Castles Archives - Page 2 of 2

The Tsuruga Castle

We take a walk to the Tsuruga Castle in Aizu Wakamatsu, a city where the influences of samurai remain strong even today. The five storied impregnable fortress and castle tower that stands today is a replica reconstructed in 1965, based on photographs and historical documents of the preceding Kurokawa Castle, built in 1384.

We take a walk to the Tsuruga Castle in Aizu Wakamatsu, a city where the influences of samurai remain strong even today The five storied impregnable fortress and castle tower that stands today is a replica reconstructed in 1965, based on photographs and historical documents of the preceding Kurokawa Castle, built in 1384 Catching the train to Aizu-wakamatsu Catching the Rapid Local to Aizu-Wakamatsu Statue of young Byakkutai warriors in front of Aizu-wakamatsu station Statue of young Byakkutai warriors in front of Aizu-wakamatsu station Akabeko, the legendary cow from the Aizu region of Japan Akabeko, the legendary cow from the Aizu region of Japan After dropping our

The radiant Shuri Castle

Shuri Castle served as the center of politics, foreign affairs and culture of the Ryukyu Kingdom since the 14th century, until Okinawa became a Japanese prefecture in 1879. The World Heritage Site with its brilliant colors and stylish Ryukyu architecture is strikingly different from any castle I have witnessed in all of Japan.

31 October 2019 Update It is a sad sad day as I see helicopters capturing the video footage of the Shuri Castle in flames A massive fire broke out and burned down the Seiden, the main hall, and also the Hokuden and Nanden The fire alarm went off around 2:30 am and by afternoon, the fire had completely gutted six of the castle’s heritage buildings I feel a heavy burden in my heart as one of my memorable moments vanished up in smoke This is my story of when I visited the castle in 2016 Shuri Castle is a Ryukyuan gusuku castle in Shuri

The lovely Fukuyama Castle

Fukuyama Castle is one of the most beautiful castles I have witnessed on my travels in Japan. It belongs to the Edo Period. Most of the structures were destroyed in the air raids of World War II in 1945. Only the Fushimi Yagura and Sujigane Gate have survived the ravages of time.

After a quick visit to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial I was on my back to Nara It was still early in the day, so on the way, I decided to drop in at Fukuyama Station to explore the castle I always used to adore this lovely castle from the comfort of my seat on the Shinkansen, when it used to stop at the Fukuyama Station Today I finally get to explore it! Fukuyama Castle was built in 1619 by the feudal lord Mizuno Katsunari, a younger cousin of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the shogun who unified Japan and established the Edo Shogunate The castle is located in central Hiroshima Prefecture and is a leisurely stroll

A walk to Kochi Castle

Kochi Castle used to be the seat of the Yamauchi lords, who ruled over the surrounding area, then known as Tosa, during the Edo Period. Mani & I hike up the castle, the only one in all of Japan to have all the original buildings in the honmaru, or innermost ring of defense, still standing.

Kochi Castle used to be the seat of the Yamauchi lords, who ruled over the surrounding area, then known as Tosa, during the Edo Period Mani & I hike up the castle, the only one in all of Japan to have all the original buildings in the honmaru, or innermost ring of defense, still standing Early morning view of Kochi View of Kochi city from JR Kochi Station Statues Statues of local heroes Ryoma, Nakaoka, and Nanpeita at JR Kochi Station On the way to Harimaya bridge Kochi trams are operated by Tosaden Harimaya Bridge Ranita at Harimaya Bridge On

An evening stroll at Kokura Waterfront

Kokura city is the gateway to the Island of Kyushu from the Japanese mainland. We go for an evening stroll along the dazzling waterfront up to the 400 year old flatland Kokura Castle built towards the beginning of the Edo Period.

Kokura city is the gateway to the Island of Kyushu from the Japanese mainland We go for an evening stroll along the dazzling Kokura Waterfront up to the 400 year old flat land Kokura Castle built towards the beginning of the Edo Period Watch this space for the full story

On the trail of the Ninjas of Iga Ueno

We ride into the misty mountains of Mie, to visit Iga Ueno, the birthplace of Ninjas. At the Iga-ryu Ninja Museum, dedicated to the history of the shadow warriors, we discover the awesome escape routes, hidden doors, traps and fake hallways of a Ninja dwelling.

It was a grey Sunday The clouds had enveloped Nara and everything appeared gloomy We had plans for Kyoto but seeing the depressing weather, we decided to go a bit far to escape the elements and thus the plan to visit the Ninja town of Iga Ueno came to happen Iga Ueno is a small town located in mountains of western Mie It is particularly famous as the birthplace of the Iga Ninja spies & the art of Ninjutsu, but it also hides within its boundaries a few other secrets The origins of the Ninja is somewhat shrouded in secrecy The art was practiced by the Shinobi or Ninja that rose

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