These historic castles in Japan are a treat for eyes!

If you think only European castles are grand and exquisite, then you must visit Japan once solely to see the beautiful castles this small country hides in its heart! Steeped in history, the incredible castles in Japan are a treat to sore eyes. The castles of samurais and lords in Japan have tales of their own.

Check out our list of the most beautiful castles in Japan one must visit once in a lifetime.

The historic in Okinawa once served as the palace for the Ryukyu Kingdom. Dating back to 1429, it was the largest castle on the island. The bright crimson coloured Shuri Castle has a long history. In 1853, the castle was visited by the infamous Commodore Matthew Perry.

One of the classic examples of hirajiro (castles built on flat plains) castle, Shimabara in Nagasaki Prefecture is beautiful beyond words. It is situated close to Mount Unzen and Ariake Bay. The castle is noted for its deep moats. Today, the castle has transformed into a museum showcasing exhibits on local culture.

Another UNESCO World Heritage Site and a national treasure of Japan, Nijo Castle is a gorgeous single storey castle. Built in 1603, it’s a prominent tourist attraction in the country attracting visitors from across the globe. You’ll be stunned with the eye-catching architecture and wooden detailing.

The stunning castle is situated in the city of Nagoya in central Japan. It used to be an important castle town during the Edo period. The castle of Nagoya was built in the 17th century and the original castle was known as Yanagi-no-maru. During WWII, Nagoya Castle was used as a military headquarters and was severely damaged during air raids.

Located in Nagano Prefecture, this is Japan’s one of the historic castles which is also considered a national treasure. It is regarded as the Crow Castle, due to its black exterior. The grand castle was constructed back in the 16th century during the Sengoku period and it features a series of moats and gates.

Another beautiful castle in Japan, Hirosaki Castle was built by the Tsugaru clan in the 1600s. Unfortunately, the castle was destroyed 15 years later after being struck by a powerful lightning bolt. Nearly 200 years later, the castle was rebuilt and at present, the park surrounding the palace is a very famous cherry blossom spot in Japan! The park here is home to over 2000 cherry blossom trees that were planted centuries ago in the region.

Set on a hilltop, Himeji Castle premises in Hyogo Prefecture, consists of 83 buildings. But Himeji Castle, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the most impressive of all and is a perfect example of traditional Japanese castle architecture. The white architecture of the castle looks unique and super impressive. As far as history is concerned, the castle was built by the samurai warrior Akamatsu Norimura in 1333. The castle has stood on its ground since ages and miraculously survived the wrath of World War II (WWII) while its surrounding areas were destroyed completely during bombing.

The Hikone Castle is one of the significant historical buildings in the whole region. It was built during the Meiji Period in the late 1800s. This was the time when a number of Japanese castles were commissioned to be dismantled but somehow, Hikone Castle was saved. Today, it is considered a Japanese cultural asset.