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198 facts about Japanese castles, all checked

Every fact on this site in one place, each linked to its source. Our build checks each one against the source text; see the sources page. Where sources disagree you’ll find each one.

Jump to: Himeji Castle | Matsumoto Castle | Kumamoto Castle | Osaka Castle | Nagoya Castle | Japan’s original castles | Inuyama Castle | Hikone Castle | Matsue Castle | Hirosaki Castle | Bitchu Matsuyama Castle | The national curriculum in England

Himeji Castle

  1. 1 UNESCO calls Himeji-jo the finest surviving example of early 17th-century Japanese castle architecture. UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Himeji-jo
  2. 2 UNESCO’s short description says Himeji-jo has 83 buildings. UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Himeji-jo
  3. 3 UNESCO’s longer statement says the castle property covers 107 hectares and has 82 buildings. UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Himeji-jo
  4. 4 UNESCO calls it a masterpiece of construction in wood. UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Himeji-jo
  5. 5 Its white plastered earthen walls have earned it the name Shirasagi-jo, White Heron Castle. UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Himeji-jo
  6. 6 The castle was the centre of a feudal domain for almost three centuries, until 1868, when the Shogun fell. UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Himeji-jo
  7. 7 Himeji-jo stands on a hill summit in the middle of the Harima Plain. UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Himeji-jo
  8. 8 At its centre is the Tenshu-gun: the donjon, keeps and the structures that connect them. UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Himeji-jo
  9. 9 In 1882, fire destroyed the castle lord’s living quarters. UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Himeji-jo
  10. 10 Conservation projects at Himeji-jo have been carried out since 1934. UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Himeji-jo
  11. 11 The only modern intrusion is a reinforced concrete foundation raft, added because the soft ground was deforming the buildings. UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Himeji-jo
  12. 12 UNESCO names fire and earthquakes as the greatest risks to the castle. UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Himeji-jo
  13. 13 JNTO counts Himeji as one of Japan’s 12 remaining original castles. JNTO: Himeji Castle
  14. 14 JNTO says the present castle was completed in 1609, under the daimyo Ikeda Terumasa. JNTO: Himeji Castle
  15. 15 JNTO’s Himeji page says the first fortifications were built sometime in the 1400s. JNTO: Himeji Castle
  16. 16 JNTO says the castle has over 80 buildings, joined by winding paths like a maze. JNTO: Himeji Castle
  17. 17 JNTO’s Himeji page describes a seven-story keep, about 400 years old. JNTO: Himeji Castle
  18. 18 The same JNTO page also calls it the six-story main keep. JNTO: Himeji Castle
  19. 19 The floors of the keep get smaller as you climb, and the top floor has a small shrine. JNTO: Himeji Castle
  20. 20 There are more than 1,000 cherry trees in the castle grounds. JNTO: Himeji Castle
  21. 21 Only one of Himeji’s three original moats survives intact. JNTO: Himeji Castle
  22. 22 After a five-year project that began in 2010, the castle fully reopened on 27 March 2015. JNTO: Himeji Castle
  23. 23 JNTO says 74 structures at the castle are Important Cultural Assets of Japan. JNTO: Himeji Castle (UNESCO)
  24. 24 The thick white plaster resists fire and bullets. JNTO: Himeji Castle (UNESCO)
  25. 25 Himeji was spared from damage during the Second World War. JNTO: Himeji Castle (UNESCO)
  26. 26 JNTO’s World Heritage page says the castle was first established in 1346. JNTO: Himeji Castle (UNESCO)
  27. 27 Toyotomi Hideyoshi built a full-scale castle wall that became the base for today’s castle. JNTO: Himeji Castle (UNESCO)
  28. 28 JNTO’s World Heritage page gives Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s dates as 1536 to 1598. JNTO: Himeji Castle (UNESCO)
  29. 29 At the start of the Edo period the castle was renovated over nine years. JNTO: Himeji Castle (UNESCO)
  30. 30 Winding, maze-like passages were meant to confuse attackers and keep them from the keep. JNTO: Himeji Castle (UNESCO)
  31. 31 There were openings in the walls to shoot from, and windows for dropping big stones on attackers. JNTO: Himeji Castle (UNESCO)
  32. 32 A kitchen in the inner court was ready in case of a siege. JNTO: Himeji Castle (UNESCO)
  33. 33 The keep stands 32 metres high, on the top of Mt. Himeyama. JNTO: Himeji Castle (UNESCO)
  34. 34 JNTO’s leaflet says Himeji was registered as a World Cultural Heritage site in 1993. JNTO: Castles in Japan (Tourist Information Center leaflet, April 2024)

