| Prefecture | Selected entry | Location / details |
|---|---|---|
| Hokkaido北海道 | Goryokaku (National Special Historic Site)五稜郭（国の特別史跡） | Hakodate City函館市 |
| Hokkaido北海道 | Matsumae Castle (National Historic Site)松前城（国の史跡） | Matsumae Town松前町 |
| Hokkaido北海道 | Katsuyama Residence (National Historic Site)勝山館（国の史跡） | Hiyama District檜山郡 |
| Aomori Prefecture青森県 | Hirosaki Castle (National Historic Site, Original Tenshu)弘前城（国の史跡・現存天守） | Hirosaki City弘前市 |
| Aomori Prefecture青森県 | Shichinohe Castle (National Historic Site)七戸城（国の史跡） | Kamikita District上北郡 |
| Iwate Prefecture岩手県 | Morioka Castle (National Historic Site)盛岡城（国の史跡） | Morioka City盛岡市 |
| Iwate Prefecture岩手県 | Kunohe Castle (National Historic Site)九戸城（国の史跡） | Ninohe City二戸市 |
| Akita Prefecture秋田県 | Kubota Castle (City Cultural Property, Gomonokashira Gobansho)久保田城（市文化財 御物頭御番所） | Akita City秋田市 |
| Akita Prefecture秋田県 | Hiyama Castle (National Historic Site)檜山城（国の史跡） | Noshiro City能代市 |
| Miyagi Prefecture宮城県 | Sendai Castle (National Historic Site)仙台城（国の史跡） | Sendai City仙台市 |
| Yamagata Prefecture山形県 | Yamagata Castle (National Historic Site)山形城（国の史跡） | Yamagata City山形市 |
| Fukushima Prefecture福島県 | Aizuwakamatsu Castle (National Historic Site)会津若松城（国の史跡） | Aizuwakamatsu City会津若松市 |
| Fukushima Prefecture福島県 | Mukaihaguroyama Castle (National Historic Site)向羽黒山城（国の史跡） | Onuma District大沼郡 |
| Fukushima Prefecture福島県 | Shirakawa Castle (City Designated Historic Site)白河城（市指定史跡） | Shirakawa City白河市 |
| Ibaraki Prefecture茨城県 | Obata Castle小幡城 | Higashiibaraki District東茨城郡 |
| Ibaraki Prefecture茨城県 | Kasama Castle (City Designated Historic Site)笠間城（市指定史跡） | Kasama City笠間市 |
| Tochigi Prefecture栃木県 | Karasawayama Castle (National Historic Site, One of the Seven Famous Castles of Kanto)唐沢山城（国の史跡・関東七名城） | Sano City佐野市 |
| Tochigi Prefecture栃木県 | Take Castle (One of the Seven Famous Castles of Kanto)多気城（関東七名城） | Utsunomiya City宇都宮市 |
| Gunma Prefecture群馬県 | Minowa Castle (National Historic Site)箕輪城（国の史跡） | Takasaki City高崎市 |
| Chiba Prefecture千葉県 | Hon-Sakura Castle (National Historic Site)本佐倉城（国の史跡） | Inba District印旛郡 |
| Chiba Prefecture千葉県 | Sakura Castle (City Designated Historic Site)佐倉城（市指定史跡） | Sakura City佐倉市 |
| Saitama Prefecture埼玉県 | Hachigata Castle (National Historic Site)鉢形城（国の史跡） | Yorii Town寄居町 |
| Saitama Prefecture埼玉県 | Sugiyama Castle (National Historic Site)杉山城（国の史跡） | Hiki District比企郡 |
| Tokyo東京都 | Edo Castle (National Special Historic Site)江戸城（国の特別史跡） | Chiyoda Ward千代田区 |
| Tokyo東京都 | Takiyama Castle (National Historic Site)滝山城（国の史跡） | Hachioji City八王子市 |
| Tokyo東京都 | Hachioji Castle (National Historic Site, One of Japan's Five Great Mountain Castles)八王子城（国の史跡・日本五大山岳城） | Hachioji City八王子市 |
| Kanagawa Prefecture神奈川県 | Odawara Castle (National Historic Site)小田原城（国の史跡） | Odawara City小田原市 |
| Kanagawa Prefecture神奈川県 | Ishigakiyama Ichiya Castle (National Historic Site)石垣山一夜城（国の史跡） | Odawara City小田原市 |
| Niigata Prefecture新潟県 | Kasugayama Castle (National Historic Site, One of Japan's Five Great Mountain Castles)春日山城（国の史跡・日本五大山岳城） | Joetsu City上越市 |
| Niigata Prefecture新潟県 | Murakami Castle (National Historic Site)村上城（国の史跡） | Murakami City村上市 |
| Toyama Prefecture富山県 | Takaoka Castle (Prefectural Designated Historic Site)高岡城（県指定史跡） | Takaoka City高岡市 |
| Ishikawa Prefecture石川県 | Nanao Castle (National Historic Site, One of Japan's Five Great Mountain Castles)七尾城（国の史跡・日本五大山岳城） | Nanao City七尾市 |
