During Japan’s Sengoku “Warring States” era (1467-1615), castles were constructed, bolstered and fortified all across the Japanese archipelago, resulting in approximately 5,000 individual keeps.

In 1853, following two centuries of near complete isolation, a fleet of U.S. Navy ships forced Japan to open to trade at the point of a cannon. Yet certain aspects of the country have always remained ...

The city is accepting applications for the nighttime rental of Gifu Castle’s main keep on Nov 21. Read more at ...

During Japan’s Sengoku “Warring States” era (1467-1615), castles were constructed, bolstered and fortified all across the Japanese archipelago, resulting in approximately 5,000 individual keeps.

More than 25,000 castles are said to have been built in Japan throughout its history. They served as residences, centers of political power, strongholds where battles were fought, and symbols of ...

While traveling through Japan in May, I stumbled upon the annual Himeji Castle Festival. One of the city’s significant events is a multi-day celebration of the samurai heritage and culture here. Even ...