List of National Treasures of Japan (castles)

The Japanese Sengoku period from the mid-15th to early 17th century was a time of nearly continual military conflict.

Powerful military lords known as daimyōs, such as Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi or Tokugawa Ieyasu, struggled to unify Japan.

Because of the expense of building such a lavish structure, castles in the style of Azuchi, functioned also to highlight the power and prestige of the daimyōs.

Generally the main keep or tenshu was positioned at the highest point, surrounded by a series of interlocking baileys with walls, small towers and pathways.

[2][9] By the time of the Meiji Restoration in the late 19th century, castles were in a state of disuse and neglect.

These castle structures adhere to the current definition, and were designated national treasures when the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties was implemented on June 9, 1951.

The items are selected by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology based on their "especially high historical or artistic value".

The sōtōgata (層塔型)[19] style represented by the keep of Matsumoto Castle has a virtually square foundation.

At Himeji Castle three watch towers, four connecting galleries and the main donjon enclose a small courtyard.