| Ishikawa Prefecture石川県 | Kanazawa Castle (National Historic Site)金沢城（国の史跡） | Kanazawa City金沢市 |
| Fukui Prefecture福井県 | Ichijodani Asakura Family Historic Ruins and Mountain Castle (National Special Historic Site; Garden is National Special Place of Scenic Beauty)一乗谷朝倉氏館と山城（国の特別史跡、庭園は国の特別名勝） | Fukui City福井市 |
| Fukui Prefecture福井県 | Maruoka Castle (Original Tenshu, Oldest Existing)丸岡城（現存天守 現存最古） | Sakai City坂井市 |
| Yamanashi Prefecture山梨県 | Yōgaizan Castle and Tsutsujigasaki Residence (National Historic Site, Takeda Shrine)要害山城と躑躅ヶ崎館（国の史跡、武田神社） | Kofu City甲府市 |
| Yamanashi Prefecture山梨県 | Kofu Castle (Prefectural Designated Historic Site)甲府城（県指定史跡） | Kofu City甲府市 |
| Yamanashi Prefecture山梨県 | Shinpu Castle (National Historic Site)新府城（国の史跡） | Nirasaki City韮崎市 |
| Nagano Prefecture長野県 | Matsumoto Castle (National Treasure Original Tenshu, National Historic Site)松本城（国宝現存天守・国の史跡） | Matsumoto City松本市 |
| Nagano Prefecture長野県 | Ueda Castle (National Historic Site)上田城（国の史跡） | Ueda City上田市 |
| Nagano Prefecture長野県 | Komoro Castle (Important Cultural Property, Otemon Gate and San-no-mon Gate)小諸城（国の重要文化財 大手門、三之門） | Komoro City小諸市 |
| Gifu Prefecture岐阜県 | Iwamura Castle (One of Three Great Mountain Castles, One of Japan's 100 Remote Regions)岩村城（三大山城・日本の秘境100選） | Ena City恵那市 |
| Gifu Prefecture岐阜県 | Naegi Castle (National Historic Site)苗木城（国の史跡） | Nakatsugawa City中津川市 |
| Shizuoka Prefecture静岡県 | Sunpu Castle駿府城 | Shizuoka City静岡市 |
| Shizuoka Prefecture静岡県 | Suwahara Castle (National Historic Site)諏訪原城（国の史跡） | Shimada City島田市 |
| Aichi Prefecture愛知県 | Nagoya Castle (National Special Historic Site, One of Three Famous Castles)名古屋城（国の特別史跡・三名城） | Nagoya City名古屋市 |
| Aichi Prefecture愛知県 | Inuyama Castle (National Treasure Original Tenshu)犬山城（国宝現存天守） | Inuyama City犬山市 |
| Mie Prefecture三重県 | Matsusaka Castle (Prefectural Designated Historic Site)松阪城（県指定史跡） | Matsusaka City松阪市 |
| Mie Prefecture三重県 | Ueno Castle (National Historic Site)上野城（国の史跡） | Iga City伊賀市 |
| Shiga Prefecture滋賀県 | Hikone Castle (National Treasure Original Tenshu, National Special Historic Site and Place of Scenic Beauty)彦根城（国宝現存天守・国の特別史跡及び名勝） | Hikone City彦根市 |
| Shiga Prefecture滋賀県 | Azuchi Castle (National Special Historic Site)安土城（国の特別史跡） | Omihachiman City近江八幡市 |
| Shiga Prefecture滋賀県 | Odani Castle (National Historic Site, One of Japan's Five Great Mountain Castles)小谷城（国の史跡・日本五大山城） | Nagahama City長浜市 |
| Shiga Prefecture滋賀県 | Genbao Castle and Shizugatake Fortress Group玄蕃尾城と賤ヶ岳城塞群 | Tsuruga City, Nagahama City敦賀市、長浜市 |
| Kyoto Prefecture京都府 | Nijo Castle (World Heritage, 6 National Treasure Buildings, National Historic Site and Place of Scenic Beauty)二条城（世界遺産・国宝6棟・国の史跡及び名勝） | Kyoto City京都市 |
| Osaka Prefecture大阪府 | Osaka Castle (National Special Historic Site, One of Three Famous Castles)大坂城（国の特別史跡・三名城） | Osaka City大阪市 |
| Osaka Prefecture大阪府 | Akutagawayama Castle芥川山城 | Takatsuki City高槻市 |
| Hyogo Prefecture兵庫県 | Himeji Castle (World Heritage Site, 8 National Treasure buildings, Special Historic Site of Japan, existing main keep, one of the three great flatland-mountain castles, one of the three great connected flatland-mountain castles)姫路城（世界遺産・国宝8棟・国の特別史跡・現存天守・三大平山城・三大連立式平山城） | Himeji City姫路市 |
| Hyogo Prefecture兵庫県 | Sasayama Castle (National Historic Site)篠山城（国の史跡） | Tamba-Sasayama City丹波篠山市 |
| Hyogo Prefecture兵庫県 | Sumoto Castle (National Historic Site)洲本城（国の史跡） | Sumoto City洲本市 |
