Taketa Castle Town & Merchant Houses

A cultural city in Hokuriku that flourished as the castle town of the Kaga domain, where tradition and modernity coexist at Kenroku-en Garden, the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, and Higashi Chaya District. The 2015 Hokuriku Shinkansen dramatically improved access from Tokyo, triggering a tourism surge.

A castle town centered on the National Treasure Matsumoto Castle, with charming retro streets like Nakamachi-dori and Nawate-dori. Popular with mountaineers as a gateway to the Northern Alps, it also offers growing appeal through craft beer and cafe culture.

The central city of Harima, home to World Heritage Himeji Castle. Beyond the castle, it offers appealing tourism resources and food culture including Mount Shosha's Engyo-ji Temple and Himeji-style oden.

A castle town called 'Little Kyoto of San'in.' Koi swim in the moats of Tonomachi Street, and the thousand torii gates of Taikodani Inari Shrine are stunning. Also the birthplace of author Mori Ogai.

A district preserving Edo-period castle town scenery in Kawagoe, Saitama Prefecture, nicknamed 'Little Edo.' Featuring rows of traditional kura (storehouse) buildings and temples alongside landmarks like the Time Bell, it attracts approximately 3.5 million visitors annually. It exemplifies Kanto's premier historical district offering authentic Edo atmosphere.

Matsumoto Castle in Matsumoto, Nagano is one of Japan's five surviving original castles. Its five-story keep, built in 1504, is the oldest of its kind and designated a National Treasure. The surrounding Edo-period castle town is well-preserved, with Nakamachi Street's earthen-walled merchant houses particularly renowned. Reflects the history of Shinshu's development as an economic and cultural center.