18 Castles in Mie worth your time

Toba Castle, a unique "Floating Castle" with its main gate facing the sea, offers preserved stonework and bay views.

What it is

• Castle built by Kuki Yoshitaka (1542–1600).
• Known as the “Floating Castle of Toba.”
• Demolished in 1871 during the Meiji era.

What to see

• Well-preserved stonework of the castle walls.
• Sannomaru Plaza, formerly the third bailey.
• Foundation walls on the south and west of the main bailey.
• Stonework at the former chief retainer residence.
• Shiroyama Park, site of the main bailey and keep.
• Sweeping view of Toba Bay from Shiroyama Park.

Getting there

• Toba Aquarium is on the east side of the castle grounds.
• Toba City Hall is on the west side of the castle grounds.

Read more about Toba Castle

Explore Kameyama Castle, a historic site with a preserved yagura, offering a glimpse into Japan's feudal past.

What it is

• Built in 1265 by Seki Sanetada.
• Also known as Kochōjō.
• Residence of the Ise-Kameyama Domain lord.
• Served as shogunate lodging during Edo period.

What to see

• The Tamon Yagura remains in its original position.
• Tamon Yagura is a designated historic site.
• Most structures were demolished after 1873.
• A three-story yagura replaced the main keep in 1636.

When to go

• Kameyama Castle Cherry Blossom Festival in April.

Getting there

• 10-minute walk from JR Kameyama Station.

Read more about Kameyama Castle

Explore Kuwana Castle ruins, a historic water castle site with restored turret and river views.

What it is

• Former administrative center of Ise-Kuwana Domain.
• Designated a Mie Prefecture historic site in 1942.
• Original castle burned down in 1701.
• Now Kuwana Castle Ruins Kyuka Park.

What to see

• Remaining stone walls and moats.
• Restored Banryu-yagura turret, externally rebuilt in 2003.
• Banryu-yagura turret has a second-floor observation deck.
• View the Ibi River from the observation deck.

Getting there

• 15-minute walk from Kuwana Station.

Read more about Kuwana Castle

Explore a Sengoku-period castle ruin, now a park with cherry blossoms and unique attractions.

What it is

• A Japanese hirayamajiro-type castle.
• Built by Naka Shinhachiro during the Sengoku period.
• Served as the base for the Naka clan.
• Now Nakamurayama Park in Owase City.

What to see

• A monument on the yagura base marks the castle's existence.
• A sumo ring on the former main keep site.
• Owase City Astronomical Science Museum on the second bailey site.

When to go

• Visit in spring for cherry blossoms.

Read more about Nakamurayama Castle

Explore Tamaru Castle ruins, a historic hirayamajiro with impressive stone walls and moats.

What it is

• A Japanese castle built on a hill in a plain.
• Constructed by Kitabatake Chikafusa and Kitabatake Akinobu.
• Rebuilt by the Kitabatake clan during the Muromachi period.
• Designated a Mie Prefecture historic site.

What to see

• Castle ruins, including a tenshudai.
• Impressive stone walls remain.
• Moats are still visible.
• Former castle grounds now house town hall and junior high school.

Read more about Tamaru Castle

Explore Akagi Castle ruins, a hilltop fortress offering a glimpse into Japan's samurai past.

What it is

• A Japanese castle ruin in Kumano City, Mie Prefecture.
• Built by Todo Takatora around 1589.
• Abandoned in 1615 due to a government order.
• Designated a national historic site in 1989.

What to see

• Hilltop castle ruins at 230 meters elevation.
• Main enclosure measuring 33 by 27 meters.
• Complex double masugata-koguchi entrance.
• Stone walls of the main enclosure, 3-4 meters high.

Read more about Akagi Castle

Explore extensive mountain-top castle ruins, a National Historic Site with historical significance.

What it is

• A mountain castle, also known as Azaka Castle and Shiinoki Castle.
• An important base for the Kitabatake clan.
• Designated a National Historic Site in 1982.

What to see

• Castle ruins spread over 180m by 330m.
• Existing moats and earthworks.
• South bailey, called Hakumai Castle.
• North bailey, called Shiinoki Castle.
• Stone monument marking Azaka Castle in the south bailey.

Read more about Hakumai Castle

Explore a reconstructed castle with impressive stone walls, a ninja museum, and a haiku master's hall.

What it is

• A hirayamajiro, a castle on a hill in a plain.
• Also called Hakuho Castle.
• Designated a national historic site in 1967.
• Part of Ueno Park.

What to see

• A 30-meter high stone wall built by Todo Takatora.
• Reconstructed wooden castle tower built in 1935.
• High stone walls are among the best in Japan.
• Ueno Park includes the Haiseiden and Iga-ryu Ninja Museum.