| Hyogo Prefecture兵庫県 | Takeda Castle (National Historic Site)竹田城（国の史跡） | Asago City朝来市 |
| Hyogo Prefecture兵庫県 | Okishio Castle (National Historic Site)置塩城（国の史跡） | Himeji City姫路市 |
| Nara Prefecture奈良県 | Takatori Castle (National Historic Site, one of the three great mountain castles)高取城（国の史跡・三大山城） | Takatori Town高取町 |
| Wakayama Prefecture和歌山県 | Wakayama Castle (National Historic Site and Place of Scenic Beauty, one of the three great connected flatland-mountain castles)和歌山城（国の史跡及び名勝・三大連立式平山城） | Wakayama City和歌山市 |
| Tottori Prefecture鳥取県 | Tottori Castle (National Historic Site)鳥取城（国の史跡） | Tottori City鳥取市 |
| Shimane Prefecture島根県 | Matsue Castle (National Historic Site, existing main keep, one of the three great lake castles)松江城（国の史跡・現存天守・三大湖城） | Matsue City松江市 |
| Shimane Prefecture島根県 | Tsuwano Castle (National Historic Site)津和野城（国の史跡） | Tsuwano Town津和野町 |
| Shimane Prefecture島根県 | Gassan Toda Castle (National Historic Site, one of Japan's five great mountain castles)月山富田城（国の史跡・日本五大山岳城） | Yasugi City安来市 |
| Okayama Prefecture岡山県 | Okayama Castle (National Historic Site and Special Place of Scenic Beauty)岡山城（国の史跡及び特別名勝） | Okayama City岡山市 |
| Okayama Prefecture岡山県 | Kinojo (National Historic Site)鬼ノ城（国の史跡） | Sōja City総社市 |
| Okayama Prefecture岡山県 | Bitchu Matsuyama Castle (National Historic Site, existing main keep, one of the three great mountain castles)備中松山城（国の史跡・現存天守・三大山城） | Takahashi City高梁市 |
| Okayama Prefecture岡山県 | Tsuyama Castle (National Historic Site, one of the three great flatland-mountain castles)津山城（国の史跡・三大平山城） | Tsuyama City津山市 |
| Hiroshima Prefecture広島県 | Fukuyama Castle (National Historic Site)福山城（国の史跡） | Fukuyama City福山市 |
| Hiroshima Prefecture広島県 | Hiroshima Castle (National Historic Site)広島城（国の史跡） | Hiroshima City広島市 |
| Hiroshima Prefecture広島県 | Shintakayama Castle (National Historic Site)新高山城（国の史跡） | Mihara City三原市 |
| Yamaguchi Prefecture山口県 | Hagi Castle (National Historic Site)萩城（国の史跡） | Hagi City萩市 |
| Kagawa Prefecture香川県 | Marugame Castle (National Historic Site, existing main keep)丸亀城（国の史跡・現存天守） | Marugame City丸亀市 |
| Kagawa Prefecture香川県 | Takamatsu Castle (National Historic Site, one of the three great water castles)高松城（国の史跡・三大水城） | Takamatsu City高松市 |
| Tokushima Prefecture徳島県 | Tokushima Castle (National Historic Site and Place of Scenic Beauty)徳島城（国の史跡及び名勝） | Tokushima City徳島市 |
| Tokushima Prefecture徳島県 | Ichinomiya Castle (Prefectural Historic Site, Prefectural Natural Park)一宮城（県指定史跡、県立自然公園） | Tokushima City徳島市 |
| Ehime Prefecture愛媛県 | Matsuyama Castle (National Historic Site, one of the three great flatland-mountain castles, existing main keep, one of the three great connected flatland-mountain castles)松山城（国の史跡・三大平山城・現存天守・三大連立式平山城） | Matsuyama City松山市 |
| Ehime Prefecture愛媛県 | Uwajima Castle (National Historic Site, existing main keep)宇和島城（国の史跡・現存天守） | Uwajima City宇和島市 |
| Ehime Prefecture愛媛県 | Ozu Castle (Prefectural Historic Site)大洲城（県指定史跡） | Ozu City大洲市 |
| Kochi Prefecture高知県 | Kochi Castle (National Historic Site, existing main keep)高知城（国の史跡・現存天守） | Kochi City高知市 |
| Kochi Prefecture高知県 | Okō Castle (National Historic Site)岡豊城（国の史跡） | Nankoku City南国市 |
| Fukuoka Prefecture福岡県 | Fukuoka Castle (National Historic Site)福岡城（国の史跡） | Fukuoka City福岡市 |
| Fukuoka Prefecture福岡県 | Ōno Castle and Mizuki, Dazaifu Government Office (Special Historic Site of Japan)大野城と水城、大宰府政庁（国の特別史跡） | Ōnojō City, Dazaifu City大野城市、太宰府市 |
