Inuyama Castle has the distinction of being the last castle in Japan to be privately owned, and in a room at the very top of the castle, one can peruse the photographs of its previous owners before it was given over to the Japanese government for its continued maintenance.

At the bottom of the castle, one can enter the complex through a beautiful shrine with many red gates reminiscent of a smaller Fushimi Inari (Kyoto). Inside the shrine, you’ll find a little pond which is said to double your money if you wash your coins in the water. This place is well-known for its resident deity who will help you find your life partner if you request it. You

can also write a wish on a heart-shaped wooden board (ema, 絵馬) and hang it on one of the terraces filled with similar wishes.

After you finish exploring the castle, descend back to ground level and stroll around an Edo-style town. You can spend hours exploring the carefully maintained shops. Our personal recommendations are either Temari Sushi or the local deep-fried soba tempura lunch!

Built in 1611, Matsue Castle bears the auspicious nickname Plover Castle (Chidori-jō). The plover is a symbol of longevity in Japan, and according to onomatopoeia, the plover’s call “chiyo!” sounds like the word 千代 (chiyo), which means “1000 generations”.

The castle’s six storeys feature an abundance of artifacts and detail the history

of the castle. On the top floor, make sure to read about the process of how Matsue Castle became a National Treasure. Afterward, head over to the balcony window and enjoy the view of Matsue City with Lake Shinji stretching into the distance.

Since Matsue Castle has earned its place as one of the five National Treasure castles, the Matsue local government has now committed itself to rebuilding the main gate to further expand on the glamor of this precious location. The gathering of funds is well underway so that the construction process can begin.

In addition to the castle, the surrounding complex features plenty of areas to take photos with cherry blossoms and maple leaves, so be sure to visit in spring and autumn if you can! For more active travelers, rent a bicycle at Matsue Station and take tour of the city including a bike ride along the sparkling Lake Shinji.

With its hilltop location, it makes it a beautiful location to view Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan. Completed in 1622, the castle was an important seat for the feudal daimyo lords until the end of the period in 1868.

Structurally, Hikone Castle has some distinctive features that separates it from other castles in Japan, such as its spiral walkway to the castle that passes under an elegant bridge. This bridge was constructed in order to be destroyed in the event of an attack, effectively slowing enemy forces from breaching the castle’s inner

walls. Other interesting features include a large bell situated outside the castle and is rung several times a day for visitors.

While there, you may even meet the mascot of the castle and the Hikone area, Hiko-nyan, a white cat wearing a red samurai helmet. Hiko-nyan who has gained popularity over the whole of Japan for its adorable features, and many souvenirs feature the beloved mascot.

Thanks to the fact that no major battles were fought in the area, the castle never faced serious damage and has thus survived mainly intact for centuries. It even shockingly su

rvived the heavy bombing of Himeji City during World War II through use of dark nets to camouflage it from the pilots above.

Like many European castles, Himeji is surrounded by a series of concentric compounds, some of which even extend beyond the castle itself, with the aim of encircle and protect parts of the city as well. The Castle is five stories high, housing six floors and a basement level that was mainly used for food and armaments storage. The fortress homes are adorned by the finest craftwork and ornamentations, while the whole structure is surrounded by picturesque cherry trees, making the castle the perfect spot for iconic photographs.