20 Castles in Chiba worth your time

Reconstructed castle with a museum, offering insights into local history and literature.

What it is

• A Japanese castle in Tateyama, Chiba Prefecture.
• Designated as a historic site by Tateyama City.
• Constructed in 1580 by Satomi Yoshiyori.
• Abolished and destroyed in 1614.

What to see

• A mock tenshu (castle keep) built in 1982.
• A municipal museum located within the mock tenshu.
• Shiroyama Park, the surrounding green area.
• Main building of Tateyama City Museum below the castle.
• Exhibits on the Satomi clan in the main museum.
• Branch museum displays Nanso Satomi Hakkenden materials.

Official site

www.tsukahara-li.co.jp

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Explore Takafujiyama Castle ruins, a Sengoku-period site with a monument to Kazusa Hirotsune.

What it is

• A Japanese castle, also known as Yanagisawa Castle.
• Considered one of Kazusa Hirotsune's residences.
• A monument was erected in 1862.
• The monument praises Hirotsune's achievements.

What to see

• Castle ruins on the eastern foot of Takafujiyama.
• A central moat is still visible.
• The southern enclosure is the main enclosure.
• Two enclosures are on the northern side.
• Earthworks are in the eastern part of the northern enclosure.
• Existing remains are from the late Sengoku period.

Read more about Takafujiyama Castle

Explore the ruins of Shiizu Castle, a large, strategically important castle in Ichihara City.

What it is

• A former Japanese castle in Ichihara City, Chiba Prefecture.
• Designated a Chiba Prefecture historic site.
• One of Ichihara City's largest castles.
• A strategic point for land and water transportation.

What to see

• Castle ruins on a plateau behind Yasaka Shrine.
• Site measured 400 meters north-south, 180 meters east-west.
• Main keep foundation utilized an ancient burial mound.
• Double dry moat on the south side of the main keep.
• First moat was 14 meters wide and 4.5 meters deep.

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Kururi Castle is a reconstructed mountain castle with a rich history, worth visiting for its views and unique past.

What it is

• A Japanese castle in Chiba Prefecture.
• Built by Nobunaga Takeda in the Muromachi period.
• Rebuilt by the Satomi clan.
• Served as a domain office during the Edo period.

What to see

• Four groups of baileys.
• Abundant spring water sources.
• A simulated castle tower built in 1979.

When to go

• Known as Ujo because it often rains there.

Getting there

• Nearest station is Kururi Station on the JR Kururi Line.

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Explore Negiuchi Castle ruins, a 15th-century clan base, now a historical park divided by a modern road.

What it is

• A castle built by the Takashiro clan in 1462 or 1508.
• It served as the Takashiro clan's headquarters until 1537.
• Now a historical park opened in 2006.

What to see

• The castle was on a peninsula-shaped plateau.
• It had six main sections, extending 600 meters.
• A small enclosure was between the main gate and main enclosure.
• A horse-dashing enclosure was also present.
• The castle area is now divided by National Route 6.

Address

千葉県松戸市根木内字城ノ内 Map

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Explore the ruins of Shitoto Castle, a historic site with well-preserved earthworks and a war grave.

What it is

• A Japanese castle, branch of Usui Castle.
• Resided by Moroto Shiro in late Kamakura period.
• Destroyed by Toyotomi forces in 1590.

What to see

• Most of the castle ruins remain.
• Four baileys confirmed by moats and earthworks.
• A koshikuruwa is on the south side.
• A field grave for war dead remains nearby.
• A water deity is enshrined here.

Getting there

• Access by bus from Keisei Usui Station.

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Explore Togane Castle ruins, a historic site with a rich samurai past, just a short walk from Togane Station.

What it is

• A historic castle built in 1521 by Sakai Sadataka and Takatoshi.
• It was the residence of the Kazusa Sakai clan.
• Also known as Tokigane Castle.
• A Togane City designated historic site.

What to see

• The main enclosure at the highest point, 74 meters above sea level.
• Located on a plateau behind Honzenji Temple.

Getting there

• 10-minute walk from JR Togane Line Togane Station.

Read more about Togane Castle

Explore the ruins of Nakabyo Castle, a 16th-century samurai residence with historical significance.

What it is

• A former castle, also known as Shibahara Castle.
• Residence of the Kawamura clan.
• Kawamura Dewa-no-kami Katsunori entered in 1541.
• Fell during the 1590 Odawara Castle campaign.

What to see

• Castle site built on an irregular triangle.
• Cliffs to the north and west of the site.
• Plateau to the east of the site.
• Overlooked Lake Kuri-Tone to the north.
• Excavated earthenware and pottery fragments.

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Explore Nedo Castle ruins, a well-preserved Sengoku-period site on the Shimousa Plateau.

What it is

• A castle site in Abiko City, Chiba Prefecture.
• Westernmost castle site in Abiko City.
• Dates from Japan's Sengoku period.
• First mentioned in 1920 document 'Fuse Sonshi'.

What to see

• Castle built on the Shimousa Plateau, 16-18m above sea level.
• Mainly two enclosures, east and west.
• Remains of enclosures are in excellent condition.
• Southern lowlands converted to fields and rice paddies.

