded in the 16th century — 94 of them. 93 predate 1500 and 11 were built after 1700.

All 297 castles in Japan

Himeji Castle
Castle · 14th century · #29 worldwide · #1 in Japan
Himeji Castle (姫路城, Himeji-jō; [çime̞ʑiꜜʑo̞ː] ) is a hilltop Japanese castle complex situated in Himeji, a city in Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan.
Osaka Castle
Castle · 16th century · #35 worldwide · #2 in Japan
Osaka Castle is a Japanese castle in Chūō-ku, Osaka, Japan. The castle is one of Japan's most famous landmarks and played a major role in the…
Tokyo Imperial Palace
Palace & château · 19th century · #55 worldwide · #3 in Japan
The Imperial Palace is the main residence of the emperor of Japan. It is a large park-like area located in the Chiyoda district of the Chiyoda ward…
Kumamoto Castle
Castle · 17th century · #80 worldwide · #4 in Japan
Kumamoto Castle is a hilltop Japanese castle located in Chūō-ku, Kumamoto, in Kumamoto Prefecture. It was a large and well-fortified castle.
Edo Castle
Castle · 15th century · #92 worldwide · #5 in Japan
Edo Castle is a flatland castle that was built in 1457 by Ōta Dōkan in Edo, Toshima District, Musashi Province.
Shuri Castle
Castle · 14th century · #99 worldwide · #6 in Japan
Shuri Castle is a Ryukyuan gusuku castle in the historic Shuri district of Naha, the capital of Okinawa Prefecture, Japan.
Matsumoto Castle
Castle · 16th century · #107 worldwide · #7 in Japan
Matsumoto Castle, originally known as Fukashi Castle, is one of Japan's premier historic castles, along with Himeji and Kumamoto.
Nagoya Castle
Castle · 16th century · #108 worldwide · #8 in Japan
Nagoya Castle is a Japanese castle located in Nagoya, Japan. Nagoya Castle was constructed by the Owari Domain in 1612 during the Edo period on the…
Kyoto Imperial Palace
Palace & château · 14th century · #133 worldwide · #9 in Japan
The Kyōto Imperial Palace, also known as Dairi or Kinri, is the former palace of the Emperor of Japan from 1331 to 1869 located in Kamigyō-ku, Kyoto,…
Azuchi Castle
Ruin · 16th century · #143 worldwide · #10 in Japan
Azuchi Castle was one of the primary castles of Oda Nobunaga located in the Azuchi neighborhood of the city of Ōmihachiman, Shiga Prefecture.
Nijō Castle
Castle · 17th century · #175 worldwide · #11 in Japan
Nijō Castle is a flatland castle in Kyoto, Japan. The castle consists of two concentric rings of fortifications, the Ninomaru Palace, the ruins of…
Fushimi Castle
Castle · 16th century · #204 worldwide · #12 in Japan
Fushimi Castle, also known as Momoyama Castle or Fushimi-Momoyama Castle, is a Japanese castle located in Fushimi Ward, Kyoto.
Hiroshima Castle
Castle · 16th century · #214 worldwide · #13 in Japan
Hiroshima Castle, sometimes called Carp Castle, is a castle in Hiroshima, Japan that was the residence of the daimyō of the Hiroshima Domain.
Goryōkaku
Fortress · 19th century · #225 worldwide · #14 in Japan
Goryōkaku is a star fort in the Japanese city of Hakodate on the island of Hokkaido. The fortress was completed in 1866.
Hikone Castle
Castle · 17th century · #226 worldwide · #15 in Japan
Hikone Castle is an Edo-period Japanese castle located in the city of Hikone, Shiga Prefecture, Japan.
Inuyama Castle
Castle · 15th century · #243 worldwide · #16 in Japan
Inuyama Castle is a hirayama-style Japanese castle located in the city of Inuyama, Aichi Prefecture, Japan.
Matsue Castle
Castle · 17th century · #256 worldwide · #17 in Japan
