8 Castles in Toyama worth your time

Explore Takaoka Castle Park, a historic site and top cherry blossom spot, easily accessible from Takaoka Station.

What it is

• A Japanese flatland castle, one of Japan's Top 100 Castles.
• Construction began in 1609 by Maeda Toshinaga.
• Abandoned in 1615 due to the 'One Castle Per Province' order.
• Castle ruins are now Takaoka Kojō Park, a National Historic Site.

What to see

• Five castle enclosures: Honmaru, Ninomaru, Sannomaru, Akemaru, Kajimaru.
• Artificial moats cover about 30% of the total area.
• Takaoka Kojō Park, established on July 14, 1875.

When to go

• Famous for cherry blossoms, a Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spot.

Getting there

• A 10-minute walk from Takaoka Station.

Official site

www.kojyo.sakura.ne.jp

Read more about Takaoka Castle

Explore the well-preserved ruins of a 16th-century Japanese castle, now a historic park.

What it is

• A former Japanese castle in Etchu Province.
• First appeared in historical records in 1585.
• Designated a National Historic Site in 1981.
• Opened as a historic park in 1993.

What to see

• Valuable castle site with original remains.
• Site measures 150 meters east-west and 240 meters north-south.
• Three enclosures: Honmaru, Ninomaru, and Uwa-guruwa.
• Moat surrounded the castle, fed by the Idagawa River.
• Honmaru has very wide earthworks, about 14 meters at the base.

Read more about Yasuda Castle

Explore historic mountain castle ruins with unique earthworks and views, a Uozu City historic site.

What it is

• A Japanese mountain castle, also called Hagijo Castle.
• Built by the Uesugi clan in 1554.
• Used by Uesugi Kenshin as a base for attacking Etchu.
• A Uozu City designated historic site.

What to see

• Horikiri and earthworks remain.
• Sites of the main enclosure and second enclosure.
• A stone monument for the castle ruins.
• Yayoi pottery was excavated from the mountaintop.

Getting there

• About 7km from Uozu Station.

Read more about Tenjin'yama Castle

Uozu Castle is a historic flatland castle site known for a famous 1582 siege.

What it is

• A Japanese flatland castle, also called Ozu or Oto Castle.
• Built in 1335 by Shiina Sonpachi Nyudo.
• A branch castle of Matsukura Castle.
• Designated a historic site by Uozu City.

What to see

• Few remains of the castle exist today.
• The main castle had double moats and stone walls.
• It was surrounded by rivers, Toyama Bay, and a marsh.

Read more about Uozu Castle

Explore a 16th-century fortified manor house site with visible earthworks and a shrine.

What it is

• A small flatland castle, nearly 30m square.
• Built by Kobayashi Noriyuki in the Eisho era.
• Abandoned in 1507, now a shrine site.

What to see

• Shinnosha Shrine stands on the elevated grounds.
• Clearly visible earthworks around the baileys.
• A moat surrounded the earthworks.
• A stone monument and information board are present.

Read more about Munemori Fortified Manor House

Explore historic mountain castle ruins with panoramic views and a rich samurai past.

What it is

• A Japanese mountain castle, built around 1335.
• Also known as Kanamayama Castle or Kakuma Castle.
• Residence of the Shiina clan.
• One of the three great mountain castles of Etchu.

What to see

• Castle ruins on the summit of Mt. Matsukura.
• Main keep ruins are visible.
• A monument and information board mark the site.

Read more about Matsukura Castle

Toyama Castle is a historic flatland castle, once home to powerful samurai, offering a glimpse into Japan's feudal past.

What it is

• A Japanese flatland castle, also called Ukishiro or Azumijo.
• Built around 1543 by Jinbo Nagamoto.
• Residence of the Maeda family of the Toyama Domain.
• One of the Continued Top 100 Japanese Castles.

What to see

• The main keep and part of the west bailey remain.
• The castle used the Jinzu River for defense.

Read more about Toyama Castle

Explore a historic mountain castle ruin, once a key stronghold, now a scenic park.

What it is

• A Japanese mountain castle, formerly Wada Castle.
• A National Historic Site since 2009.
• One of the Continued 100 Fine Castles of Japan.
• Opened as Masuyama Castle Ruins Park in 1976.

What to see

• Castle ruins on a mountain by the Wadagawa River.
• Highest point of the ruins is 124 meters.

Read more about Masuyama Castle