Browse all travel guides tagged with "Castle"
On Saturday, November 7, 2026, Shuri Castle Park in Naha, Okinawa hosts a karate demonstration celebrating the completion of the castle's main hall, with chanson and Ryukyuan dance stages, tile breaking, and free shuttle buses. Admission is free.
From December 18, 2026 to January 11, 2027, Hiroshima Castle hosts a free nighttime event with the first projection mapping on its main keep, plus projections on the Omotegomon Gate and stone walls and lighting around the grounds.
The full artwork lineup has been revealed for the third nighttime outdoor art exhibition at Fukuoka Castle Ruins in Maizuru Park, Fukuoka, running from October 30, 2026 to January 11, 2027. It is the first edition in seven years.
Tsuruga Castle Projection Mapping 2026 will be held from November 20 to 22 at Tsuruga Castle Park in Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima. Viewing is free with no advance registration, and the show combines imagery inspired by Aizu's traditional culture with a sea-of-clouds effect.
Since October 19, 2026, the 4th-floor pond garden at ESPACIO NAGOYA CASTLE has featured the fog landscape "Cloud Dragon," which changes with the time of day and weather against the backdrop of Nagoya Castle.
From October 15 to 25, 2026, the south face of Osaka Castle's main keep becomes the stage for SINFONIA, a six-minute projection mapping show by NAKED INC. marking 160 years of Japan-Italy diplomatic relations. Free admission, no advance registration required.
To mark the public opening of Shuri Castle's main hall on November 23, 2026, The Royal Park Hotel Iconic Naha serves limited menus at three restaurants from November 1 to 30, from a ¥3,850 breakfast buffet to ¥15,000 sushi and teppanyaki courses.
At SOCIAL CASTLE MARKET 2026 on October 10 and 11, PDAY's "Castle Photo Studio + Lab" booth lets visitors pose with Nagoya Castle's main keep and golden shachihoko behind them and turn the photo into a trading card or photo panel on the spot.
Kumamoto Castle Hall hosts a two-day castle event on October 3 and 4, 2026, with castle PR booths from across Japan, a Touken Ranbu ONLINE collaboration, a special exhibition on 400 years of Kumamoto Castle history, lectures, stage events, workshops, and original goods.
Tickets are now on sale for teamLab's nighttime outdoor art exhibition at the Fukuoka Castle Ruins in Maizuru Park, running from October 30, 2026 to January 11, 2027. It is the third edition and the first in seven years.
This autumn, Shizuoka City invites travelers to a refined 1-night, 2-day escape, from Sunpu Castle's Momijiyama Garden to the National Treasure Kunozan Toshogu Shrine, home to a reservation-only nighttime special viewing running September 19 to November 29, 2026.
Nagoya City is holding "Nagoya Castle Night Illumination — Be GOLD" this autumn, lighting up Nagoya Castle's keep, stone walls, and Ninomaru Garden in gold from September 19 to October 4 and October 18 to 24, 2026, inspired by the castle's golden shachihoko and gold leaf.
Produced by Hitohata, this free outdoor event projects digital art inspired by Aizu's traditional culture onto Tsurugajo Castle, paired with a new sea-of-clouds effect, over three nights from November 20 to 22, 2026 in Fukushima Prefecture.
The teamLab: Digitized Fukuoka Castle Ruins 2026-2027 executive committee, including Nishinippon Shimbun, is holding its third nighttime outdoor art exhibition at Fukuoka Castle Ruins in Maizuru Park, Fukuoka, for the first time in seven years, running from Friday, October 30, 2026 through Monday, January 11, 2027.
As Nijo Castle's art exhibition marks 400 years since the Kan'ei Gyoko, NAKED meets Nijo-jo Castle 2026 will offer free admission for junior high school students and under for the first time, plus a ¥500 discount for students and Kyoto City residents, when it runs October 23 to December 5, 2026.
Kobe no Tobira, the Kobe Tourism Bureau's platform for locally organized tourism programs, has begun selling four autumn tours that take visitors deep into Kobe's lesser-known history and culture, from a hot spring town and a mountain castle to a historic port district and a residence on track to become Japan's first National Treasure house.