Matsumoto Castle

  1. 35 Matsumoto Castle is the oldest surviving castle with five stories outside but six floors inside. Matsumoto Castle official website: About Matsumoto Castle
  2. 36 Matsumoto Castle’s website says the towering castle was built in 1594. Matsumoto Castle official website: About Matsumoto Castle
  3. 37 It was nearly torn down in the Meiji era and was saved by local people. Matsumoto Castle official website: About Matsumoto Castle
  4. 38 There are five National Treasure buildings: the main keep, the small Inui keep, Watari Tower, Tatsumitsuke Tower and Tsukimi Tower. Matsumoto Castle official website: The Keep and Its Structure
  5. 39 The castle buildings were named National Treasures on 20 April 1936. Matsumoto Castle official website: The Keep and Its Structure
  6. 40 After the war they were named National Treasures again, on 29 March 1950, says the castle’s website. Matsumoto Castle official website: The Keep and Its Structure
  7. 41 The Japan Tourism Agency says Matsumoto was redesignated a National Treasure in 1952. Japan Tourism Agency: Key Features of Matsumoto Castle
  8. 42 Matsumoto is a flatland castle, built on flat ground 590 metres above sea level. Matsumoto Castle official website: The Keep and Its Structure
  9. 43 Samurai lived inside the triple moat, which made the defences stronger. Matsumoto Castle official website: The Keep and Its Structure
  10. 44 Matsumoto City’s view is that the Ishikawa father and son built the keep, the Inui keep and Watari Tower in 1593 to 1594. Matsumoto Castle official website: The Keep and Its Structure
  11. 45 The castle was built for war, with 115 gun and arrow slots. Matsumoto Castle official website: The Keep and Its Structure
  12. 46 There are 11 openings in the first-floor wall where guns could shoot downwards. Matsumoto Castle official website: The Keep and Its Structure
  13. 47 The walls on the first and second floors are about 29 centimetres thick. Matsumoto Castle official website: The Keep and Its Structure
  14. 48 The inner moat is 60 metres away, which matched the longest accurate range of a matchlock gun. Matsumoto Castle official website: The Keep and Its Structure
  15. 49 About 40 years later, in peaceful times, two towers were added with almost no defences. Matsumoto Castle official website: The Keep and Its Structure
  16. 50 The castle weighs about 1,000 tonnes and stands on soft ground. Matsumoto Castle official website: The Keep and Its Structure
  17. 51 Inside the stone base are hemlock logs, 5 metres long, that help carry the weight. Matsumoto Castle official website: The Keep and Its Structure
  18. 52 The Japan Tourism Agency says the foundation used 16 hemlock posts in a four-by-four grid. Japan Tourism Agency: Key Features of Matsumoto Castle
  19. 53 Under the moat, a raft of logs stops the stone wall sinking into the soil. Matsumoto Castle official website: The Keep and Its Structure
  20. 54 The stone walls of the keep have been repaired but not rebuilt since they were first stacked 400 years ago. Matsumoto Castle official website: The Keep and Its Structure
  21. 55 Matsumoto is the only castle in Japan where a “linked keep” and a “compound keep” can be seen together. Japan Tourism Agency: Key Features of Matsumoto Castle
  22. 56 The Japan Tourism Agency describes 115 loopholes and 11 ishi otoshi openings over the stone base. Japan Tourism Agency: Key Features of Matsumoto Castle
  23. 57 The inner moat is about 60 metres across: the furthest a matchlock would reliably pierce samurai armour. Japan Tourism Agency: Key Features of Matsumoto Castle
  24. 58 The Moon-Viewing Tower, with its vermilion-lacquered veranda, was designed for peaceful gatherings. Japan Tourism Agency: Key Features of Matsumoto Castle
  25. 59 Matsudaira Naomasa built the Southeast Wing and the Moon-Viewing Tower after 1633. Matsumoto Castle official website: History of Matsumoto Castle
  26. 60 The castle’s history begins in 1504, when Shimadachi Sadanaga built Fukashi Castle on the site. Matsumoto Castle official website: History of Matsumoto Castle
  27. 61 Ogasawara Sadayoshi took back the castle and gave the area a new name: Matsumoto. Matsumoto Castle official website: History of Matsumoto Castle
  28. 62 In the Edo period, 23 lords from six families ruled Matsumoto Castle. Matsumoto Castle official website: History of Matsumoto Castle
  29. 63 In 1727 the Honmaru Goten palace burnt down. Matsumoto Castle official website: History of Matsumoto Castle
  30. 64 In 1854 a powerful earthquake damaged many buildings at the castle and in the town. Matsumoto Castle official website: History of Matsumoto Castle
  31. 65 In autumn 1870, ordinary citizens were allowed through the castle gates for the first time. Matsumoto Castle official website: History of Matsumoto Castle
  32. 66 Matsumoto Middle School stood in the castle’s second bailey until 1935. Matsumoto Castle official website: History of Matsumoto Castle
  33. 67 To raise money, a local society charged visitors to enter the Great Keep. Matsumoto Castle official website: History of Matsumoto Castle
  34. 68 From 1876 the moats were filled in bit by bit; in 1997 work began to restore part of the outer moat. Matsumoto Castle official website: History of Matsumoto Castle
  35. 69 Matsumoto Castle was named a National Historic Site in 1930. Matsumoto Castle official website: History of Matsumoto Castle
  36. 70 Matsumoto Castle is said to be one of the castles built to surround and watch Edo Castle, Tokugawa Ieyasu’s base. Japan Tourism Agency: Key Features of Matsumoto Castle

