CASTLES

Ancient buildings almost always seem to come with a ghost story, and Japanese castles are no exception.

Just because these castles are ruined doesn't mean they aren't spectacular!

Who would have known Hello Kitty would be nestled so nicely in this cute café, ready to greet you on your way to Himeji Castle!

The island of Shikoku may be small, but who would've guessed it once contained 16 amazing castles, all in various shapes and forms!

These castles may not have keeps, but many of them are much older than any of Japan's so-called "original construction" castles.

Like a phoenix rising from the flames, so too have these restored beauties come back to life to prosper again on our list of the best reconstructed castles across Japan.

While Japan is home to over 300 castles, there are only 12 that still retain their original castle keep. These 12 so-called 'original construction' castles are the cream of the crop.

The circuit around the Tokyo Imperial Palace is almost exactly 5 kilometers long, making it an excellent running course with a spectacular view.