castles (Page 3)
From the well-known to the obscure, this year’s annual ranking of top spots has some surprises in store for even the most seasoned travellers.
After months of debate, Nagoya city council approves 50 billion-yen (US$451 million) budget.
The conditions are just right to surround Takeda Castle with a sea of clouds.
Exploring the many ways wood pieces can slot into each other is the most strangely satisfying experience we’ve had today!
Introducing the “Street Museum” smartphone app enhanced with VR contents to make your travels that much more memorable.
How many of the top 20 most popular Japanese castles (according to TripAdvisor) have you been to?
Extremely talented builder needs neither stone, lumber, nor paper for this mind-blowing project.
Centuries-old earthenware plate gets a special assist from a kitty in becoming an ultra-rare, ultra-cute antique.
Nijo Castle is one of Japan’s hottest tourist destinations…but for a truly unique historical tour, you need this Minecraft recreation based on the original design!
For centuries, Japan has taken pride in the talents of its craftsmen, carpenters and woodworkers included. Because of that, you might be surprised to find that some Japanese castles have extremely creaky wooden floors that screech and groan with each step.
How could such slipshod construction have been considered acceptable for some of the most powerful figures in Japanese history? The answer is that the sounds weren’t just tolerated, but desired, as the noise-producing floors functioned as Japan’s earliest automated intruder alarm.
Over the years, Japan has earned a reputation for its awkward command of English, with results ranging from the perplexing to downright hilarious. The country’s translation screw-ups are so common that they’ve even earned their own collective name, “Engrish.”
But for all the sites that poke fun at Engrish, it’s almost impossible to find one that talks about why it happens. So today we’re offering a bit of explanation along with the laughs, as we look at a sign in Japan that informs English-reading passersby that “Today is under construction.”
It’s time once again for travel website Trip Advisor’s list of the best places in Japan, as chosen by overseas visitors to the country. One of the things that makes Japan such a fascinated place to travel is its extreme mix of historical and modern attractions, both of which are represented in the top 30 which includes shrines, sharks, and super-sized robots.
Japan is home to an enormous number of famous ruins and castles, with fascinating histories that transport us back to an era of clan warfare and old allegiances which remain at the heart of local tales today. As strongholds for the Lords and clans of old Japan, many castles have a commanding view of surrounding lands but none more so than this spectacular castle in Hyogo Prefecture. Often referred to as the Machu Picchu of Japan, and looking every bit like Ghibli’s famous floating castle from the animated movie Castle in the Sky, these ruins are expecting an unprecedented number of visitors this year. And with photos as stunning as these, it’s easy to see why.












Massive manga collaboration bringing 100 years of Shueisha manga to Uniqlo T-shirts【Photos】
Majority of Japanese women in survey regret marrying their husband, but that’s only half the story
Japan’s kid-friendly ski program is now selling Pikachu snowboards for a limited time only
Totoro cream puffs and Catbus cookies are finally available in downtown Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
The Yellow Lucky Bag from Village Vanguard is so bad it may damage Japan-US relations
Draw like a Studio Ghibli anime artist with exclusive watercolour set approved by Hayao Miyazaki
Poké Ball cakes here for limited but long time to celebrate Pokémon franchise’s 30th anniversary
Horror pizza lives! The Bloody Zombino returns to Aoki’s Pizza
Muji Hotel Ginza: New accommodation in Tokyo takes Japanese minimalism to the next level
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Japanese women showing rebounding interest in giving Valentine’s Day chocolate【Survey】
Princess Mononoke magnets return just in time to treat yourself to awesome anime decorations
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
What’s inside Starbucks Japan’s fukubukuro lucky bag for 2026?
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
The Yellow Lucky Bag from Village Vanguard is so bad it may damage Japan-US relations
Draw like a Studio Ghibli anime artist with exclusive watercolour set approved by Hayao Miyazaki
Poké Ball cakes here for limited but long time to celebrate Pokémon franchise’s 30th anniversary
Horror pizza lives! The Bloody Zombino returns to Aoki’s Pizza
Muji Hotel Ginza: New accommodation in Tokyo takes Japanese minimalism to the next level
Sailor Uranus & Neptune make it to LogoTV’s character semi-finals
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
Eat Kuroge Wagyu beef at this Japanese restaurant in Ginza for less than 10 bucks!
Dragon Quest Burgers and Slime drinks are coming to McDonald’s Japan【Video】
The etiquette rules for visiting Shinto shrines in Japan
Ruru Cafe Shibuya wows customers by serving coffee and sweets on unique water tables
Roland, king of Japan’s host club scene, shows us his self-isolation routine【Video】