A Race Across Japan to See its Last Original Castles

Six cities in one week, ten train transfers, and over 400 years of history (3,000 if you count the dip in Japan’s oldest hot spring baths.) 2010 was when I had my life-changing first trip to Japan and five trips in, I’m gradually diving deeper into its more isolated pockets. Go here for my story for GaijinPot.com, Tokyo.

View of mountains from the back of Uwajima Castle in Ehime prefecture — View from the back of Uwajima Castle in Ehime prefecture

View of the sea and coast from the front of Uwajima Castle — View of the Uwa Sea from the front of Uwajima Castle

Local Uwajima food tai-meshi is raw sea bream dipped in egg and soy sauce broth from Kadoya restaurant — Local Uwajima dish, tai-meshi – raw sea bream dipped in raw egg and soy sauce flavored broth, served over rice. Kadoya restaurant.

owner of Marugame Guesthouse Fuku Fuku — Naomi Shiota from Marugame’s Guesthouse Fuku Fuku and castle guide Toru Tsutsumi

Katsuo no tataki is a Kochi local food and is bonito tuna seared black on the outside over straw fire — Local Kochi dish, katsuo no tataki – skipjack tuna seared over rice straw fire. From Hirome Market.

chairlift ride up to Matsuyama Castle in Japan — I recommend taking the chairlift up to Matsuyama Castle

view from the top of Matsuyama Caslte — View from the top of Matsuyama Castle

More here in the story

2 thoughts on “A Race Across Japan to See its Last Original Castles”

Japan - Culture and History. says:

January 21, 2019 at 1:49 pm

Good job. I’ve been to about 17 castles but only two originals. Himeji and Hikone. Reading your post has encouraged me to explore and visit more originals. Also, I’m a member of a Japanese castle group on FB if you’d like to join, it’s very good. Simply called Japanese Castles.

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1. Bites of Oishii says:
  
  January 22, 2019 at 12:34 am
  
  Thank you! Someone recently recommended Hirosaki Castle and another person said Aomori is their favourite part of Japan so I hope to do that one next. I’m going to check out the J Castles page too – see you there!
  
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