13 Castles in Okayama worth your time

Explore Tsuyama Castle ruins, a National Historic Site and one of Japan's top cherry blossom spots.

What it is

• A Hirayama-style castle, also known as Kakuzan Castle.
• One of Japan's three great Hirayama castles.
• Designated a National Historic Site.
• Castle structures were demolished in 1873.

What to see

• Remaining stone walls and building foundation stones.
• Restored Bitchu Yagura and an earthen wall.
• The castle site is now Kakuzan Park.

When to go

• A famous cherry blossom viewing spot.
• One of Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots.

Getting there

• 15-minute walk from Tsuyama Station.

Official site

www.city.tsuyama.lg.jp

Read more about Tsuyama Castle

Explore Ki Castle, an ancient mountain fortress with restored walls and gates, offering a glimpse into 7th-century Japan.

What it is

• An ancient Japanese mountain castle.
• Built in the latter half of the 7th century.
• Designated a National Historic Site in 1986.
• Selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Castles.

What to see

• Restored castle walls and west gate.
• Four gates, a corner tower, and six water gates.
• Seven foundation stone building ruins.
• Castle walls extend for 2.8 kilometers.
• The castle area covers 30 hectares.

Getting there

• Kinojō Visitor Center and parking are available.

Official site

www.city.soja.okayama.jp

Read more about Ki Castle

Explore Takakoshi Castle ruins, a historic mountaintop fort with strategic views.

What it is

• A mountaintop castle built in 1281 by Utsunomiya Sadatsuna.
• Home to the Bitchu Ise clan during the Sengoku period.
• Designated historic site of Ibara City.
• Abandoned after the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600.

What to see

• Castle ruins on Mount Takakoshi, 172 meters above sea level.
• Site of five keeps centered on the main keep.
• Outwork on the southern ridge.
• Views overlooking the old Sanyo Road.

Read more about Takakoshi Castle

Explore extensive ruins of an ancient mountain castle, a National Historic Site with unique earthworks.

What it is

• Ancient Japanese mountain castle ruins.
• Designated a National Historic Site in 2005.
• Built on Ōmeguri-Komeguri Mountain, 199 meters high.

What to see

• Earthworks surrounding the mountain.
• Three stone sluices in the valleys.
• Castle wall 3.2 kilometers in circumference.
• Ichinokido, Ninokido, and Sannokido sluices.

Getting there

• Accessible from Seto Station by foot.

Read more about Ōmeguri-Komeguri Mountain Castle

Okayama Castle, a historic black-lacquered landmark, offers a glimpse into Japan's feudal past.

What it is

• A Japanese castle, also known as Ujo or Kinujo.
• A nationally designated historic site.
• Built on small hills, primarily in teikaku-shiki style.

What to see

• The 4-story, 6-floor complex watchtower.
• Exterior features black lacquer siding.
• Moon-viewing Turret, an important cultural property.
• Nishinomaru Nishite Turret, an important cultural property.

Address

岡山県岡山市北区丸の内2-3-1 Map

Official site

www.city.okayama.jp

Read more about Okayama Castle

Explore a 14th-century mountain castle, now a National Historic Site, with impressive stone remnants and historical significance.

What it is

• A Japanese mountain castle, founded in 1335.
• Converted from the mountain temple Fukuyama-ji.
• Designated a National Historic Site since 1936.
• Located in Soja City, Okayama Prefecture.

What to see

• Stone walls of a castle gate remain.
• See dry moats and stone rows.
• Well ruins are also visible.
• The castle was on Fukuyama mountain, 302 meters high.

Read more about Fukuyama Castle (Sōja)

Japan's only original mountaintop castle, offering unique history and views.

What it is

• A Japanese castle in Okayama Prefecture.
• Also known as Takahashi Castle.
• One of Japan's Top 100 Castles.
• Japan's only existing mountaintop castle.

What to see

• The current keep, built in 1681.
• A two-story turret and part of the earthen wall.
• The castle site, a National Historic Site.
• The castle's cat lord, Sanjuro.

Official site

www.city.takahashi.lg.jp

Read more about Bitchū Matsuyama Castle

Explore Tenjinyama Castle ruins, a mountaintop fortress with historical earthworks and stone walls.

What it is

• A Japanese castle built by Uragami Munekage.
• A renkaku-shiki mountain castle.
• Designated historical site of Okayama Prefecture.
• Abandoned in 1575.

What to see

• Remains of earthworks are visible.
• Remains of stone walls are visible.
• Remains of moats are visible.
• Stone walls and tile fragments from the Ukita period.

Read more about Tenjinyama Castle (Bizen)

Explore Shimotsui Castle ruins, a historic site offering views and a glimpse into Japan's feudal past.

What it is

• A Japanese flatland mountain castle.
• Built by Ukita Hideie between 1592 and 1596.
• Abandoned in 1639 due to a government order.
• Designated an Okayama Prefectural historic site.

What to see

• Remains of stone walls and earthworks.
• A preserved castle gate at Shofuku-ji Temple.
• Overlooks the town of Shimotsui.

Read more about Shimotsui Castle

Kameyama Castle, a historic site, offers a glimpse into Japan's feudal past.

What it is

• A Japanese castle, also known as Numa Castle.
• Designated historic site of Okayama City.
• Built by Nakamura Katsumasa during the Tenbun era.
• Abolished by Kobayakawa Hideaki in 1602.

What to see

• Sotetsu plants on the main keep site.
• Monument marking Ukita Hideie's birthplace.

Read more about Kameyama Castle

Takamatsu Castle is a historic flatland castle ruin, famous for a 1582 water attack.

What it is

• A flatland castle built with earthworks.
• Built by the Ishikawa clan.
• Abolished by the 'One Castle Per Province' order.
• A national historic site in Okayama Prefecture.

What to see

• Castle ruins, a national historic site.
• One of the Continued 100 Fine Castles of Japan.

Address

岡山県岡山市北区高松 Map

Read more about Takamatsu Castle

Explore the overgrown ruins of Kosuge Castle, once a residence for the Ebara Nasu clan.

What it is

• A Japanese castle built by Nasu Muneharu.
• It was a residence for the Ebara Nasu clan.
• Became the main castle for the Ebara Nasu clan.

What to see

• A monument marks the castle ruins.
• The castle site is now overgrown with trees.

Read more about Kosuge Castle

A historic castle site in Okayama Prefecture, notable for its strategic river defense.

What it is

• A former castle, also known as Takada Castle.
• Likely built by Miura Sadatsune.
• Abolished in 1871 due to domain reforms.

What to see

• The Asahi River, which served as a natural moat.

Read more about Katsuyama Castle