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Key Castle Vocabulary
Don't know a 'tenshu' from a 'hori'? We're here to help!
Don't know a 'tenshu' from a 'hori'? We're here to help!
Hokkaido has only one castle; the rest of its fortifications are actually relatively modern forts. And in the late 1860s, they were the site of the last hurrah of the Tokugawa Shogunate.
What do you do once you've seen the big attraction and still want more castle action? We've got nine answers right here!
Spared many of the fierce territorial battles of the Warring States Period, the castles of northeastern Japan are a little different from those you'll find to the south and west.
Called 'sanmeijo' in Japanese, the three castles on this list have been chosen based on their significance to history and culture, as well as their scale and grandeur.
Prior to the Warring States Period (1467-1590), most castles in Japan were 'yamajiro,' or mountain castles, and they were the pinnacle of defense for Japan's clashing warlords. Trek into the countryside to find out more about them!
Inuyama Castle is a National Treasure, and one of the oldest original castles still standing in Japan.
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!