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Japanese Castles — A Backpacker’s Guide

Check out an interview with Julien Mentzer as he discusses how his book, 'Japanese Castles – A Backpacker’s Guide,' can help you discover all the castle treasures of Japan.

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!

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.

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.

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!

Gazing Across the Sea into Japan’s Past

Two castles peer out into the sea from Saga Prefecture’s picturesque coastal city of Karatsu.

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!

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!

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.

Inuyama Castle: King of the Hilltop

Inuyama Castle is a National Treasure, and one of the oldest original castles still standing in Japan.

4 Beautiful Castles Home to Terrible Ghosts

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

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.

Japan's 5 Greatest Castle Ruins

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

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.

How to Find the Remains of Zeze Castle

Many castles in Japan are easy to find, as they are official landmarks treasured by the country. However, there are also some hidden gems that are less frequently visited, but worth the venture if you know where to find them!

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!

Takeda Castle Appears to Float in the Sky

Want to see a real castle in the sky? Look no further than Hyogo.

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 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!

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!

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