Castles to visit Japan

Himeji Castle has been inscribed on the Unesco World Heritage List, since 1993, for "the most perfect expression of early 17th century castle architecture in Japan". It reopened to the public in March 2015, after five years of work, more resplendent than ever! Its strategic position of control of the western and southern provinces on the Sanyō-dō artery and its dominant position on the Harima plain gave Himeji decisive importance. It was in 1346 that Sadanori Akamatsu built a first castle, Himeyama. He entrusted the residence to the Kodera who stayed there until 1577. Hideyoshi took over the castle at this date and decided to embellish and enlarge it to make it his own residence between 1581 and 1585. Then he entrusted it to his brother-in-law Iesada Kinoshita (1543-1608). The latter had to get rid of it after the battle of Sekigahara, which brought together the armies of the Tokugawa and those of Toyotomi. It was Terumasa Ikeda, leader of one of the Tokugawa armies who inherited the custody of the castle. He continued its construction and added twenty castelets (yagura). It was inhabited by a number of prestigious families until 1868. The castle is sometimes called Shirasagi-jō ("of the Egret") because of its white color but also because of the cut of the roofs, or Hakuro-jō ("the castle of the White Heron"). Built on a hill, the castle is surrounded by a number of interlocking enclosures, the walls of which fall directly into the moat. Gates lead to a rather complicated system of courtyards where weapons rooms and stores for food and ammunition are located. Hishinomon (Diamond Gate) is one of the largest gates in Himeji Castle, extending from the second to the third wall. It preserves the architectural style of the Azuchi-Momoyama period. Sangokubori (Sangoku Ditch), is a ditch hidden by the Hishinomon Gate and embraces both the main and secondary passages of the second wall. The moated walls had openings (ishiotoshi, "stone fall") that were used to pour boiling oil on attackers, among other things. Its keeps and corridors, which connect the eight towers, are designated as a National Treasure. We appreciate the beauty of this castle that has remained unchanged since its construction, as well as the architectural prowess of the complex. The labyrinthine construction, combined with ingenious ideas, prevented enemies from reaching the main keep. From the top of the dungeon, the visitor can enjoy a panoramic view of the city. During the Second World War, the castle was saved from bombing by the inhabitants of the city who covered it with a large black sheet so that, seen from the sky, the bombers would have the impression of flying over a large lake.

Thebest way to discover the castle is to use the Himeji Castle Great Discovery application which offers additional information throughout the visit, thanks to the terminals installed in the four corners of the castle. To avoid the crowds, it is best to go early in the morning, allowing 2 to 3 hours for the visit. If you want to see the castle from a different angle, climb the steps of Otokoyama Haisuiike Park, not far from there. Many locals go there early in the morning to enjoy the castle at sunrise.

The castle dates from 1603. Ieyasu Tokugawa, then the new shōgun, had it built both to establish his authority, to emphasize the weakness of the emperor, and to have a place of residence during his stays in Kyoto. To accomplish this task, he did not skimp on architectural means and placed the construction under the direction of Enshū Kobori (1579-1647). The famous tea master and garden architect retrieved structural and ornamental elements from Fushimi Castle, located in the southeast of the city.
It is entered through the eastern gate which gives access to some gardens and the two enclosures, Honmaru and Ninomaru. The buildings of Ninomaru have been preserved in their original state. The visit leads us through the audience rooms with richly decorated doors and ceilings, and connected between them by corridors with nightingale floors.
A^second castle was built in the Honmaru, as well as a keep, but both buildings were destroyed by fire in the 18th century and never rebuilt. The current palace was moved after the fall of the shogunate in 1867. It is not regularly open to the public although one can walk in its gardens.
South of the castle, the Shinsen-en garden, with its shrine and pond, remains the only remnant of the original imperial palace burnt down in 1227.
Many varieties of cherry trees can be admired in the gardens, and it is a popular spot during the cherry blossom season in April. A visit at an early or late hour is a good way to avoid being overwhelmed by the crowds.

A must-see for anyone who stops in the city of Nagoya. Originally, a fortress stood on the site of the present castle. It was built by and for the Oda clan. Then Ieyasu Tokugawa built the famous Nagoya Castle for his 9th son, Yoshinao, in 1610, so that he could control the whole central part of Honshū and keep an eye on his opponents, who were still loyal to the Toyotomi. The Tokugawa of Owari remained in possession of the castle until the Meiji restoration. Located on the Tokaido road, it allowed to secure the access to Edo. In 1930, it became the property of the Nagoya municipality. It was bombed at the end of the Second World War in 1945 and rebuilt in 1959 with a reinforced concrete structure.

The foundations of the pre-war Hon Maru can be seen, some parts of which have been collected in the spared keep and now set up as a museum. One can admire the shachihoko (mythical orca-like animals) found on the roof ridge of the castle, and also the fusuma, the painted sliding doors, which are quite remarkable. The visit to Nagoya-jo is particularly spectacular and magical in spring when the cherry trees in the park are in bloom. The foundations of the castle are currently undergoing a restoration which should be completed soon, and which aims at restoring its authentic architecture. This long-term work does not alter the quality of the visit.

A film recounts the glory hours of the castle.

The construction of the White Castle, as it is called, dates back to the th century and returns to Yoshitake Shiba, who handed it over to the Oda clan. It is Japan's oldest castle. In 1584, Nobuteru Ikeda attacked her but had to abandon him because he was beaten by Ieyasu Tokugawa himself. From the th century, he belonged to the family of Des, the vassal of the lords of Nagoya. You can marvel at its strong foundations. It is the country's last private castle.