Matsue Castle is a Japanese castle located in Matsue, Shimane Prefecture. Matsue Castle was constructed from 1607 to 1611 by Horio Yoshiharu, the…
Gifu Castle
Castle · 13th century · #287 worldwide · #18 in Japan
Gifu Castle is a Japanese castle located in the city of Gifu, Gifu Prefecture, Japan.
Akasaka Palace
Palace & château · 20th century · #309 worldwide · #19 in Japan
Akasaka Palace is a state guest house of the government of Japan. Other state guesthouses of the government include the Kyoto State Guest House.
Odawara Castle
Castle · 15th century · #316 worldwide · #20 in Japan
Odawara Castle is a reconstructed Japanese castle in the city of Odawara in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan.
Okayama Castle
Castle · 14th century · #346 worldwide · #21 in Japan
Okayama Castle is a Japanese castle in the city of Okayama in Okayama Prefecture in Japan.
Hirosaki Castle
Castle · 17th century · #22 in Japan
Hirosaki Castle is a hirayama-style Japanese castle constructed in 1611. It was the seat of the Tsugaru clan, a 47,000 koku tozama daimyō clan which…
Kanazawa Castle
Castle · 16th century · #23 in Japan
Kanazawa Castle is a large, partially restored Japanese castle in Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan.
Aizuwakamatsu Castle
Castle · 14th century · #24 in Japan
Tsuruga Castle, also known as Aizuwakamatsu Castle is a Japanese castle in northern Japan, at the center of the city of Aizuwakamatsu, in Fukushima…
Heian Palace
Palace & château · 8th century · #25 in Japan
The Heian Palace was the original imperial palace of Heian-kyō, then the capital of Japan.
Kōchi Castle
Castle · 17th century · #26 in Japan
Kōchi Castle is an Edo Period Japanese castle in the city of Kōchi, Kōchi Prefecture, Japan.
Matsuyama Castle
Castle · 17th century · #27 in Japan
Matsuyama Castle is a "flatland-mountain"-style Japanese castle that was built in 1603 on Mount Katsuyama, in the city of Matsuyama in Ehime…
Maruoka Castle
Castle · 16th century · #28 in Japan
Maruoka Castle is a hirayama-style Japanese castle located in the Maruoka neighbourhood of the city of Sakai, Fukui Prefecture, in the Hokuriku…
Kiyosu Castle
Castle · 14th century · #29 in Japan
Kiyosu Castle is a Japanese castle located in Kiyosu, western Aichi Prefecture, Japan.
Okazaki Castle
Castle · 15th century · #30 in Japan
Okazaki Castle is a Japanese castle located in Okazaki, Aichi Prefecture, Japan.
Katsura Imperial Villa
Palace & château · #31 in Japan
The Katsura Imperial Villa or Katsura Detached Palace is an Imperial residence with associated gardens and outbuildings in the western suburbs of…
Heijō Palace
Palace & château · #32 in Japan
Heijō Palace was the imperial residence in the Japanese capital city Heijō-kyō, during most of the Nara period.
Kokura Castle
Castle · 17th century · #33 in Japan
Kokura Castle is a five-story castle in Kitakyushu, Japan. A castle was first built at the current site in 1569.
Oshi Castle
Castle · 15th century · #34 in Japan
Oshi Castle is a Japanese castle located in Gyōda, Saitama Prefecture, Japan.
Sunpu Castle
Castle · 16th century · #35 in Japan
Sunpu Castle is a Japanese castle in Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture in Japan.
Sendai Castle
Ruin · 17th century · #36 in Japan
Aoba Castle is a Japanese castle located in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture. Throughout the Edo period, Aoba Castle was home to the Date clan, daimyō of…
Tottori Castle
Ruin · 16th century · #37 in Japan