Uruma City, Okinawa hosts the 38th All-Island Lion Dance Festival on October 10 and 11, featuring an eve festival lit by LED sky lanterns and a day of vibrant lion dance performances at the historic Katsuren Castle Ruins.
HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO is launching a guest-only program that pairs a stay overlooking Nijo Castle with a private after-hours tour of the World Heritage Site, offered as a token of thanks for a cultural heritage preservation donation, limited to four groups between October 2026 and March 2027.
NAKED, INC.'s experiential art exhibition NAKED meets Nijo Castle 2026 opens at the UNESCO World Heritage site from October 23 to December 5, 2026, marking 400 years since the Kan'ei Imperial Visit and exploring the aesthetics of Tokugawa Masako.
Hirosaki Castle in Aomori Prefecture is holding a tower-return event from August 21 to 28, 2026, moving its main tower back to its original position for the first time since 1915. Visitors can watch the historic move up close alongside a night show, inner moat viewing, and other special programs.
Enjyukaku Bekkan, a nationally registered cultural property inside Marugame Castle, is opening as a one-group-a-day private villa stay with optional cultural experiences. Reservations open August 1, 2026, with check-ins starting September 1, 2026.
Himeji Castle and アクリエひめじ will be illuminated in cyan on August 1, 2026, in observance of "Water Day," a day established under Japan's Basic Act on the Water Cycle to raise awareness of the importance of a healthy water cycle.
TV Aichi will air the Okazaki Castle Fireworks Festival live on August 1, 2026, with drone footage and coverage of the hand-held fireworks tradition on the hoko-bune boats, plus a simultaneous stream on Locipo.
Hotel New Otani Osaka's outdoor "THE BOTANICAL POOL -NIGHT POOL-" is open through September 23, 2026, offering illuminated poolside views of Osaka Castle along with new poolside burgers and a color-changing "Colorful Peach Fizz" drink.
Saitama City is recruiting around 55 participants for the 14th Iwatsuki Castle Town Falconry Procession, a historical parade on the old Nikko Onari Road reenacting Tokugawa Ieyasu's visits to Iwatsuki, to be held on November 3, 2026.
A new hotel brand series called "Kazeno Heritage" brings together stays in Japan's castles, historic estates, and heritage townscapes, with properties now open across the country — including a grand opening in Kurayoshi, Tottori, planned for July 2026.
The Kamioka Castle Sakuramori no Kai has resumed spring activities after a COVID-induced hiatus, working to bring back the 450 cherry trees that once adorned Kamioka Castle in Gifu Prefecture's Hida City — and new members are welcome.
The 76th Himeji Castle Festival takes place around Himeji Castle from May 22 to 24, 2026, featuring a torchlight Noh performance, historical parades, a new bon dance event, and kids' activities spanning three themed days.
Tokushima Castle Museum is holding a spring special exhibition tracing the 15-generation legacy of the Hachisuka clan, lords of Awa. On display through July 20, 2026, the exhibition features designated cultural properties and historical artworks highlighting the clan's martial traditions and guiding spirit.
Comfort Hotel Himeji and Comfort Hotel Wakayama have undergone renovations, incorporating local cultural design elements and enhanced guest facilities just in time for the spring tourism season.
Himeji Castle will host its annual night cherry blossom event from March 27 to April 5, 2026, featuring enchanting light shows throughout the Nishinomaru Garden and street piano performances.
The "Sekisui Castle Fresh Green Festival 2026" is scheduled to run from April 29 to May 24 at Gujo Hachiman Castle in Gifu Prefecture. Visitors can meet the actual castle lord, enjoy quiz battles, try on samurai armor, and take part in a variety of seasonal events celebrating the castle's lush spring greenery.
The 49th Iwatsuki Castle Ruins Park Cherry Blossom Festival takes place on Saturday, March 28, featuring koto performances, a flea market, food stalls, and free guided tours at one of Saitama's premier cherry blossom viewing spots.
