Of the numerous castles built since the 15 th century, only a dozen or so original structures are standing. The other castles have been destroyed and reconstructed over the years. The others are ruins of the original structures.
Perhaps the most impressive castle standing today is the Himeji Castle . It is one of the few remaining original castles in Japan . Completed in 1609, the Himeji Castle is considered a national treasure. UNESCO has designated this castle as a world heritage site. The best time to visit would be in early April when the cherry blossoms are in bloom.
The Hikone Castle is another original castle designated as a national treasure. It was built in 1622 and was never destroyed by wars or natural calamities. The architecture of this castle is one of the most unique in Japan.
Another castle which is considered a national treasure can be found in a plain. The Matsumoto Castle was fully completed in 1635, during a time when military threats were almost inexistent. Today, its sheer beauty captures the hearts of many locals and visitors alike.
The oldest original donjon that exists in Japan today belongs to the Inuyama Castle . It was built in 1537 and has never been destroyed despite the numerous wars and natural calamities. Another unique fact about the Inuyama Castle is that it is the only castle owned by private citizens. It is owned by the Naruse family, who actually owned the castle in the 1600s. The Inuyama Castle is also considered a national treasure.
Even though the existing Hiroshima Castle is only a reconstruction of the original structure, it is still worth visiting. Compared to the original castle, which was completely destroyed by the Atomic Bomb, the present Hiroshima Castle is made of concrete. A museum is housed within its walls today.
Nagoya is Japan 's fourth largest city today and is home to the Nagoya Castle . During World War II, the castle was almost completely ruined. It was then reconstructed in 1959. Today, visitors go to the Nagoya Castle to learn about the city's history at the museum. Perhaps the more popular reason to visit the castle is to view the cherry blossoms.
The ruins of the Edo Castle are definitely a must-see when one goes to Tokyo . Today, one can visit the Imperial Palace , which now stands where the Edo Castle used to be. The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace are located where the innermost parts of the Edo Castle used to be. The only remaining parts of the Edo Castle are the moats, walls, gates, and some guard towers.
These castles are just a small taste of the numerous castles you can see in Japan . Original castles, reconstructed castles, or even castle ruins - they never fail to inspire awe in the visitor. A sightseeing trip to any of the localities which are home to a castle would not be complete without a visit to one of these historical structures. |
