Fukushima > Aizuwakamatsu Castle (会津若松城): The Red-Tiled Fortress Tourists Skip
Aizuwakamatsu Castle (会津若松城), or Tsuruga Castle (鶴ヶ城), in Fukushima boasts a red-tiled tenshu and samurai history. A hidden gem with no crowds!
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No Tourists Japan
Traveling Japan Without Tourists
Castles
Find here the most beautiful and hidden castles in Japan.
Shizuoka > Ishiwaki Castle (石脇城): The Fuji-View Castle Ruins You’ll Have Alone
Lost near Mount Fuji in Shizuoka, Ishiwaki Castle (石脇城) offers Shinkansen and sea views from its quiet summit. A forgotten Sengoku relic with no crowds, it’s a castle hunter’s dream.
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Tottori > Kawahara Castle (河原城): A Rebuilt Fortress Overlooking the Sendai River
Perched above the Sendai River, Kawahara Castle (河原城) in Tottori Prefecture reveals Japan’s feudal past with a modern twist. This reconstructed hilltop gem offers uncrowded views and a quiet escape—perfect for history buffs seeking solitude beyond the usual tourist traps.
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Gifu > Gifu Castle (岐阜城): The castle on the top of the mountain.
Gifu Castle (Gifu-jō, 岐阜城) is one of Japan’s most iconic castles, known both for its imposing location atop Mount Kinka (Kinka-san, 金華山) and for its rich history. Situated 329 metres above sea level, this castle offers spectacular views that encompass not only the city of Gifu, but also distant Nagoya (名古屋) and, on clear days, the mountains of the Japanese Alps.
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Fukui > Echizen Onojo (越前大野城): The Castle in the Clouds
In the mountainous region of Fukui Prefecture (福井県), Echizen Onojo Castle (越前大野城) surrounded by the stunning scenery of the Ono Valley, is famous for a unique phenomenon that transforms it into the “Castle in the Clouds” (天空の城).
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Yamaguchi > Hagi Castle (萩城跡): A historic gem in Yamaguchi
Hagi (萩城), a city with deep historical significance in Japan, is home to the ruins of Hagi-jō Castle (萩城跡), a castle that was built in 1604 by Mōri Terumoto (毛利輝元), the former feudal lord of the Chōshū Domain. Strategically located at the foot of Mount Shizuki, this castle offers a glimpse into the past and is one of the most iconic landmarks in the region.
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Shiga > Azuchi Castle (安土城): Nobunaga’s legacy
Azuchi-jō Castle (安土城) is a place steeped in history and mystery. Built in 1579 by the legendary feudal lord Oda Nobunaga (織田信長), this castle marked a new era in Japanese architecture.
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