Tottori Castle was a Japanese castle located in Tottori, Tottori Prefecture in the San'in Region of western Japan.
Matsumae Castle
Castle · 17th century · #38 in Japan
Matsumae Castle is a castle located in Matsumae, Hokkaido, Japan, and is the northernmost castle in Japan.
Yoshinogari site
Ruin · 4th century BC · #39 in Japan
Yoshinogari is a large and complex Yayoi period archaeological site located in the town of Yoshinogari and city of Kanzaki in Saga Prefecture,…
Iwamura Castle
Ruin · 12th century · #40 in Japan
Iwamura Castle was located in the southeastern area of Mino Province in Japan.
Wakayama Castle
Castle · 16th century · #41 in Japan
Wakayama Castle is a Japanese castle located in the city Wakayama, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan.
Takeda Castle
Ruin · 15th century · #42 in Japan
Takeda Castle was a Sengoku period Japanese castle located in the Wadayama neighborhood of the city of Asago, in the northern part of Hyōgo…
Ichijōdani Asakura Family Historic Ruins
Ruin · 15th century · #43 in Japan
The Ichijōdani Asakura Family Historic Ruins are historic ruins located in the Kidonouchi section of the city of Fukui, Fukui Prefecture, in the…
Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu
Castle · #44 in Japan
The Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site which consists of nine sites all located in the…
Taga Castle
Ruin · 8th century · #45 in Japan
Taga Castle was a jōsaku-style Japanese castle built in the late Nara period in what is now part of the city of Tagajō in Miyagi prefecture in the…
Imabari Castle
Castle · 17th century · #46 in Japan
Imabari Castle is a Japanese castle in Imabari, Ehime, Japan. It was the center of Imabari Domain during the Edo Period Tokugawa shogunate and was…
Marugame Castle
Castle · 16th century · #47 in Japan
Marugame Castle is an Edo Period Japanese castle in the city of Marugame, Kagawa Prefecture, Japan.
Shimabara Castle
Castle · 17th century · #48 in Japan
Shimabara Castle, also known as Moritake Castle and Takaki Castle, is a Japanese castle located in Shimabara, Hizen Province.
Hagi Castle
Ruin · 17th century · #49 in Japan
Hagi Castle is a Japanese castle located in the city of Hagi, Yamaguchi Prefecture, in the San'yō region of Japan.
Takamatsu Castle (Sanuki)
Castle · 16th century · #50 in Japan
Takamatsu Castle is a Japanese castle located in central Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture, on the island of Shikoku, Japan.
Nakijin Castle
Ruin · 14th century · #51 in Japan
Nakijin Castle was a Ryūkyūan gusuku fortification located in the village of Nakijin, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan.
Hara Castle
Ruin · 15th century · #52 in Japan
The Hara Castle was a Sengoku period Japanese castle cemetery located in the Minami-Arima neighbourhood of city of Minamishimabara, Nagasaki…
Bitchū Matsuyama Castle
Castle · 13th century · #53 in Japan
Bitchū Matsuyama Castle, also known as Takahashi Castle, is a Japanese castle located in the city of Takahashi, Okayama Prefecture, in the San'yō…
Toyama Castle
Castle · 16th century · #54 in Japan
Toyama Castle is a flatland-style Japanese castle located in the city of Toyama, Toyama Prefecture, in the Hokuriku region of Japan.
Uwajima Castle
Castle · 17th century · #55 in Japan
Uwajima Castle is a hirayama-jiro Japanese castle located in the city of Uwajima, Ehime, Japan. An alternate name for this castle is Tsurushima-jō.
Odani Castle
Ruin · 16th century · #56 in Japan
