From Himeji to Matsumoto: The Japanese Castles Foreign Tourists Can’t Stop Visiting

Top 10 Most Popular Japanese Castles Overall

Based on a massive amount of data, travelers from Asia (such as Taiwan, Thailand, Hong Kong, South Korea, and China) and those from Western regions (including the United States, Australia, and France) show both shared interests and clear differences when it comes to visiting Japanese castles.

Osaka Castle takes the top spot, making it the most visited castle among international travelers overall.

From second place onward, preferences begin to split. That said, Nijo Castle in Kyoto remains a consistent favorite for both groups, ranking within the top four thanks to its rich history and beautifully preserved palace interiors.

Himeji Castle in Hyogo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is also placed in the top five for both. Widely considered Japan’s most beautiful castle, it continues to attract visitors from around the world.

Nagoya Castle appears on both rankings as well, drawing attention with its iconic golden shachihoko—mythical tiger-headed carp ornaments placed on the roof ridges of castles, believed to protect against fire—and its expansive castle grounds.

Kumamoto Castle also makes the list for both groups, with its massive stone walls and imposing structure earning it a strong international reputation.

Asian Travelers Favor Seasonal Scenery and Easy Access

For travelers from Asia (including Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Thailand), seasonal beauty and convenient flight access tend to play a bigger role when choosing which castles to visit. In addition to the major castles mentioned above, the following spots are especially popular among Asian visitors.

Western Travelers Seek Samurai Culture and Slower Travel Routes

Travelers from Europe, North America, and Australia often look for a sense of “Old Japan,” with a strong interest in samurai history and traditional culture. Many also follow well-known travel routes, such as the popular Tokyo–Kyoto corridor, taking time to explore destinations along the way.

Travel Tip: How Much Time Should You Set Aside for a Castle Visit?

(Photo: LIVE JAPAN article a3000181)

Based on data from NAVITIME, there’s a clear link between a castle’s size and how long visitors tend to stay.

Leisure explorers: Larger sites such as Osaka Castle, Nagoya Castle, and Himeji Castle typically require more time to fully enjoy. Plan for around 1.5 to 2 hours.

Quick-stop visitors: At places like Edo Castle, Kanazawa Castle, or Hiroshima Castle, over 70% of visitors spend less than an hour, making them easy to fit into a city sightseeing itinerary.

Popular Japanese Castles: Which One Would You Visit First?

Here’s a quick look at the top three castles favored by Asian travelers. If you haven’t explored a Japanese castle yet but want to experience a more nostalgic side of Japan, choosing one of these as the focus of your trip is a great place to start.

Osaka Castle

(Photo: LIVE JAPAN article a2000008)

Osaka Castle sits right in the heart of the city, with convenient access from JR Osakajokoen Station, JR Morinomiya Station, and subway stops like Tenmabashi and Tanimachiyonchome. The grounds are expansive, and guided tours are a great way to explore the highlights efficiently.

Originally built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi on the former site of Ishiyama Honganji Temple, the castle was first known as “Osaka Castle” written with a different character for “saka.” During the early Meiji period, concerns over the character’s meaning led to the name being officially changed to its current form in 1870.

The castle seen today is not Hideyoshi’s original structure. That version was destroyed in 1615 during the Siege of Osaka. The Tokugawa shogunate later rebuilt the castle after burying the ruins and raising the ground level, creating the foundation for what stands today.

One of the most striking features is the massive stone walls and surrounding moats. The scale, stone selection, and construction techniques still reflect the era’s craftsmanship. Other highlights include the impressive gates, Hokoku Shrine dedicated to Hideyoshi, and the main keep, which offers panoramic views over the city.

Nagoya Castle

Nagoya Castle stands in the center of Nagoya, making it easy to reach via the Meijo Subway Line to Nagoyajo Station (formerly Shiyakusho Station). The grounds are spacious, and while the main keep is impressive, the restored Honmaru Palace is a must-see highlight.
The castle was ordered by Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1610 as a strategic base to guard against threats from Osaka. Around 20 feudal lords, including Kato Kiyomasa and Fukushima Masanori, were mobilized for its construction. The castle is famous for the pair of golden shachihoko—mythical tiger-headed carp ornaments believed to protect buildings from fire—mounted on the roof ridge of the main keep, earning it the nickname “Golden Castle.”
In 1945, the original structures were destroyed in World War II air raids. The current main keep was rebuilt in 1959 using reinforced concrete, but due to structural concerns, its interior is currently closed to visitors. In contrast, the Honmaru Palace was fully reconstructed over a decade and reopened in 2018, showcasing exquisite Kano school paintings and lavish decorative carvings.
When visiting, look out for the engraved marks on the stone walls. These were left by the feudal lords who supplied the stones, serving as a kind of signature. Other highlights include the scenic Ninomaru Garden, the surviving northwest turret from the Edo period, and the many golden shachihoko motifs found throughout the grounds, all reflecting the craftsmanship of the time.

Kumamoto Castle

Kumamoto Castle stands in the center of Kumamoto City and is often ranked alongside Nagoya Castle and Osaka Castle as one of Japan’s three great castles. Construction began in 1601 under Kato Kiyomasa, a renowned castle builder. The grounds were planted with ginkgo trees as an emergency food source, earning it the nickname “Ginkgo Castle.”
One of its most distinctive features is the steep, curved stone walls known as musha-gaeshi, designed to make climbing extremely difficult for attackers, including ninja. Another highlight is the Honmaru Palace, where the lavish Showa no Ma room stands out with its gold-leaf decorations and richly detailed wall paintings that reflect the power and prestige of feudal lords.
Although much of the castle was destroyed during the Satsuma Rebellion in 1877 and later damaged in the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes, the main keep was fully restored and reopened in 2021. Visitors can walk along the designated reconstruction viewing route to see ongoing restoration work up close, including the stone walls and the surviving Uto Turret, the only original Edo-period structure still standing.