10 Castles in Tokyo worth your time
Japan Gems
Tokyo Prefecture has six castles, including Setagaya Castle and Edo Castle. These sites offer a glimpse into Japan's historical architecture.
Tokyo has 10 castles on Japan Gems. Below are the 10 we can tell you the most about — each one written up in English from Japanese sources, with what to see and how to get there. See all castles in Tokyo.
01
Hachiōji Castle
TOKYO · CASTLE 八王子城
Explore the ruins of a 16th-century mountain castle, a significant historical site.
What it is
- A Japanese mountain castle built by Hōjō Ujiteru.
- Construction began in 1571, becoming his base in 1587.
- A military stronghold for the Hōjō clan in western Kantō.
- Designated a National Historic Site in 1951.
What to see
- Castle ruins on Mount Fukasawa (Shiroyama).
- Guidance facility for the castle ruins.
- Recognized as a Japan Heritage site in 2020.
- One of Japan's Top 100 Castles.
Getting there
- Accessible by bus from Takao Station.
02
Shakujii Castle
TOKYO · CASTLE 石神井城
Explore Shakujii Castle ruins, a Tokyo historic site, for insights into medieval Japanese clan history.
What it is
- A Japanese castle built by the Toshima clan.
- A Tokyo Metropolitan Historic Site.
- Served as a base for the Toshima clan.
- Artifacts found date from the 12th century onwards.
What to see
- Remains of the inner bailey moat and earthworks.
- Multiple enclosures revealed by excavations.
- Castle site on a tongue-shaped plateau.
- Protected by Shakujii River and Sanpoji Pond.
- Excavated items displayed at Shakujii Park Furusato Bunka-kan.
03
Jindaiji Castle
TOKYO · CASTLE 深大寺城
Explore the remains of a 15th-century castle, a National Historic Site in Tokyo.
What it is
- A Japanese castle built in the 15th century.
- Used by the Ogigayatsu Uesugi clan as a defense line.
- Designated a National Historic Site.
- Lost its military value in 1537.
What to see
- The castle used a linear layout with three baileys.
- Main bailey was 50m east-west and 90m north-south.
- Main bailey was surrounded by an earthen wall.
- Located within the Jindai Botanical Park Aquatic Plant Garden.
04
Shirokane Manor Grounds
TOKYO · CASTLE 白金長者屋敷
Explore historic grounds of a former manor, now a National Natural Monument and Historic Site.
What it is
- Historic grounds of a former manor, now a protected site.
- Designated a National Natural Monument and Historic Site.
- Designation occurred on April 12, 1949.
- Part of the National Museum of Nature and Science.
What to see
- Large earthwork with a triangular cross-section.
- Site measures 400 meters east-west, 500 meters north-south.
- Located on the Musashino Plateau, 32 meters above sea level.
- Address
- 東京都港区白金台5丁目 Map
05
Takiyama Castle
TOKYO · CASTLE 滝山城
Explore extensive castle ruins set in nature, a significant example of Sengoku period defense.
What it is
- A Japanese castle from the Sengoku period.
- Residence of the Oishi clan and Hojo Ujiteru.
- Designated a National Historic Site since 1951.
- Maintained as Takiyama Castle Ruins Park.
What to see
- Remains of the main keep, secondary keeps, and moats.
- Castle structure influenced Yamanaka and Hachioji Castles.
- Utilized complex terrain of the Kasumi Hills.
- Part of Takiyama Natural Park.
- Official site
- tamaparks.com
06
Akatsuka Castle
TOKYO · CASTLE 赤塚城
Explore Akatsuka Castle ruins, a medieval hirayama castle with earthworks and moats, now part of Akatsuka Park.
What it is
- A Japanese castle built in 1456.
- Constructed by Chiba Yorizane.
- Controlled land and water transportation.
- Became a ruined castle in 1590.
What to see
- Castle ruins within Akatsuka Park.
- Earthworks and dry moats.
- Water moats, including Akatsuka Tameike Park.
- Site of the main keep on a plateau.
07
Kasai Castle
TOKYO · CASTLE 葛西城
Explore the ruins of a 15th-century Tokyo castle, a significant historical site.
What it is
- A medieval Japanese castle in Tokyo.
- Built as an Uesugi stronghold in the mid-15th century.
- Designated a Tokyo Metropolitan Historic Site in 1998.
- An important base for advancing into Shimosa Province.
What to see
- Excavated castle remains confirmed in 1972.
- Site of a residence called Aoto Goten.
08
Setagaya Castle
TOKYO · CASTLE 世田谷城
Explore the ruins of a 14th-century flatland castle, once home to the Kira clan.
What it is
- A Japanese flatland castle.
- Built by the Kira clan.
- Kira Haruie was given the land in 1366.
- Abandoned after the 1590 Odawara campaign.
What to see
- Site occupied a tongue-shaped plateau.
- Karasuyama River formed a natural moat.
- Dry moat and earthworks remain in the park.
09
Edo Castle
TOKYO · CASTLE 江戸城
Edo Castle was the seat of the Edo Shogunate and residence of shoguns, a significant historical site.
What it is
- Seat of the Edo Shogunate.
- Residence for 15 generations of Tokugawa shoguns.
- Built by Ota Dokan in 1457.
- Also known as Chiyoda Castle.
What to see
- Largest castle in Japan by area.
- Outer moat remains are a national historic site.
- Kitanomaru is open as Kitanomaru Park.
- Official site
- fng.or.jp
10
Shibuya Castle
TOKYO · CASTLE 渋谷城
Visit the site of Shibuya Castle, now a shrine, to see a castle relic.
What it is
- Site of Shibuya Castle, built in 1092.
- Built by the Shibuya clan.
- Destroyed in 1524 by Hojo forces.
- Konnoh Hachimangu Shrine now stands here.
What to see
- A stone believed to be from the castle.
- The Konnoh Hachimangu Shrine.