Odani Castle was a Sengoku period mountain-top Japanese castle located in the former town of Kohoku, now part of Nagahama city, in Shiga Prefecture,…
Kagoshima Castle
Ruin · 17th century · #57 in Japan
Kagoshima Castle was an Edo period flatland-style Japanese castle located in the city of Kagoshima, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan.
Ueda Castle
Castle · 16th century · #58 in Japan
Ueda Castle is a Japanese castle located in Ueda, northern Nagano Prefecture, Japan.
Komoro Castle
Castle · 15th century · #59 in Japan
Komoro Castle is a Japanese castle located in the city of Komoro, central Nagano Prefecture, Japan.
Fukuoka Castle
Castle · 17th century · #60 in Japan
Fukuoka Castle is a Japanese castle located in Chūō-ku, Fukuoka, Japan. It is also known as Maizuru Castle or Seki Castle.
Sawayama Castle
Ruin · #61 in Japan
Kōriyama Castle
Ruin · 12th century · #62 in Japan
Kasugayama Castle
Ruin · #63 in Japan
Akashi Castle
Ruin · 17th century · #64 in Japan
Nagahama Castle
Castle · 16th century · #65 in Japan
Komine Castle
Castle · 14th century · #66 in Japan
Kakegawa Castle
Castle · 15th century · #67 in Japan
Kubota Castle
Castle · 17th century · #68 in Japan
Ōzu Castle
Castle · 14th century · #69 in Japan
Ōgaki Castle
Castle · 16th century · #70 in Japan
Morioka Castle
Castle · 16th century · #71 in Japan
Tsuyama Castle
Castle · 15th century · #72 in Japan
Katsuren Castle
Castle · 15th century · #73 in Japan
Nakagusuku Castle
Ruin · 14th century · #74 in Japan
Nagoya Castle (Hizen Province)
Castle · 16th century · #75 in Japan
Fukuyama Castle
Castle · 17th century · #76 in Japan
Gassantoda Castle
Ruin · 14th century · #77 in Japan
Hamamatsu Castle
Ruin · 16th century · #78 in Japan
Daikaku-ji Temple
Palace & château · 9th century · #79 in Japan
Akita Castle
Ruin · 8th century · #80 in Japan
Akō Castle
Ruin · 17th century · #81 in Japan
Takamatsu Castle (Bitchū)
Ruin · 16th century · #82 in Japan
Iwakuni Castle
Castle · 17th century · #83 in Japan
Fukui Castle
Castle · 17th century · #84 in Japan
Iga Ueno Castle
Castle · 16th century · #85 in Japan
Jurakudai
Palace & château · 16th century · #86 in Japan
Sunomata Castle
Castle · 16th century · #87 in Japan
Mito Castle
Ruin · 12th century · #88 in Japan
Kishiwada Castle
Castle · #89 in Japan
Yamagata Castle
Castle · 14th century · #90 in Japan
Kawagoe Castle
Castle · 15th century · #91 in Japan
Kannonji Castle
Ruin · 15th century · #92 in Japan
Utsunomiya Castle
Castle · #93 in Japan
Sasayama Castle
Ruin · 17th century · #94 in Japan
Hirado Castle
Castle · 18th century · #95 in Japan
Fukuchiyama Castle
Castle · 16th century · #96 in Japan
Matsushiro Castle
Castle · 16th century · #97 in Japan
Zakimi Castle
Ruin · 15th century · #98 in Japan
Nakatsu Castle
Castle · 16th century · #99 in Japan
Takatō Castle
Castle · 16th century · #100 in Japan
Yoshida-Kōriyama Castle
Ruin · 14th century · #101 in Japan
Funai Castle
Castle · 16th century · #102 in Japan
Saga Castle
Castle · 17th century · #103 in Japan
Maizuru Castle Park
Castle · 16th century · #104 in Japan
Nagashino Castle
Ruin · 16th century · #105 in Japan
Minowa Castle
Ruin · 16th century · #106 in Japan
Shugaku-in Imperial Villa
Palace & château · 17th century · #107 in Japan
Itami Castle
Castle · #108 in Japan
Chihaya Castle
Ruin · 14th century · #109 in Japan
Hachiōji Castle
Ruin · 16th century · #110 in Japan
Yonezawa Castle
Castle · 13th century · #111 in Japan
Hachigata Castle
Ruin · 15th century · #112 in Japan
