9 Castles in Gunma worth your time

A historic flatland castle site featuring surviving stone walls and moats, now home to the Gunma Prefectural Government Office.

What it is

• A flatland castle established by the Nagano clan in the late 15th century.
• One of the Seven Famous Kanto Castles originally known as Mayabashi Castle.
• Rebuilt in 1863 with local donations after being abandoned due to river erosion.
• The Gunma Prefectural Government Office now occupies the former inner bailey.

What to see

• Original stone walls and moats that remain as physical ruins of the fortress.
• The Kurumabashi Gate site which is a designated municipal historic site.
• Stone walls of the Otemon Gate revealed during excavations in 2021.
• The Tone River which historically served as the castle's outer moat.

Read more about Maebashi Castle

Explore Takasaki Castle ruins, a historic flatland castle with remaining turrets and a scenic park.

What it is

• A flatland castle, formerly Wada Castle, built in the late Heian period.
• Served as the domain office for the Takasaki Domain.
• Part of the castle ruins is a city-designated historic site.
• Existing structures are important cultural properties.

What to see

• The Inui turret is the only remaining original turret.
• The East Gate has been relocated and restored.
• The moat area is now Takasaki Castle Ruins Park.
• The castle site includes a 21-story city hall.

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Explore Nagurumi Castle ruins, a historic site with well-preserved structures and a dramatic past.

What it is

• Castle built by Sanada Masayuki in 1579.
• Branch castle of Numata Castle.
• Designated a Gunma Prefecture Historic Site in 1949.
• Selected as one of the Continued Top 100 Japanese Castles in 2017.

What to see

• Well-preserved structures from its construction.
• Monument in the main enclosure.
• Located on cliffs of the Tone River.

Getting there

• Accessible by car from Tsukiyono Interchange.

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Explore the historic ruins of Tatebayashi Castle, a former samurai stronghold with unique water defenses.

What it is

• A Japanese castle, also known as Obiki Castle.
• Designated a historic site by Tatebayashi City.
• Rebuilt into a modern castle by Sakakibara Yasumasa.
• Abandoned in 1683, rebuilt on a smaller scale in 1707.

What to see

• Konuma pond, used as the castle's moat.
• Remains of the castle's seven enclosures.
• The main bailey, a central part of the castle.
• The Dobashi Gate, restored in 1983.

Address

群馬県館林市城町3 Map

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Explore a mountaintop castle ruin with panoramic views and historical significance near Ota.

What it is

• A Japanese mountaintop castle (yamashiro) ruin.
• Designated a National Historic Site in 1934.
• Selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Castles in 2006.

What to see

• Nitta Shrine at the former main keep site.
• Remaining stone walls on the slopes.
• Panoramic view of the Kanto Plain.
• Bust of Chikuhei Nakajima in the south enclosure.
• Guidance facility opened in 2009.

Official site

www.city.ota.gunma.jp

Read more about Kanayama Castle

Explore Iwabitsu Castle ruins, a strategic mountain fortress with unique radial moats.

What it is

• A Japanese mountain castle, abolished in 1614.
• Designated as a National Historic Site.
• Key strategic point connecting other castles.
• Selected as one of the Continued Top 100 Japanese Castles.

What to see

• Castle ruins on Mt. Iwabitsu mountainside.
• Unique structure with radial moats.
• Site of gold particle discovery from a crucible.

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Explore Koizumi Castle ruins, a historic flatland castle with a Kofun burial mound.

What it is

• Koizumi Castle, also known as Tomioka Castle.
• Built in 1489 by Mochimitsu.
• Designated historic site of Oizumi Town.
• Fell in 1590 during Toyotomi Hideyoshi's Kanto campaign.

What to see

• Castle ruins maintained as Jonouchi Park.
• Flatland castle built on a 33-meter-high plateau.
• Kofun period burial mound within the castle ruins.

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Explore extensive ruins of a 16th-century hilltop castle, a national historic site.

What it is

• A Japanese castle in Gunma Prefecture.
• Designated as a national historic site.
• One of Japan's Top 100 Castles.
• Built in 1512 or 1526 by the Nagano clan.

What to see

• Extensive ruins spanning 47 hectares.
• Remaining stone walls and earthworks.
• Dry moats are still visible.

Official site

www.city.takasaki.gunma.jp

Read more about Minowa Castle

Explore the historic grounds of a former castle, now a park, with scenic views.

What it is

• A former castle site, now Numata Park.
• Built in 1532 by Numata Akiyasu.
• Served as the Numata clan's residence.
• Administrative center of the Numata Domain.

What to see

• Castle ruins on a river terrace.
• Views from a hill castle site.

Official site

www.numata-kankou.jp

Read more about Numata Castle