
Castles, Gardens & Peach Boys—Oh My!
From Okayama Castle's rare black walls to the charms of Okayama Korakuen Garden, one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan, there's plenty to see and do in Okayama.

7 Incredible Events at Japanese Castles
The castles dotting Japan's landscape no longer host battles and political upheavals, but they're not boring relics. Many were the backdrop to some pretty unbelievable stories!

Top 6 Castles Around Tokyo
These six castles, all easily accessible from the Tokyo area, are more than enough to slake your thirst for the days of the samurai.

16 Splendid Shikoku Castles
The island of Shikoku may be small, but who would've guessed it once contained 16 amazing castles, all in various shapes and forms!
How to Ninja-Proof Your Castle
Ninja and other assassins were a serious problem for high-ranking officials and royalty back in the day. Here we take a look at how they managed to thwart these silent killers.
Gazing Across the Sea into Japan’s Past
Two castles peer out into the sea from Saga Prefecture’s picturesque coastal city of Karatsu.
Japan's Top 11 Reconstructed 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.
The 5 Castles of Okinawa
Okinawa's castles bear testament to the three kingdoms that fought to dominate the island chain in the 14th and 15th centuries.
Check Out this Cute Hello Kitty Café in Himeji
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!
Superfly Rocks Osaka Castle
Watch an amazing vocal performance of 'Beautiful' by Japanese rock act Superfly—with full 360-degree views at Osaka Castle's Nishinomaru Garden!
Japan's 12 Best Keepless Castles
These castles may not have keeps, but many of them are much older than any of Japan's so-called "original construction" castles.
Hakodate: Gateway to the Northern Island
Now connected to Japan's main island by Shinkansen, Hakodate offers a scenic waterfront, historic buildings, a star-shaped fort—and one of the three greatest night views in Japan!
Takeda Castle Appears to Float in the Sky
Want to see a real castle in the sky? Look no further than Hyogo.
Jogging the Tokyo Imperial Palace
The circuit around the Tokyo Imperial Palace is almost exactly 5 kilometers long, making it an excellent running course with a spectacular view.
5 Instagram-Worthy Castles for Every Season
Winter, spring, summer or fall, you'll fall in love with these sites, and snap a photo as you do!
List: Japan's 12 Original-Construction Castles
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.
7 Awesome Japanese Castles Made of Lego
While there have only been a few official Japanese-style Lego castles, brick fans have been more than happy to do the rest!
A Guided Tour of Chiba's 12 Castles
Forget Tokyo Disneyland—Chiba has a dozen castles and ruins waiting to be discovered!
Japan's 5 Greatest Castle Ruins
Just because these castles are ruined doesn't mean they aren't spectacular!
Amazing Aerial Video of Western Japan
Discover Western Japan as you have never seen it before from a breathtaking birds-eye view!