Nihonmatsu Castle
Castle · 14th century · #113 in Japan
Ashikaga Clan Residence (Banna-ji)
Castle · 12th century · #114 in Japan
Kanayama Castle
Castle · 15th century · #115 in Japan
Ne Castle
Castle · 14th century · #116 in Japan
Kameyama Castle (Kyoto)
Castle · 16th century · #117 in Japan
Takada Castle
Castle · 17th century · #118 in Japan
Amagasaki Castle
Castle · 17th century · #119 in Japan
Tokushima Castle
Ruin · 16th century · #120 in Japan
Shōren-in Temple
Palace & château · 12th century · #121 in Japan
Numata Castle
Castle · 16th century · #122 in Japan
Tsutsujigasaki Castle
Castle · 16th century · #123 in Japan
Mizuki
Ruin · 7th century · #124 in Japan
Takashima Castle
Castle · 16th century · #125 in Japan
Shibata Castle
Castle · 16th century · #126 in Japan
Shiroishi Castle
Castle · 16th century · #127 in Japan
Karatsu Castle
Castle · 17th century · #128 in Japan
Oka Castle
Ruin · 12th century · #129 in Japan
Miki Castle
Castle · 15th century · #130 in Japan
Sakura Castle
Ruin · 17th century · #131 in Japan
Tsuwano Castle
Ruin · 14th century · #132 in Japan
Yoshida Castle
Castle · 16th century · #133 in Japan
Nanao Castle
Ruin · 15th century · #134 in Japan
Gujō Hachiman Castle
Castle · 16th century · #135 in Japan
Kyu Shiba Rikyu Garden
Palace & château · 17th century · #136 in Japan
Takatori Castle
Ruin · 14th century · #137 in Japan
Sumoto Castle
Castle · 16th century · #138 in Japan
Yamanaka Castle
Ruin · 16th century · #139 in Japan
Ōno Castle
Castle · 16th century · #140 in Japan
Takaoka Castle
Castle · 17th century · #141 in Japan
Ki Castle
Castle · 7th century · #142 in Japan
Takasaki Castle
Castle · 16th century · #143 in Japan
Shōryūji Castle
Castle · 14th century · #144 in Japan
Kuwana Castle
Castle · 17th century · #145 in Japan
Kitanosho Castle
Castle · 16th century · #146 in Japan
Tsu Castle
Castle · 16th century · #147 in Japan
Obi Castle
Castle · 16th century · #148 in Japan
Tatsuno Castle
Castle · 15th century · #149 in Japan
Maebashi Castle
Castle · 15th century · #150 in Japan
Izushi Castle
Castle · 17th century · #151 in Japan
Akutagawayama Castle
Ruin · 16th century · #152 in Japan
Ōtaki Castle
Castle · 16th century · #153 in Japan
Karasawa Castle
Castle · 15th century · #154 in Japan
Iwatsuki Castle
Castle · 15th century · #155 in Japan
Ōno Castle (Chikuzen)
Ruin · 7th century · #156 in Japan
Kaneda Castle
Ruin · 7th century · #157 in Japan
Kaminoyama Castle
Castle · 16th century · #158 in Japan
Hitoyoshi Castle
Ruin · 12th century · #159 in Japan
Kurume Castle
Ruin · 16th century · #160 in Japan
Benten Daiba
Fortress · 19th century · #161 in Japan
Yatsushiro Castle
Ruin · 17th century · #162 in Japan
Tatebayashi Castle
Castle · 16th century · #163 in Japan
Matsusaka Castle
Ruin · 16th century · #164 in Japan
Tsuchiura Castle
Castle · #165 in Japan
Tatsuoka Castle
Ruin · 19th century · #166 in Japan
Obama Castle (Wakasa Province)
Castle · 17th century · #167 in Japan
Tateyama Castle
Castle · 16th century · #168 in Japan
Sakamoto Castle
Castle · 16th century · #169 in Japan
Yuzuki Castle
Castle · 14th century · #170 in Japan
Murakami Castle
Castle · 15th century · #171 in Japan
Suemori Castle
Castle · 16th century · #172 in Japan
Shiryōkaku
Fortress · 19th century · #173 in Japan
Sekiyado Castle
Castle · 16th century · #174 in Japan
Kameyama Castle (Mie)
Castle · 16th century · #175 in Japan
Zeze Castle
Castle · 17th century · #176 in Japan
Mihara Castle
Ruin · #177 in Japan
Ichinomiya Castle
