Whether you’re a fan of Japanese history or just want to expand your horizons, Japanese castles are the perfect way to experience the country’s rich culture and traditions.

With both originals and reconstructions, there are about 200 castles in Japan, so which ones should be on your must-visit list? See our picks for the best castles in Japan to add to your itinerary of what to do in Japan!

Most Japanese castles fall into two categories. There are smaller, more defense-oriented castles that mostly date from before the 1600s. This is when Japan was made up of many states that were at war with each other. Then, there were larger castles that also acted as status symbols. These mostly date from the 1600s onwards, when Japan became unified.

Later, when the feudal era ended in the late 1800s, many Japanese castles were demolished as unwanted relics of the past. Others were also destroyed during World War II.

Only 12 castles remain with a surviving main keep (or main tower) from before the end of the feudal era. Luckily, many others have been rebuilt in the past few decades or are currently being reconstructed as Japan continues to work towards preserving key elements of history and culture today.

Himeji Castle dates back to the early 1600s and is one of the castles that still has its original keep. In fact, it’s one of the best-preserved feudal-era castles in Japan!

Himeji Castle is visually striking, with its pure white color that looks especially beautiful on a clear, sunny day. Thanks to this, it’s earned the nickname Hakuro-jō (White Heron Castle). Beside the castle is Koke-en Garden, where you can have tea and enjoy the landscape.

Many of the buildings that made up Matsuyama Castle were demolished at the end of the feudal era, as well as during World War II. However, the original keep, as well as some watchtowers and gates, are still standing.

Along with several reconstructed buildings, the castle is known for its grand exterior.. Inside are exhibits on the history of the surrounding Matsuyama City and the castle. You can also get a panoramic view of the city from the castle grounds. To access the castle, we recommend taking the ropeway, which will give you a beautiful view of the surrounding area.

Bitchu-Matsuyama Castle is the oldest surviving castle in Japan. It was originally built in the 1300s! It’s also the highest of all Japanese castles, standing at 1,410 feet (430 meters) above sea level.

Thanks to its mountaintop location, the castle is often shrouded in clouds and mist, particularly in fall and winter. This makes the castle look like it’s floating above the clouds, so it’s known as the Castle in the Sky.

This castle is from a time when castles were very defense-focused. The keep is relatively small (it has 2 stories) and hard to reach — you have to walk about 20 minutes past several circles of defense.

Tsuruga Castle is a reconstructed castle — the product of several decades of renovations since the 1960s. Despite not being an original castle, it’s very impressive, especially with its unique red roof tiles that are faithful to the original.

Inside is a museum about the castle’s history and samurai culture, as well as an observation gallery with a sweeping view of the city. There’s also a park with well-kept cherry blossom trees and a charming teahouse.

Nagoya Castle was once a huge castle complex but many of the buildings were destroyed or damaged in World War II. There have been ongoing repairs ever since. There are some really interesting structures, including a pair of connected keeps — unique among Japanese castles — and golden statues of shachihoko, beasts from Japanese mythology.

The very first of Japan’s castles to be designated a National Treasure, it was one of the largest castles in Japan and considered one of the best examples of Shoin architecture. The palace (Honmaru Goten was recently rebuilt and opened to the public, and the city is planning on next rebuilding the main keep in wood. This project is expected to to take until 2032.

Hikone Castle was built in the 1600s and is one of the oldest castles that is still mostly original. This includes the keep and most of the gates, inner walls, guard houses, and bridges. The keep has also been named a National Treasure and is known for its unique architecture that uses a blend of styles.

Combined with some reconstructions, Hikone Castle is one of the best castles in Japan and perhaps the most complete example of a historical Japanese castle! You can access Hikone Castle from Kyoto Station in about an hour via train, making it a great addition to your itinerary if you have some spare time while in the Kyoto area.

Kanazawa Castle burned down several times over the centuries and most of its current buildings are reconstructed. The work is ongoing and many important buildings are finished, including impressive gates and watchtowers. Sadly, the castle hasn’t had a keep since the early 1600s.

The castle grounds make up Kanazawa Park, which features a garden with a pond, making it a great, relaxing stop. Directly across from the castle gate is one of Japan’s best gardens, Kenroku-en, which is especially beautiful in the winter.

Toyama Castle is another rebuilt castle, having been destroyed at the end of the feudal age. It now houses the Toyama Municipal Folk Museum. You can see the history of the castle, its castle town, and the samurai culture that once thrived here. In fact, you can rent samurai costumes for photo ops. If you’re wondering what to do in Japan with kids, this kind of experience is great!

Across from the castle grounds is the Sato Memorial Art Museum. Here you’ll find paintings, ornaments, lacquerware, tea ceremony items, and more.