Kumamoto Castle

  1. 71 Kumamoto Castle as we see it was completed in 1607 by Kato Kiyomasa, its first daimyo. Kumamoto Castle official website: History
  2. 72 Kato Kiyomasa lived from 1562 to 1611 and arrived in Higo Province at the age of 27. Kumamoto Castle official website: History
  3. 73 Local people still call him “Seishoko-san”. Kumamoto Castle official website: History
  4. 74 The swordsman Miyamoto Musashi, author of The Book of Five Rings, spent his last years in Kumamoto. Kumamoto Castle official website: History
  5. 75 In 1640, Hosokawa Tadatoshi invited Musashi to Kumamoto and gave him a home. Kumamoto Castle official website: History
  6. 76 In 1877 the castle withstood a fifty-day siege: 3,500 soldiers inside against a Satsuma army of 13,000. Kumamoto Castle official website: History
  7. 77 In 1877 the main tower and the Honmaru Goten palace burnt down; the cause is still not known. Kumamoto Castle official website: History
  8. 78 In 1960 the castle towers were rebuilt in steel-framed reinforced concrete, paid for by Kumamoto citizens. Kumamoto Castle official website: History
  9. 79 The rebuilt towers copied early Meiji photographs, down to the number of roof tiles. Kumamoto Castle official website: History
  10. 80 The 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake damaged the castle. Kumamoto Castle official website: History
  11. 81 The main tower was fully restored by March 2021, as a symbol of recovery. Kumamoto Castle official website: History
  12. 82 Kumamoto’s curved stone walls are called musha-gaeshi, roughly “warrior repellent”: the higher you climb, the steeper they get. Kumamoto Castle official website: History
  13. 83 The castle’s website says even nimble ninjas failed to climb the walls. Kumamoto Castle official website: History
  14. 84 Kumamoto’s nickname is Ginnan-jo, “ginkgo castle”, after a ginkgo tree said to be planted by Kato Kiyomasa. Kumamoto Castle official website: History
  15. 85 The ginkgo burnt in the 1877 fire; today’s tree grew from a seedling planted afterwards. Kumamoto Castle official website: History
  16. 86 The castle once had 49 yagura turrets, 18 turret gates and 29 gates. Kumamoto Castle official website: History
  17. 87 The grounds covered about 980,000 square metres, with a boundary of about 5.3 kilometres. Kumamoto Castle official website: History
  18. 88 Thirteen towers, including Uto-Yagura, survive in their original form. Kumamoto Castle official website: History
  19. 89 For the castle’s 400th anniversary in 2007, the Honmaru Goten Great Hall was rebuilt. Kumamoto Castle official website: History
  20. 90 Obake-no-Kinta, a Kumamoto toy whose eyes roll and tongue sticks out, is said to be modelled on a joking foot soldier named Kinta. Kumamoto Castle official website: History
  21. 91 Kumamoto Castle’s history page gives Tokugawa Ieyasu’s dates as 1534 to 1616. Kumamoto Castle official website: History
  22. 92 The main tower looks like 3 levels from outside, but has 6 floors and a basement. Kumamoto Castle official website: About Kumamoto Castle
  23. 93 Rooms in the tower are still named for the weapons once kept there: the gun room, the armour room and the arrow room. Kumamoto Castle official website: About Kumamoto Castle
  24. 94 Iron spikes called shinobi-gaeshi once topped the stone wall of the small tower. Kumamoto Castle official website: About Kumamoto Castle
  25. 95 In the 2016 earthquake, tiles and the shachihoko, a half-tiger, half-fish roof ornament, fell from the top of the castle. Kumamoto Castle official website: About Kumamoto Castle
  26. 96 Under the Honmaru Goten palace is the Kuragari-Tsuro, a dark stone passage, and the palace’s official entrance is underground. Kumamoto Castle official website: About Kumamoto Castle
  27. 97 Uto-Yagura has 3 tiers, 5 storeys and a basement, and is called the Third Tower. Kumamoto Castle official website: About Kumamoto Castle
  28. 98 Akazu-no-mon, the north-east gate, was not usually opened: in Japanese culture the north-east was thought unlucky. Kumamoto Castle official website: About Kumamoto Castle
  29. 99 The Nagabei Long Wall runs in a straight 242-metre line along the Tsuboi River. Kumamoto Castle official website: About Kumamoto Castle
  30. 100 In 2016 the stone wall under one turret crumbled, but its corner stones held it up: the “miracle stone pillar”. Kumamoto Castle official website: About Kumamoto Castle
  31. 101 JNTO says almost a third of Kumamoto’s castle walls were damaged in 2016, and 10 percent collapsed completely. JNTO: Kumamoto Castle
  32. 102 JNTO says the restoration was estimated to take twenty years, putting each boulder back in the right order. JNTO: Kumamoto Castle
  33. 103 JNTO says the Ideta clan laid the first foundations of the castle in 1467. JNTO: Kumamoto Castle
  34. 104 JNTO says a decade of restorations finished in 2008. JNTO: Kumamoto Castle
  35. 105 JNTO says the Hosokawa clan took charge in 1632 and ruled for more than 200 years. JNTO: Kumamoto Castle
  36. 106 JNTO describes Kumamoto’s imposing black outside and steep ramparts. JNTO: Kumamoto Castle

