9 Castles in Nara worth your time

Explore Kōriyama Castle ruins, a National Historic Site, famous for its cherry blossoms and unique stone walls.

What it is

• A Japanese castle in Yamato Kōriyama, Nara Prefecture.
• First recorded as 'Ganjin no Shiro' in the late 10th century.
• Served as the administrative center for the Kōriyama Domain.
• Designated a National Historic Site in 2022.

What to see

• Many stone walls and moats remain from the demolished castle.
• Stone statues and gravestones are visible in the castle's walls.
• A relocated castle gate exists at Eikei-ji Temple.

When to go

• Designated one of Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Viewing Sites.

Read more about Kōriyama Castle

Explore extensive ruins of a 16th-century mountain castle, once the largest in Yamato Province.

What it is

• A Japanese mountain castle in Tenri City, Nara Prefecture.
• One of Yamato Province's representative mountain castles.
• First appears in historical records in 1507.
• Demolished by Oda Nobunaga's order in 1578.

What to see

• Extensive castle area, largest in Yamato Province.
• Divided into North Castle (main) and South Castle (fort).
• South Castle has defensive facilities like masugata and earthworks.
• Castle spans 1.2 km from north to south.
• Highest point of South Castle is 585.9 meters above sea level.

Read more about Ryūōzan Castle

Explore extensive ruins of a mountain castle, once a strategic base for powerful warlords.

What it is

• A mountain castle on Mt. Shigi, 433m elevation.
• Residence of Kizawa Nagamasa and Matsunaga Hisahide.
• Designated historic site in Nara Prefecture.
• Abandoned after Matsunaga Hisahide's death in 1577.

What to see

• Castle ruins spanning 880m north-south and 600m east-west.
• Over 110 baileys, the largest in Nara Prefecture.
• Ancient mountain castle Takayasu Castle within the area.
• Chogosonshi-ji Temple on the mountainside.

Read more about Shigisan Castle

Kataoka Castle is a historic hill castle ruin in Nara, notable for its large dry moat.

What it is

• A hill castle ruin, also known as Shimomaki Castle.
• Built by Kataoka Kuniharu in the early 16th century.
• Home to the Kataoka clan of Kofuku-ji Ichijoin-kata.
• Attacked multiple times in the 15th and 16th centuries.

What to see

• The main enclosure, 66m north-south and 46m east-west.
• A large dry moat between the main and eastern enclosures.
• The castle was built on a hill 90 meters above sea level.

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Explore a historic flatland castle site with remaining moats and a gate.

What it is

• A Japanese flatland castle, also called Katagiri Castle.
• Known as Koizumi Jin'ya during its domain period.
• Seat of the Koizumi Domain.

What to see

• The main enclosure was surrounded by an inner moat.
• Outer moats include Naginata Pond and Oniwa Pond.
• One castle gate remains at Koizumi Shrine.

Getting there

• 10-minute walk from Yamato-Koizumi Station.

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Explore the remains of a 16th-century mountaintop castle with strategic views.

What it is

• A castle built by Matsunaga Hisahide in 1559.
• It was completed in 1564.
• Enshrined Tamonten, a guardian deity of the north.
• Destroyed in 1576 by Oda Nobunaga's order.

What to see

• Strategic location overlooking Todai-ji and Kofuku-ji Temples.
• Foundation stones and stone walls of the enclosures.
• Site of the main keep with luxurious buildings and a garden.

Read more about Tamon'yama Castle

Explore the ruins of a mountaintop castle and its historic town for a glimpse into samurai-era Japan.

What it is

• Ruins of a mountaintop castle, built by the Akiyama clan.
• Known as Akiyama Castle and Kaguraoka Castle.
• Designated a National Historic Site in 2006.
• Selected as one of the Continued 100 Fine Castles of Japan in 2017.

What to see

• Foundation stone buildings and stone walls from excavations.
• Historic castle town, a Preservation District.

Read more about Uda Matsuyama Castle

Explore Takatori Castle, a National Historic Site and one of Japan's great mountain castles.

What it is

• A National Historic Site in Nara Prefecture.
• One of Japan's three great mountain castles.
• Built by Kuniaki Ochi in 1332.
• Administrative center of the Takatori Domain.

What to see

• Castle ruins on Mount Takatori, 583 meters high.
• Former site of a three-story main keep and small keep.
• Structures relocated to local temples and schools.

Official site

sightseeing2.takatori.info

Read more about Takatori Castle

Explore the historic site of an ancient mountain castle built to defend Japan's capital.

What it is

• An ancient Japanese mountain castle.
• Built in 667 AD during Emperor Tenchi's reign.
• Protected the capital from Tang-Silla allied forces.
• Abolished in 701 AD.

What to see

• Located on the summit of 487-meter Mount Takayasu.
• Excavations found six foundation stone building sites.
• Two sites estimated from the early 8th century.

Read more about Takayasu Castle