| Saga Prefecture佐賀県 | Hizen Nagoya Castle and Fortresses (Special Historic Site of Japan)肥前名護屋城と陣城群（国の特別史跡） | Karatsu City唐津市 |
| Saga Prefecture佐賀県 | Katsuo Castle (National Historic Site)勝尾城（国の史跡） | Tosu City鳥栖市 |
| Nagasaki Prefecture長崎県 | Hara Castle (National Historic Site)原城（国の史跡） | Minamishimabara City南島原市 |
| Nagasaki Prefecture長崎県 | Shimizuyama Castle and Kaneishi Castle (both National Historic Sites; Kaneishi Castle's garden is a National Place of Scenic Beauty)清水山城と金石城（ともに国の史跡、金石城の庭園は国の名勝） | Tsushima City対馬市 |
| Kumamoto Prefecture熊本県 | Kumamoto Castle (Special Historic Site of Japan, one of the three famous castles)熊本城（国の特別史跡・三名城） | Kumamoto City熊本市 |
| Kumamoto Prefecture熊本県 | Hitoyoshi Castle (National Historic Site)人吉城（国の史跡） | Hitoyoshi City人吉市 |
| Oita Prefecture大分県 | Oka Castle (National Historic Site)岡城（国の史跡） | Taketa City竹田市 |
| Oita Prefecture大分県 | Saiki Castle (Prefectural Tangible Cultural Property, San-no-maru Palace Turret Gate)佐伯城（県有形文化財 三の丸御殿櫓門） | Saiki City佐伯市 |
| Miyazaki Prefecture宮崎県 | Obi Castle (City-designated Historic Site)飫肥城（市指定史跡） | Nichinan City日南市 |
| Miyazaki Prefecture宮崎県 | Sadowara Castle (National Historic Site)佐土原城（国の史跡） | Miyazaki City宮崎市 |
| Kagoshima Prefecture鹿児島県 | Chiran Castle (National Historic Site)知覧城（国の史跡） | Minamikyushu City南九州市 |
| Okinawa Prefecture沖縄県 | Shuri Castle (World Heritage Site, National Historic Site)首里城（世界遺産・国の史跡） | Naha City那覇市 |
| Okinawa Prefecture沖縄県 | Nakagusuku Castle (World Heritage Site, National Historic Site)中城城（世界遺産・国の史跡） | Nakagusuku Village中城村 |
| Okinawa Prefecture沖縄県 | Katsuren Castle (World Heritage Site, National Historic Site)勝連城（世界遺産・国の史跡） | Uruma Cityうるま市 |
Japan's Top 100 Famous Castles日本名城百選
About this collection
Japan's Top 100 Famous Castles is a collection of 100 carefully selected castles from across Japan. Each prefecture includes between one and five castles, allowing readers to learn about famous castles both locally and nationwide. The selection emphasizes the castle's layout rather than just appearance, with Osaka Castle ranked first and Kumamoto Castle second. Each castle entry includes a color-coded layout map with explanations and recommended photography spots, enabling visitors to plan where to take photos in advance.
The list includes 69 castles announced by the Japan Castle Foundation in 2006 and 26 castles announced in 2017. Castles such as Himeji Castle in Hyogo Prefecture, a World Heritage Site, Hikone Castle in Shiga Prefecture, a National Treasure, and Matsumoto Castle in Nagano Prefecture are included, all truly deserving the title of famous castles. Planning trips using this guide is recommended. Due to the nature of castles, many are located on hills or mountains rather than flat land, so it is advisable to research the surrounding environment before visiting.
The castles listed in Japan's Top 100 Famous Castles are spread nationwide from Hokkaido to Okinawa. Depending on the castle, visitors may need to use various transportation methods such as cars, walking, or airplanes. Trying to visit all 100 castles quickly with an overly ambitious plan can be physically exhausting and diminish the enjoyment of the visits. It is better to plan with ample time and spread visits over several years.
Translated from the Japanese edition. Original Japanese names are included to help identify entries. Names, addresses and selection details may reflect the original publication.