Osaka Castle

  1. 107 Toyotomi Hideyoshi began building Osaka Castle in 1583, on the site of the Ishiyama Honganji temple. Osaka Castle Museum: English leaflet (April 2019)
  2. 108 After Hideyoshi’s death, the castle fell in the Summer War in Osaka in 1615. Osaka Castle Museum: English leaflet (April 2019)
  3. 109 Rebuilding began in 1620, on the orders of the second shogun, Hidetada, and took 10 years. Osaka Castle Museum: English leaflet (April 2019)
  4. 110 In 1665 the main tower was destroyed by lightning. Osaka Castle Museum: English leaflet (April 2019)
  5. 111 In 1931, public efforts brought about the rebuilding of the main tower. Osaka Castle Museum: English leaflet (April 2019)
  6. 112 The main tower became a Registered Cultural Property of Japan in 1997. Osaka Castle Museum: English leaflet (April 2019)
  7. 113 The Japan Tourism Agency says today’s tower, built in 1931, is the third main tower on the site. Japan Tourism Agency: Osaka Castle Main Tower
  8. 114 Hideyoshi’s first tower was decorated with gilded tiles. Japan Tourism Agency: Osaka Castle Main Tower
  9. 115 Hideyoshi’s tower stood for just 30 years before it was burnt down in 1615. Japan Tourism Agency: Osaka Castle Main Tower
  10. 116 The second tower was finished in 1626 and burnt down after a lightning strike in 1665. Japan Tourism Agency: Osaka Castle Main Tower
  11. 117 After that, Osaka Castle stood without a main tower for more than two and a half centuries. Japan Tourism Agency: Osaka Castle Main Tower
  12. 118 The 1931 tower was paid for by public donations. Japan Tourism Agency: Osaka Castle Main Tower
  13. 119 The tower is 58 metres tall and made of steel and concrete, on the old stone base. Japan Tourism Agency: Osaka Castle Main Tower
  14. 120 From outside it looks like five storeys, but inside there are eight floors, including a basement. Japan Tourism Agency: Osaka Castle Main Tower
  15. 121 The Japan Tourism Agency gives Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s dates as 1537 to 1598. Japan Tourism Agency: Osaka Castle Main Tower
  16. 122 JNTO says Hideyoshi is known as the “Napoleon of Japan”. JNTO: Osaka Castle
  17. 123 The tower houses a museum with over 10,000 historical objects. JNTO: Osaka Castle
  18. 124 Osaka Castle is surrounded by 106 hectares of park. JNTO: Osaka Castle

Nagoya Castle

  1. 125 Building began on Nagoya Castle in 1610, for Tokugawa Ieyasu’s ninth son, Yoshinao. Nagoya Castle official website: History
  2. 126 The tower keeps and watchtowers were completed in 1612. Nagoya Castle official website: History
  3. 127 The people of Kiyosu were moved to the new castle town of Nagoya, which was complete by 1613. Nagoya Castle official website: History
  4. 128 The Hommaru Palace was completed in 1615. Nagoya Castle official website: History
  5. 129 In 1930 the tower keeps, the Hommaru Palace and 24 structures were named National Treasures. Nagoya Castle official website: History
  6. 130 Nagoya Castle was destroyed by firebombing in an air raid in 1945. Nagoya Castle official website: History