A travel guide to the best things to do in Sendai — from Sendai Castle ruins and Zuihoden Mausoleum to gyutan beef tongue and zunda shakes. Includes Matsushima day trip, Akiu Onsen, seasonal festivals, and practical tips on access and getting around.
Castle Combiner Oshirobots adds its 23rd and 24th castle robots — Oshirobot Matsuyama Castle and Oshirobot Kōchi Castle — alongside booth appearances at Matsuyama Spring Festival and Kochi Anikuri Festival in April 2026.
Shuri Castle Park is set to host the "Spring Castle Festival 2026" over three days from March 20 to 22, 2026, featuring traditional performances, hands-on workshops, and guided tours for visitors of all ages.
Three restaurants at Hotel New Otani Osaka are offering limited-time menus inspired by the bond between Toyotomi Hideyoshi and his brother Hidenaga, available from March 1 through April 19, 2026.
Hiroshima Castle's tower, externally reconstructed in 1958, will close on March 22, 2026, due to aging. Special measures including numbered tickets for 4,000 visitors per day will be implemented during the final three days.
Kazeno Heritage will launch a cafe, party venue, and wedding business at Fukuyama Castle and Fukuju Kaikan, a registered tangible cultural property, starting April 2026.
The spectacular projection mapping event illuminating Matsumoto Castle has attracted over 100,000 visitors, featuring dynamic displays of cherry blossoms, Northern Alps flowers, traditional crafts, and historic artwork projected onto Japan's oldest five-story castle tower.
The 76th Himeji Castle Festival will feature the "Himeji Daimyo Procession," a historical reenactment of feudal lord processions. Applications are now open for participants to experience Edo-period customs.
Hirado Castle in Nagasaki Prefecture will debut Japan's first permanent castle sauna, the Hirado Castle Kaijuyagura CASTLE SAUNA, opening on November 1, 2025. This unique facility features a 4-person barrel sauna on the castle turret's terrace, offering panoramic ocean views and authentic Finnish sauna experiences.
The spectacular winter light show returns to Matsumoto Castle in Nagano Prefecture for the 2025-2026 season, featuring dynamic projection mapping on one of Japan's oldest surviving castles from December 13, 2025 to February 15, 2026.
A sightseeing boat service around Hiroshima Castle's moat begins operations on October 25, 2025. Enjoy views of the historic castle and its stone walls from the water during a 20-minute cruise.
Opening November 1st, 2025, Osaka Castle Illuminage returns with the theme "Toyotomi's Dream...Unification of the Realm." Experience a spectacular fusion of light, history, and culture at one of Japan's largest illumination events.
Spring in Kumamoto Prefecture is a captivating season where cherry blossoms bloom in full glory, allowing visitors to enjoy beautiful nature and culture. In this article, we will detail the characteristics and charms of Kumamoto in spring (March to May), must-visit cherry blossom spots, spring festivals and events, and spring gourmet delights. *Please note that […]
If you are planning to go sightseeing, you probably want to include things that can only be seen or experienced during that particular season in your itinerary. This time, we will introduce the conditions, events, and recommended spots in Okinawa in November for those who are considering such a trip. *Please note that the dates […]
Spring in Hyogo Prefecture is marked by warm weather and beautiful flowers. When the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, many tourist spots become bustling with activity, and you can also enjoy springtime gourmet treats. This guide introduces the features and attractions of spring in Hyogo Prefecture, cherry blossom and flower field spots, and spring […]
If you are going to go sightseeing, you want to incorporate into your itinerary things that you can only see and experience during that time of the year. In this issue, we will introduce the weather, conditions, events, and recommended spots in April in Hokkaido for those who are interested in such things. To learn […]
When traveling, you want to include experiences and sights that are unique to that specific time of year, right? This time, we will introduce the November events, recommended spots, and the overall situation in Nagano Prefecture for those who are interested. *Please note that the dates of the events introduced may change. Please check the […]
If you’re planning to go sightseeing, you probably want to include things in your itinerary that you can only see or experience during that specific time of year. In this article, we’ll introduce the situation, events, and recommended spots for January in Nagano Prefecture for those looking for unique experiences. Please note that the dates […]
