Castles scattered all over Japan offer beautiful scenery in each of the four seasons and are a sightseeing spot that delights our eyes. Among them, we would like to introduce some of the best castles to visit in winter.

Among the many castles in Japan, this article details the highlights of some of the most famous winter sightseeing spots.

This winter, be sure to enjoy the beautiful winter views of castles throughout Japan.

■ Japanese castles with beautiful snowy scenery

Hirosaki Castle （Aomori Prefecture)

Hirosaki Castle is known as one of the best cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan, but it is also located in an area with heavy snowfall, so in winter it can be covered with nearly 1 meter of snow.

The normally greenish-blue roof of the castle tower is covered with pure white snow, providing a different view from usual. The “Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival” is held at Hirosaki Castle. Handmade snow lanterns and miniature snow huts are set up and warm lights illuminate the castle.

There are also a variety of daytime events such as large snow sculptures modeled after historical buildings, stalls, and product stands (selling products). Let's enjoy a full day of fun in the silver world of Hirosaki.

Goryokaku (Hokkaido)

Goryokaku is a fortress built to defend Hakodate, which was opened as a result of the Treaty of Amity between Japan and the United States. It has become one of Hokkaido's most popular tourist destinations.

Although Hakodate is one of the areas in Hokkaido with the least amount of snowfall, it is not unusual for snow to accumulate as much as 1 meter from December to February. The snow that falls in Hakodate turns the trees in the park as well as the restored Hakodate Magistrate's Office building and the frozen moat tops into pure white.

From around the beginning of December, the castle's water moat is illuminated in the “Goryo Star Dream Illumination”. The adjacent Goryokaku Tower is open to visitors until 19:00 during the illumination period. From the observation deck, visitors can see Goryokaku shining like a first-class star in the nightscape of Hakodate.

Tsuruga Castle (Fukushima Prefecture)

Because the Aizu region is a basin, the climate is hot in summer and cold in winter, and it is also designated as a heavy snowfall area. Aizu Wakamatsu City is one of those areas with relatively little snowfall, making it easy to visit. Tsuruga Castle is characterized by its red roof tiles, which were developed in the Tohoku region to prevent freezing and cracking during the cold season, and can be seen covered with snow from around November.

During the “Aizu Picture Candle Festival” in early February, about 10,000 picture candles, one of Aizu's traditional handicrafts, illuminate the snowy landscape of the castle and other parts of the city in a fantastic way.

Matsumoto Castle (Nagano Prefecture)

Matsumoto Castle has a magnificent existing tenshukaku (castle tower), designated as a national treasure. It is also the oldest existing five-story, six-story castle tower, and is popular for its beautiful appearance with the mountains of the Northern Alps in the background.

Matsumoto City in Nagano Prefecture is not an area with much snow, but 10 cm of snow can be observed from January to February. The castle keep of Matsumoto Castle, with its beautiful contrast of black and white, looks stunning in the snowy landscape.

The white-colored Northern Alps also complement the castle, giving it an even more spectacular beauty.

Echizen Ono Castle (Fukui Prefecture)

Echizen Ono Castle is a flat castle standing on Kameyama in the Ono Basin surrounded by mountains on all sides. At the foot of the mountain lies the castle town that flourished as the center of the Oku-Echizen region. On days when the morning mist is thick, the town is shrouded in a sea of clouds, creating a mysterious scene known as “the castle in the sky.

Ono is located in Fukui Prefecture, which has a snowy Sea of Japan-style climate, and is prone to low winter temperatures due to its topography and monsoons, and record snowfalls are sometimes observed in the area. Echizen Ono Castle looks even more charming with white snow piled up on its fieldstone walls.

The “Echizen Ono Winter Story” held at the beginning of February is a highlight of the collaboration of the castle and fireworks, and visitors can also enjoy snow lanterns that fantastically decorate the castle town and food to warm their cold bodies.

Takada Castle (Niigata Prefecture)

Takada Castle is a historical castle located in Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture, and its snowy landscape especially attracts many visitors. Takada Castle was originally built in the Edo period (1603-1867), and today the ruins of the castle are maintained as a park, where visitors can enjoy beautiful scenery in each of the four seasons. In winter, the castle and its surroundings are covered in snow, creating a magical and serene atmosphere.

The snow on the three-story turrets and moat of Takada Castle gives visitors a special feeling of traditional Japanese beauty. At night, the castle is sometimes illuminated, making the silvery-white world stand out even more, giving it an even more fantastic appearance. The snowy landscape of Takada Castle is extremely popular among photographers and tourists alike as a winter wonderland that evokes warmth in the midst of the cold.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

Kanazawa castle （Kanazawa Prefecture)

Kanazawa Castle, located in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, is renowned for its grand history and beautiful scenery. In the winter season, the castle becomes even more captivating. The entire structure is blanketed in snow, transforming it into a world of silver that leaves visitors in awe.

The snow-covered castle walls and tiled roofs highlight the intricate beauty of traditional Japanese architecture, and the castle standing silently in the stillness resembles a painting. The gardens and bridges within Kanazawa Castle Park also don their winter attire, creating a unique atmosphere with the contrast between the white snow and the green trees. When sunlight reflects off the snow, the entire castle glistens, creating an ethereal ambiance.

Visiting Kanazawa Castle in the early morning is highly recommended during winter. The castle, covered in fresh snow and enveloped in undisturbed silence before any footsteps have marked the ground, offers an experience that refreshes the soul. The harmony between the historical presence and the winter landscape makes Kanazawa Castle particularly enchanting at this time of year.

■ Let's go see the beautiful snow-covered castle!

The beautiful castles adorned with a blanket of snow offer a special, seasonal landscape. As you gaze upon the majestic architecture standing against the winter sky, be sure to experience the historical beauty and charm of Japan's castles this winter.

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