  7. 131 The castle towers were rebuilt in 1959. Nagoya Castle official website: History
  8. 132 Work to restore the Hommaru Palace began in 2009 and finished in 2018. Nagoya Castle official website: History
  9. 133 Nagoya’s great keep had the greatest floor space of any keep ever, says the castle’s website. Nagoya Castle official website: Nagoya Castle
  10. 134 The keep is topped with golden shachihoko: tiger-fish roof ornaments. Nagoya Castle official website: Nagoya Castle
  11. 135 The golden ornaments were restored in 1959. The male one is 2.621 metres tall and weighs 1,272 kg; the female is 2.579 metres and 1,215 kg. Nagoya Castle official website: Nagoya Castle
  12. 136 The scales of both golden ornaments are covered in 18 carat gold. Nagoya Castle official website: Nagoya Castle
  13. 137 The wall stones carry the marks of the 20 daimyo who were ordered to build the castle. Nagoya Castle official website: Nagoya Castle
  14. 138 The largest stone is called the Kiyomasa Stone; legend says Kato Kiyomasa brought it to Nagoya. Nagoya Castle official website: Nagoya Castle
  15. 139 The corner watchtowers have ishi-otoshi: stone-dropping chutes above the walls. Nagoya Castle official website: Nagoya Castle
  16. 140 The south-west corner watchtower looks two storeys high from outside but has three floors. Nagoya Castle official website: Nagoya Castle
  17. 141 Many of the palace’s painted panels were stored in the Nogi-soko storehouse during the war, and so were saved. Nagoya Castle official website: Nagoya Castle
  18. 142 Nagoya Castle’s kaya tree is believed to be over 600 years old. Nagoya Castle official website: Nagoya Castle
  19. 143 Oda Nobunaga lived in an older castle on the site until 1555. Nagoya Castle official website: Nagoya Castle
  20. 144 Nagoya’s keep was the first castle to be named a National Treasure, in 1930, says the castle’s website. Nagoya Castle official website: Tower Keep Restoration
  21. 145 In 1952 Nagoya Castle was named a Special National Historic Site. Nagoya Castle official website: Tower Keep Restoration
  22. 146 After 60 years, the 1959 concrete keeps were closed because of ageing and earthquake-resistance problems. Nagoya Castle official website: Tower Keep Restoration
  23. 147 Nagoya City is planning to rebuild the tower keeps; its website describes a wooden restoration project. Nagoya Castle official website: Tower Keep Restoration
  24. 148 The palace rebuild drew on 1,047 surviving Edo-period sliding doors, screens and panels, 309 drawings and 700 photographs. Nagoya Castle official website: About the Hommaru Palace
  25. 149 The Hommaru Palace has 13 buildings with over 30 rooms, covering 3,100 square metres. Nagoya Castle official website: About the Hommaru Palace
  26. 150 The lord’s audience room sits higher than the other rooms, as a show of authority. Nagoya Castle official website: About the Hommaru Palace
  27. 151 Another Nagoya Castle page gives the Edo period as 1603 to 1868. Nagoya Castle official website: Nagoya Castle
  28. 152 Nagoya Castle’s palace page gives the Edo period as 1603 to 1867. Nagoya Castle official website: About the Hommaru Palace