Official site

igaueno-castle.jp

Read more about Iga Ueno Castle

Explore Tsu Castle ruins, a historic site with a shrine and park, once a major domain headquarters.

What it is

• Also known as Anotsu Castle.
• Mie Prefecture designated historic site.
• Origin dates back to the Eiroku era (1558-1569).
• Headquarters of the Tsu Domain.

What to see

• Castle ruins maintained as Oshiro Park.
• Kozan Shrine exists within the ruins.
• Used Anogawa and Iwatagawa rivers as outer moats.
• Designated one of the Continued 100 Fine Castles of Japan.

Read more about Tsu Castle

Explore Kiriyama Castle ruins, a National Historic Site, for a glimpse into samurai history.

What it is

• A historic castle also known as Taki Castle.
• Designated a National Historic Site since 1936.
• Served as a base for the Kitabatake clan for 240 years.
• Strategically located in a transportation hub.

What to see

• Castle ruins on a 560m high mountain.
• Remains of two enclosures: northeast and southwest kuruwa.
• Site of a bell tower near the main keep.

Read more about Kiriyama Castle

Explore Nagashima Castle ruins, a historic mountain fortress with earthworks and a main enclosure.

What it is

• A Japanese mountain castle.
• Built in 1384 by Kato Jinzaemon.
• Designated historic site in Kihoku Town.
• Burned down after months of fighting.

What to see

• Castle ruins include earthworks.
• See the main enclosure.
• A mobile phone facility is on the turret base.

Getting there

• 20-minute walk from Kii-Nagashima Station.

Read more about Nagashima Castle

Explore Hamada Castle ruins, a historic site with a shrine, park, and remnants of a 15th-century flatland castle.

What it is

• A flatland castle built by Tadahide Tahara in 1470.
• Now a Yokkaichi City designated historic site.
• The site is Unomori Shrine and Unomori Park.
• Unomori Shrine enshrines four generations of the Tahara family.

What to see

• Unomori Shrine and Unomori Park.
• Earthen embankments around the shrine.
• A pond that was part of the castle moat.

Read more about Hamada Castle

Explore Matsusaka Castle ruins, a historic site with impressive stone walls and scenic park views.

What it is

• Castle ruins, designated a national historic site.
• Construction began in 1588 by Gamo Ujisato.
• Became residence of the Matsusaka Domain.
• Selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Castles.

What to see

• Only stone walls remain at the site.
• The castle site is now Matsusaka Park.
• A literary monument stands on the Ninomaru site.

Official site

www.city.matsusaka.mie.jp

Read more about Matsusaka Castle

Explore Kanbe Castle Park, a historic site with castle ruins and a rich samurai legacy.

What it is

• A castle built between 1532 and 1555.
• Seat of the Kanbe Domain during the Edo period.
• Designated a Mie Prefecture historic site in 1937.
• Central part is now Kanbe Park.

What to see

• Castle ruins preserved within the park.
• Site of a complex-connected style main keep.
• Former residence of the Honda clan.

Read more about Kanbe Castle

Explore the ruins of a large medieval hill castle with deep dry moats.

What it is

• A Japanese castle built around 1555-1558 by the Hosono clan.
• A large-scale medieval hill castle on a 33m hill.
• It was burned down in 1580 after attacks.

What to see

• The main keep site has Ayuta Shrine.
• The castle spanned over 500m east-west and 300m north-south.
• Dry moats were over 10m deep.

Read more about Anō Castle

Explore the historical site of Nagashima Castle, once a pivotal fortress in Ise Province.

What it is

• A former castle in Kuwana District, Ise Province.
• It served as the domain office of the Nagashima Domain.
• Fujiwara no Michiie built a mansion here in 1245.
• Ito Shigeharu rebuilt the castle in 1482.

What to see

• A stone wall remains on the east side.
• A moat remains on the east side.

Read more about Nagashima Castle

Nakiri Castle is a historic castle ruin, offering a glimpse into Japan's feudal past.

What it is

• A Japanese castle built by the Kawatsura clan.
• Captured by Kuki Takayoshi in the Joji era.
• Served as a base for the Kuki clan until 1594.
• Now a park in Shima City, Mie Prefecture.

What to see

• Explore the castle ruins.
• Observe the few remaining stone walls.

Read more about Nakiri Castle

Explore the ruins of a medieval mountain castle, once a key base for the Kudo clan.

What it is

• A medieval Japanese mountain castle.
• Built by Kudo Sukefuji in 1274.
• Served as a base for the Nagano Kudo clan.
• Abandoned in 1570.

What to see

• Castle ruins on a mountain peak.
• Site is 520 meters above sea level.
• Remains of East, Middle, and West castles.

Read more about Nagano Castle (Tsu)