Address

千葉県我孫子市根戸字荒追 Map

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Explore extensive castle ruins, earthworks, and moats of a 15th-century stronghold.

What it is

• A Japanese castle built between 1469 and 1486.
• Main base for the later Chiba clan.
• Designated a National Historic Site since 1998.
• Selected as one of the Continued Top 100 Castles of Japan in 2017.

What to see

• The castle area is divided into inner and outer baileys.
• Inner bailey was a stronghold surrounded by wetlands.
• Castle ruins, earthworks, and moats remain almost complete.

Read more about Moto Sakura Castle

Explore historic castle ruins and a park, once a major Edo-period domain seat.

What it is

• Former Japanese castle in Sakura City, Chiba Prefecture.
• Seat of the Sakura Domain during the Edo period.
• Construction began in the Sengoku period.
• Completed in 1610 by Doi Toshikatsu.

What to see

• Nationally designated historic site.
• One of Japan's Top 100 Castles (number 20).
• Castle ruins maintained as Sakura Castle Park.
• A preserved castle gate is open to the public.

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Explore Mariyatsu Castle ruins, a mountain fortress with historical significance and natural beauty.

What it is

• A Japanese mountain castle ruin.
• Built by Nobunaga Takeda, ancestor of the Kazusa Takeda clan.
• Served as a political and military base.
• Abandoned in 1590 during the Odawara Campaign.

What to see

• Castle ruins 161 meters above sea level.
• Site of a hilltop castle built on a ridge.
• Main enclosure in the southernmost part.
• Main enclosure surrounded by an earthen wall.

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Explore Kogane Castle ruins, a 16th-century samurai stronghold, for a glimpse into Japan's feudal past.

What it is

• A 16th-century castle built by Takashiro Taneyoshi.
• It was the residence of the Takashiro clan.
• Also known as Otayaguchi Castle and Kaika Castle.
• Abandoned in 1593 after a siege.

What to see

• Castle ruins on a 20m high hill.
• Site spanned 800m east-west and 700m north-south.
• Remains of 12 kuruwa (enclosures).
• Part of the ruins is Otayaguchi Historical Park.

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Explore the historic ruins of Kōnodai Castle, a former strategic stronghold with visible earthworks.

What it is

• A former castle site in Ichikawa City, Chiba Prefecture.
• Also known as Ichikawa Castle.
• Ōta Dōkan established a temporary camp in 1478.
• Ōta Suketada built a castle here in 1479.

What to see

• Castle site on a river terrace, 20-30 meters high.
• Remains of moats are still visible.
• Empty moats and earthworks can be seen.
• The site became Satomi Park in 1958.

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Explore 15th-century castle ruins with Edo-period defenses on a strategic hill.

What it is

• A Japanese castle built by the Mariya clan in 1461.
• Served as a front line against the Hojo clan.
• Abandoned in 1590 after the Odawara Campaign.

What to see

• Castle ruins including moats, stone walls, and earthworks.
• A historic well within the castle grounds.
• Remains from the late Edo period.
• Two gun batteries from the late Edo period.

Read more about Tsukurōmi Castle

Explore Inohana Castle, a flatland-mountain castle site with a folk museum and historical park.

What it is

• A Japanese flatland-mountain castle.
• Also known as Chiba Castle.
• Castle ruins are a city cultural property.
• Presumed Sengoku period castle site.

What to see

• Castle site has earthworks and dry moats.
• Chiba City Folk Museum, a simulated castle tower.
• Shimmei Shrine at the main enclosure tip.
• Inohana Park, a historical park.

Read more about Inohana Castle

Oyumi Castle is a historic castle site in Chiba, important for its samurai clan connections.

What it is

• A Japanese castle in Chiba City, also called Kitaoyumi Castle.
• Built by the Hara clan as an important branch castle.
• Served as the administrative center for the Oyumi Domain.

What to see

• The main enclosure was destroyed by residential development.

Getting there

• Located along a prefectural road.

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Explore Shiroyama Castle ruins, a former Japanese castle site, for a glimpse into historical fortifications.

What it is

• A former Japanese castle.
• Located in Omiya-cho, Wakaba-ku, Chiba City.
• Built on a plateau.

What to see

• The castle site on a plateau.
• Remains of a linear enclosure.
• Remains of a right-angled enclosure.
• Hie Shrine in the southeast.

Getting there

• Take Chiba Chuo Bus from Chiba Station.

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Explore the history of a strategic Edo-period castle that controlled vital water transport.

What it is

• A castle built in the Muromachi period.
• Residence of the Sekiyado Yanada family.
• Served as the administrative center for Sekiyado Domain.
• Demolished in 1875.

What to see

• Castle layout blocked the Edo River.
• A three-story turret built in 1671.
• Turret modeled after Edo Castle's Fujimi-yagura.

Read more about Sekiyado Castle

Explore Sanuki Castle ruins, a former Edo period administrative center, for a glimpse into Japan's feudal past.

What it is

• A Japanese castle in Futtsu City, Chiba Prefecture.
• Administrative center of the Sanuki Domain during the Edo period.
• Built by the Mariya clan.
• Abolished in 1871 due to the han system's end.

What to see

• Remains of moats.
• Remains of stone walls.
• Remains of earthworks.
• Remains of wells.

Read more about Sanuki Castle