Japan’s original castles

  1. 153 JNTO says almost all Japan’s castles were taken down after 1868, when samurai rule ended, or lost in the Second World War. JNTO: Discover Japan’s Twelve Original Castles
  2. 154 Many castles you see in Japan today are modern replicas. JNTO: Discover Japan’s Twelve Original Castles
  3. 155 JNTO lists twelve still-standing original castles. JNTO: Discover Japan’s Twelve Original Castles
  4. 156 Five castles have original main keeps that are National Treasures: Himeji, Inuyama, Matsue, Matsumoto and Hikone. JNTO: Discover Japan’s Twelve Original Castles
  5. 157 JNTO’s list says Matsumoto’s main tower is said to be the oldest surviving castle tower in Japan. JNTO: Discover Japan’s Twelve Original Castles
  6. 158 Maruoka Castle, the “mist castle”, was levelled by the Fukui earthquake of 1948 and put back together using eighty percent of its original materials. JNTO: Discover Japan’s Twelve Original Castles
  7. 159 JNTO calls Maruoka a contender for having one of the oldest keeps. JNTO: Discover Japan’s Twelve Original Castles
  8. 160 JNTO says the Bitchu Matsuyama complex dates back to 1240. JNTO: Discover Japan’s Twelve Original Castles
  9. 161 Marugame Castle’s history dates back to 1587. JNTO: Discover Japan’s Twelve Original Castles
  10. 162 JNTO says Kochi Castle served as the home of the region’s lord, rather than being only for war. JNTO: Discover Japan’s Twelve Original Castles
  11. 163 Uwajima Castle was ruled by the Date clan, whose history in Uwajima spans 400 years. JNTO: Discover Japan’s Twelve Original Castles
  12. 164 Matsuyama Castle sits on top of Mt. Katsuyama and can be reached by ropeway, chairlift or on foot. JNTO: Discover Japan’s Twelve Original Castles
  13. 165 Hikone Castle never saw a real battle. JNTO: Discover Japan’s Twelve Original Castles
  14. 166 Until 2004, Inuyama was the only privately owned castle in Japan. JNTO: Discover Japan’s Twelve Original Castles
  15. 167 JNTO says Hirosaki Castle was first built in 1611 by Nobuhira of the Tsugaru clan. JNTO: Discover Japan’s Twelve Original Castles
  16. 168 Matsue is the second largest of Japan’s original castles, and the only one left in the San’in region. JNTO: Discover Japan’s Twelve Original Castles
  17. 169 JNTO’s leaflet says Kochi Castle’s tower was rebuilt in 1749, after a fire. JNTO: Castles in Japan (Tourist Information Center leaflet, April 2024)

