Himeji Castle (姫路城)

Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture

• Japan's largest and most visited castle, known as "White Heron Castle"
• One of Japan's first UNESCO World Heritage Sites (1993)

Matsumoto Castle (松本城)

Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture

• One of Japan's oldest wooden castles and original keeps
• Known as "Crow Castle" due to its black exterior

Osaka Castle (大阪城)

Osaka, Osaka Prefecture

• One of Japan's most famous landmarks
• Built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, one of Japan's great unifiers

Nijō Castle (二条城)

Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture

• UNESCO World Heritage site, famous for its ornate architecture
• Former residence of the Tokugawa shoguns

Kumamoto Castle (熊本城)

Kumamoto, Kumamoto Prefecture

• One of Japan's three premier castles
• Known for its impressive stone walls and 49 turrets

Hirosaki Castle (弘前城)

Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture

• Famous for cherry blossoms in spring
• Only castle in the Tohoku region with its original keep

Kanazawa Castle (金沢城)

Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture

• Known for its distinctive white walls and lead-tile roof
• Connected to the famous Kenroku-en Garden

Matsuyama Castle (松山城)

Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture

• One of Japan's few original castles built on a hill
• Has one of the most complex gate systems of any Japanese castle

Inuyama Castle (犬山城)

Inuyama, Aichi Prefecture

• One of only 12 original Japanese castle keeps
• Oldest castle donjon in Japan (built in 1537)

Hikone Castle (彦根城)

Hikone, Shiga Prefecture

• National Treasure of Japan
• One of only four castles designated as a National Treasure