An historic journey through Japan's most incredible castles - Visiting Japan without seeing at least one of its famous castles is almost the same as not visiting at all! These incredible constructions date back to the Medieval period and have stood defiant through civil wars, world wars, and other attacks. 

Beautiful relics of Japan's past, these castles also boast museums, stunning gardens and spectacular scenery. Join us on a journey to visit the most incredible ones!

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A bit of history - Let's start with a bit of history behind these stunning ancient castles.

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First constructions - According to historians, the first castles in Japan were built in the 14th century.

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High up - The majority of them are built high up in the mountains.

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Reasons - This is because the majority of the castles were built in the Medieval period, and served as fortresses.

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Strategic position - Castles were also built for keeping watch over ports or roads.

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Names - Most castles were named after the cities in which they were built.

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Diversity - Across Japan there are a whole range of stunning castles to be discovered, including ruins, original structures, or redesigned ones.

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Preservation - A lot of these old buildings now house museums where ancient relics are preserved.

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Legislation - Japanese law is extremely strict when it comes to preserving national relics.

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Tour - Now you've learnt a little Japanese history, we're going to take you on a tour to visit some of the countries most incredible castles!

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Himeji Castle - Himeji Castle is located in the Kansai region of Japan, and was built in 1346.

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Himeji Castle - The castle was originally built as a wooden fort, meaning that it's full of winding alleyways, which aimed to prevent invaders from reaching their destination.

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Himeji Castle - During the Second World War, the castle was struck by two bombing raids, but luckily no lasting damage was sustained.

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Himeji Castle - Locals recommend visiting the castle during the flowering season of the Sakura tree, which produces sweet cherry blossom and transforms the landscape into a magical scene.

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Matsumoto Castle - This is Matsumoto castle. The breath-taking construction is a prized Japanese national treasure.

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Matsumoto Castle - It was built in the city of Matsumoto in the 14th century.

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Matsumoto Castle - The castle differs from other similar constructions in that it was not built high up in the mountains.

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Matsumoto Castle - Winter is a great time to visit this place, as the snow adds great beauty to the castle.

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Osaka Castle - It's nothing short of incredible that Osaka castle still stands today.

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Osaka Castle - Built in 1583, the castle was destroyed twice in the following century.

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Osaka Castle - It was destroyed by a clan the first time, then struck by lightening the second. Later it was also subject to attacks in the Second World War.

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Osaka Castle - But the good news is that it survived all these atrocities, and today stands as one of Japan's biggest tourist attractions.

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Okayama Castle - The beauty of Okayama castle stars with its golden roof tiles.

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Okayama Castle - The castle was originally built in 1597, but had to be rebuilt in 1966 after it was destroyed in the Second World War.

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Okayama Castle - This means the structure has a unique blend of old and new which has to be seen to be believed!

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Okayama Castle - Okayama castle is also a museum which puts on several exhibitions throughout the year.

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Nagoya Castle - Nagoya castle is one of Japan's most important historical structures.

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Nagoya Castle - Visiting the castle today, you'd never believe that it was once a prison and army barracks.

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Nagoya Castle - An aerial attack during the Second World War sadly destroyed the castle and many objects inside it.

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Nagoya Castle - The interiors of the castle are now home to a museum.

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Kumamoto Castle - Kumamoto castle is one of the three most important castles in Japan.

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Kumamoto Castle - However, this is not the castle's original structure.

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Kumamoto Castle - The original castle was actually destroyed during a civil war in the 19th century.

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Kumamoto Castle - But it has been redesigned so cleverly that visitors believe that they are in the original building.

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Matsue Castle - Matsue castle is unique for its wooden structure, which it has been able to maintain up to the present day.

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Matsue Castle - Built between 1607 and 1611, it is the sixth oldest castle in Japan.

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Matsue Castle - It is also the second largest Japanese castle.

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Matsue Castle - The color of its walls draw a stunning contrast with the surrounding gardens.

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Tsuruga Castle - Tsuruga castle wasn't always known by that name. Some say that when it was built in 1384 it was called Kurokawa.

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Tsuruga Castle - In the 19th century, however, its structure was badly damaged during a civil war.

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Tsuruga Castle - But at the beginning of the 1900s the castle underwent restoration.

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Tsuruga Castle - Today you can visit the castle, museum, and it's gorgeous gardens.

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Hiroshima Castle - Hiroshima castle came to a sad end with the dropping of the atomic bomb on the city during the Second World War.

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Hiroshima Castle - It was completely wiped out, along with huge swathes of the city's population.

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Hiroshima Castle - Over 10 years after the end of the war, the castle was miraculously rebuilt, remaining faithful to its original construction.

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Hiroshima Castle - Here there is something to suit any visitor, whether it's relaxing in the garden, marveling at spectacular views from the tower, or visiting the museum inside.

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Matsuyama Castle - Just traveling to Matsuyama castle gives your eyes a feast! It's located in the exquisitely beautiful Shiroyama Park.

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Matsuyama Castle - The structure has three floors and a museum with Samurai weapons and armor.

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Matsuyama Castle - If you love mysteries, then this castle has many more exciting features beyond the museum.

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Matsuyama Castle - It has crafty measures of defense against its enemies, including secret tunnels and rooms.

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Inuyama Castle - Close to the city of Nagoya is Inuyama castle.

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Inuyama Castle - The castle is rare for having avoided damage through various periods of war and conflict.

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Inuyama Castle - It has been considered a Japanese National Treasure during its history.

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Inuyama Castle - Curiously, two of its four floors are underground.

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Hirosaki Castle - Hirosaki castle was built in the region of Tohoku, between the Iwaki and Tsuchibuchi rivers.

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Hirosaki Castle - It was built in 1611.

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Hirosaki Castle - The public park which surrounds Hirosaki castle is full of magical cherry trees: an estimated 2,500 of them!

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Hirosaki Castle - It's no coincidence that the traditional Hanami festival happens here, which centers around admiring the beauty of the cherry blossom.

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Japanese castles - Have you decided which of the Japanese castles you'd like to visit yet? A beautiful journey awaits you, whichever one you choose!

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