Castle · 14th century · #178 in Japan
Ishigakiyama Castle
Ruin · 16th century · #179 in Japan
Nagurumi Castle
Ruin · 15th century · #180 in Japan
Kushima Castle
Castle · 16th century · #181 in Japan
Iimoriyama Castle
Ruin · 14th century · #182 in Japan
Iwabitsu Castle
Ruin · #183 in Japan
Takayama Castle
Castle · 16th century · #184 in Japan
Yonago Castle
Ruin · 15th century · #185 in Japan
Shigisan Castle
Ruin · 16th century · #186 in Japan
Kururi Castle
Castle · 15th century · #187 in Japan
Tanabe Castle
Castle · #188 in Japan
Kitsuki Castle
Ruin · 14th century · #189 in Japan
Tomioka Castle
Castle · 17th century · #190 in Japan
Tanaka Castle
Castle · 16th century · #191 in Japan
Yodo Castle
Castle · #192 in Japan
Nagaoka Castle
Castle · 16th century · #193 in Japan
Nishio Castle
Castle · 16th century · #194 in Japan
Kozukue Castle
Ruin · 15th century · #195 in Japan
Nemuro Peninsula Chashi Sites
Ruin · 18th century · #196 in Japan
Shinpu Castle
Ruin · 16th century · #197 in Japan
Okō Castle
Ruin · #198 in Japan
Yakami Castle
Ruin · 16th century · #199 in Japan
Yamashina Hongan-ji
Ruin · 15th century · #200 in Japan
Hiji Castle
Castle · 17th century · #201 in Japan
Hachimanyama Castle
Ruin · 16th century · #202 in Japan
Hinoe Castle
Ruin · 13th century · #203 in Japan
Toba Castle
Ruin · 16th century · #204 in Japan
Hachinohe Castle
Ruin · 17th century · #205 in Japan
Usuki Castle
Castle · 16th century · #206 in Japan
Noda Castle
Castle · 16th century · #207 in Japan
Iwasaki Castle
Castle · 16th century · #208 in Japan
Takatenjin Castle
Ruin · #209 in Japan
Oda Castle
Castle · #210 in Japan
Tsurugaoka Castle
Castle · 13th century · #211 in Japan
Kuroi Castle
Castle · #212 in Japan
Najima Castle
Castle · 16th century · #213 in Japan
Kanegasaki Castle
Ruin · #214 in Japan
Tachibana Castle
Castle · 14th century · #215 in Japan
Naegi Castle
Castle · 16th century · #216 in Japan
Arikoyama Castle
Ruin · 16th century · #217 in Japan
Yokote Castle
Castle · 16th century · #218 in Japan
Nagashima Castle
Castle · 13th century · #219 in Japan
Kasama Castle
Castle · 13th century · #220 in Japan
Nirayama Castle
Ruin · 15th century · #221 in Japan
Iwadeyama Castle
Castle · #222 in Japan
Shingū Castle
Castle · 17th century · #223 in Japan
Miyazu Castle
Castle · 16th century · #224 in Japan
Matsukura Castle
Castle · 14th century · #225 in Japan
Kitabatake Clan Residence
Castle · 17th century · #226 in Japan
Minakuchi Castle
Castle · #227 in Japan
Takiyama Castle
Ruin · 16th century · #228 in Japan
Twelve Garrisons of Southern Hokkaido
Ruin · #229 in Japan
Miyao Castle
Castle · #230 in Japan
Urasoe Castle
Ruin · #231 in Japan
Kunohe Castle
Castle · #232 in Japan
Sadowara Castle
Castle · 14th century · #233 in Japan
Ishida Castle
Ruin · 19th century · #234 in Japan
Kōkokuji Castle
Ruin · #235 in Japan
Tahara Castle
Castle · 15th century · #236 in Japan
Karasuyama Castle
Castle · 15th century · #237 in Japan
Kikuchi Castle
Ruin · 7th century · #238 in Japan
Shibushi Castle
Ruin · #239 in Japan
Suwahara Castle
Ruin · 16th century · #240 in Japan
Kaneyama Castle
Ruin · 16th century · #241 in Japan
Nochiseyama Castle
Ruin · 16th century · #242 in Japan
Tamaru Castle
Castle · #243 in Japan
Shakujii Castle
Castle · 12th century · #244 in Japan
Shinjō Castle
Castle · 17th century · #245 in Japan
Hamada Castle
Ruin · 17th century · #246 in Japan
Noshima Castle
Ruin · #247 in Japan
Uda Matsuyama Castle
Ruin · #248 in Japan
Shōzui Castle
Ruin · #249 in Japan