If you are going to go sightseeing, you want to incorporate into your itinerary things that you can only see and experience during that time of the year. This time, we will introduce the conditions, events, and recommended spots in April in Fukuoka for those who are interested in such things. *The events introduced above […]
If you’re planning to travel, you will want to include things in your itinerary that can only be seen or experienced during that specific time of year. For those interested, we will introduce the situation, events, and recommended spots in Okinawa in September. *Please note that the dates of the events introduced may change. Please […]
Summary This time, sightseeing in Kanazawa along the “Kaga Hyakumangoku Excursion Route” where you can feel the history of the Edo period ✨ Two chaya district, shrines, samurai residences, Kanazawa Castle, Kenrokuen Garden, etc… I have visited the famous sightseeing spots in Kanazawa! Please take a look at this trip to feel the history and […]
What is Fukuyama City and Tomonoura? Fukuyama City is located in the easternmost part of Hiroshima Prefecture, in the center of the Seto Inland Sea coast, and is the eastern gateway to Hiroshima Prefecture. Tomonoura, located in Fukuyama City, is a retro port town that has been recognized as a Japanese Heritage site, and has […]
Hiroshima is blessed with magnificent nature, including spectacular views of the Seto Inland Sea and unique islands. In this issue, we will introduce eight carefully selected romantic spots in Hiroshima! You’ll discover many places where you can enjoy both the daytime scenery and the sunset and nighttime illuminations, including castles, shrines, and gardens featuring captivating […]
Hiroshima in spring is full of mild weather and beautiful nature, attracting travelers from all over the world. It is the best travel season because it is extremely pleasant. This article details the highlights of spring travel, from a description of the weather and best clothing for spring travel to the best places to visit […]
Summary This time, we boarded the “SAKUBI-SAKURA” train to Tsuyama in Okayama Prefecture to see cherry blossoms in full bloom.The cherry blossoms had fallen a little, but… the illuminated Tsuyama Castle, the delicious food, and the warm-hearted people of Tsuyama made me want to go back! It was an enjoyable trip that made me want […]
Summary This time, we took a cycling trip on the Shimanami Kaido, a 60-km-long automobile-only road connecting Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture, and Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture.I was having so much fun from the beginning that I ended up rushing through the second half…but cycling is still fun!Because of the steep slope, beginners should not go […]
Table of Contents Summary Okayama Prefecture, nicknamed “sunny Okayama” by its residents, is characterized by its mild climate and low precipitation.This time, we will take you on a one-day trip to four such castles in Okayama Prefecture, where you can also enjoy gourmet food.The castle is recommended as a fun place to walk or hike […]
Summary Yamaguchi Prefecture is located on the western edge of Japan’s main island of Honshu. It is dotted with historical spots and gained popularity when the industrial heritage sites in Hagi were registered as a World Heritage site.Among them, we drove around Iwakuni City, which has many attractions such as Iwakuni Castle and Kintaikyo Bridge, […]
Japanese castles attract a great deal of attention both in Japan and abroad for their history and their grandeur and beauty. This article introduces 11 of the many famous castles located throughout Japan. We recommend visiting them when you travel to Japan to enjoy learning about each castle’s historical role and background, and experience the […]
Cherry blossoms are at their best in Kyoto in spring. I stayed at La'gent Hotel Kyoto Nijo and explored Arashiyama and Nijo Castle on Day 1, then walked the Philosopher's Path and eastern Kyoto on Day 2. Here's my full 2-day spring itinerary with cherry blossom tips, cafe stops, and practical advice for getting around.
Summary This time, we rented bicycles at Tateyama Station for a one-day trip around Tateyama City! It was a fun cycling trip with great weather 🚲 I enjoyed the history, food and nature! Spring, summer, fall and winter (too cold in winter…?) Please refer to the Tateyama trip that you can enjoy~❗️ *Please note that […]