Inuyama Castle

  1. 170 JNTO’s Inuyama page says Inuyama is said to have the oldest existing castle tower. JNTO: Inuyama Castle
  2. 171 Inuyama was given back to its original owners in 1895, on condition that they repair damage from an 1891 earthquake. JNTO: Inuyama Castle
  3. 172 Inuyama Castle looks out over the Kiso River. JNTO: Inuyama Castle
  4. 173 JNTO’s leaflet says Inuyama Castle was built in 1537. JNTO: Castles in Japan (Tourist Information Center leaflet, April 2024)
  5. 174 The Inuyama Festival began in 1635 and has floats 10 metres tall. JNTO: Inuyama Castle

Hikone Castle

  1. 175 Hikone Castle took 20 years to complete, and has stood for 400 years without significant damage. JNTO: Hikone Castle
  2. 176 Hikone was home to the Ii family of lords from 1622 until the feudal era ended in 1867. JNTO: Hikone Castle
  3. 177 Hikone has a spiral ramp to the entrance that made attackers easy targets, and hidden openings for archers. JNTO: Hikone Castle
  4. 178 Hikone looks out over Lake Biwa, Japan’s largest lake. JNTO: Hikone Castle
  5. 179 A bell at Hikone is registered as one of the 100 most impressive soundscapes in Japan. JNTO: Hikone Castle

Matsue Castle

  1. 180 Matsue is also called the Plover Castle, because of its shape and black outside. JNTO: Matsue Castle
  2. 181 Matsue Castle was finished in 1611. JNTO: Matsue Castle
  3. 182 Matsue has the only surviving castle keep with a well inside. JNTO: Matsue Castle
  4. 183 Matsue’s seventh lord, Matsudaira Harusato, made Matsue one of the three great centres of the tea ceremony. JNTO: Matsue Castle
  5. 184 JNTO’s leaflet says Matsue was built in 1611 and named a National Treasure in 2015. JNTO: Castles in Japan (Tourist Information Center leaflet, April 2024)
  6. 185 JNTO’s Matsue page gives Tokugawa Ieyasu’s dates as 1543 to 1616. JNTO: Matsue Castle

Hirosaki Castle

  1. 186 Hirosaki’s keep was first a five-storey tower; it was struck by lightning and burnt down in 1627. JNTO: Hirosaki Castle
  2. 187 The keep standing today was rebuilt in 1811 as a three-storey tower. JNTO: Hirosaki Castle
  3. 188 In Tohoku, Hirosaki is the only castle that was built during the Edo period, says JNTO. JNTO: Hirosaki Castle
  4. 189 Hirosaki’s grounds have about 2,600 cherry trees. JNTO: Hirosaki Castle
  5. 190 Hirosaki Castle is built on a flat plain, unlike many castles on high ground. JNTO: Hirosaki Castle

Bitchu Matsuyama Castle

  1. 191 Bitchu Matsuyama is called the “Mountain Castle in the Sky”, because it seems to float above the clouds. JNTO: Bitchu Matsuyama Castle
  2. 192 Bitchu Matsuyama’s buildings were in disrepair for many years and were restored by the local community. JNTO: Bitchu Matsuyama Castle
  3. 193 Bitchu Matsuyama stands on a 430-metre mountaintop, the highest fortress in Japan with a surviving castle tower. JNTO: Castles in Japan (Tourist Information Center leaflet, April 2024)
  4. 194 Groups of Japanese macaques gather at the foot of the mountain. JNTO: Bitchu Matsuyama Castle

The national curriculum in England

  1. 195 At KS2, the non-European society is one study chosen from early Islamic civilisation, Mayan civilisation or Benin; Japan is not one of the options. Department for Education: National curriculum in England, history programmes of study
  2. 196 At KS3, pupils should make at least one study of a significant society or issue in world history and its links with other world developments. Department for Education: National curriculum in England, history programmes of study
  3. 197 The KS3 examples are given “for example”: Mughal India 1526 to 1857, China’s Qing dynasty 1644 to 1911, changing Russian empires and the USA in the 20th century. Department for Education: National curriculum in England, history programmes of study
  4. 198 The curriculum names concepts such as continuity and change, cause and consequence, similarity, difference and significance. Department for Education: National curriculum in England, history programmes of study