Jōjō Castle
Ruin · 13th century · #250 in Japan
Moto Sakura Castle
Ruin · 15th century · #251 in Japan
Shinoridate
Ruin · #252 in Japan
Matsukura Castle (Hida Province)
Castle · 16th century · #253 in Japan
Konosumiyama Castle
Ruin · 14th century · #254 in Japan
Akagi Castle
Ruin · 16th century · #255 in Japan
Mibu Castle
Castle · 15th century · #256 in Japan
Sagiyama Castle
Ruin · #257 in Japan
Genbao Castle
Ruin · #258 in Japan
Tochio Castle
Ruin · #259 in Japan
Wakasa Oniga Castle
Ruin · 12th century · #260 in Japan
Kakunodate Castle
Castle · #261 in Japan
Yogaisan Castle
Ruin · 16th century · #262 in Japan
Aya Castle
Castle · 14th century · #263 in Japan
Kuniyoshi Castle
Ruin · 16th century · #264 in Japan
Numazu Castle
Castle · 18th century · #265 in Japan
Koromo Castle
Castle · 18th century · #266 in Japan
Minato Castle
Castle · 15th century · #267 in Japan
Kii Castle
Ruin · 7th century · #268 in Japan
Kamaha Castle
Ruin · #269 in Japan
Namioka Castle
Ruin · 14th century · #270 in Japan
Miharu Castle
Castle · 16th century · #271 in Japan
Katsuyama-date
Ruin · 15th century · #272 in Japan
Amagiri Castle
Ruin · 14th century · #273 in Japan
Masuyama Castle
Ruin · 14th century · #274 in Japan
Sugiyama Castle
Ruin · #275 in Japan
Kōnomine Castle
Ruin · 16th century · #276 in Japan
Ōuchi-shi Yakata
Ruin · #277 in Japan
Saiki Castle
Ruin · 17th century · #278 in Japan
Nobeoka Castle
Castle · #279 in Japan
Torigoe Castle
Ruin · 16th century · #280 in Japan
Sugaya Yakata
Ruin · #281 in Japan
Mukaihaguroyama Castle
Castle · 17th century · #282 in Japan
Wakimoto Castle
Ruin · #283 in Japan
Shimo-Akasaka Castle
Ruin · #284 in Japan
Obama Castle (Mutsu Province)
Castle · #285 in Japan
Samegao Castle
Ruin · #286 in Japan
Hiketa Castle
Ruin · #287 in Japan
Agena Castle
Castle · #288 in Japan
Niitakayama Castle
Ruin · 16th century · #289 in Japan
Kanjōsan Castle
Ruin · #290 in Japan
Fukuyama Castle (Sōja)
Ruin · #291 in Japan
Tsunomure Castle
Ruin · 13th century · #292 in Japan
Chiran Castle
Ruin · #293 in Japan
Ina Castle
Castle · 15th century · #294 in Japan
Furumiya Castle
Ruin · 16th century · #295 in Japan
Nakamurayama Castle
Castle · #296 in Japan
Komakiyama Castle
Castle · 16th century · #297 in Japan

Frequently asked questions

How many castles are in Japan?

The Castlemap atlas maps 297 landmarks (165 castles · 3 fortresses · 11 palaces & châteaux · 118 ruins) in Japan — a curated selection of well-documented landmarks from Wikidata, not a count of every fortification ever built.

What is the most famous castle in Japan?

Himeji Castle, ranked #29 of 7,738 worldwide in the atlas's fame ranking, founded in the 14th century.

What is the oldest castle in Japan?

The oldest dated landmark in the atlas in Japan is Yoshinogari site, founded 400 BC. Earlier structures may have existed — this is the oldest with a documented founding year.

Where are most of the castles in Japan?

They cluster thickest around Higashiōmi — 70 of the atlas's landmarks within 100 km, then Hikone (70) and Kōka (70).

Which castles in Japan are UNESCO World Heritage Sites?

Per Wikidata, 11 of the mapped landmarks hold a UNESCO World Heritage designation — inscribed in their own right or as part of an inscribed ensemble: Himeji Castle, Shuri Castle, Nijō Castle, Heijō Palace, Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu, Hagi Castle, Nakijin Castle, Hara Castle, Katsuren Castle, Nakagusuku Castle and 1 more.

How many castles are there in Japan?