Japan boasts an expansive history that can be discovered all across its landmass. You’ll find plenty of historic locations that showcase feudal Japan at Himeji Castle or peace in Hiroshima; all provide unforgettable experiences.
The Kitamaebune Ship Museum in Sakata brings to life the lives of seafaring merchants who sailed fragile kitamaebune ships on the Sea of Japan, while Kanazawa’s geisha district offers visitors an intriguing glimpse into its past.
Fukuoka Castle
Fukuoka Castle, also known as Maizuru Castle, is one of Kyushu’s hidden treasures with deep historical and cultural significance. Visitors to Fukuoka Castle may catch a glimpse into Japan’s feudal past with sturdy stone walls and moats designed for strong defense.
Kuroda Nagamasa, Lord of Chikuzen Domain (current-day Fukuoka Prefecture), built the castle as a show of his support for Tokugawa Ieyasu in battle of Sekigahara and would ultimately rule until its abolition in 1870.
As part of Maizuru Park in Fukuoka City, today the castle ruins are part of Maizuru Park and include other notable structures, like Heiwadai baseball stadium and Fukuoka City Museum of Art. Visitors to Maizuru Park may explore its inner courtyard, gates and turrets (yagura), inner courtyard garden as well as its 47 yagura (turrets) and 12 gates freely at their leisure – making this massive complex comparable to others like Himeji or Osaka!
Kiyomizudera Temple
Kiyomizudera Temple stands as an iconic icon of Kyoto’s spiritual history and culture, offering visitors not only beautiful architecture, but also providing access to Japan’s vibrant cultural traditions.
The Otowa-no-Taki waterfall at this temple grounds is famous for its purity, with drinking from any of its three jets believed to bring health, longevity and success in love and business. UNESCO World Heritage site’s wooden stage is renowned for offering panoramic views of Kyoto emerging from an ocean of trees, cherry and maple branches and cherry blossoms. Constructed without nails for maximum craftsmanship and daring design. Drinking its waters from any of its three jets may grant health, longevity and success in love and business endeavours! This World Heritage site stands alone when it comes to both craftsmanship and daring design compared with others sites that use nails; both in construction techniques praised as well as daring design compared with rival sites ranked higher for both craftsmanship and daring design! UNESCO World Heritage site: wooden stage built without nails for maximum panoramic views over Kyoto rising from an expanse of trees covered by cherry and maple branches from all directions from Japan. Built without nails for maximum impactful views it was constructed without nails which was both amazing feat of both craftsmanship as well as daring design. Otowa-no-Taki waterfall situated within temple grounds is revered for purity – drinking from one of its three jets is believed to bring both health, longevity as well as success in love and business endeavour.
Kiyomizudera’s Zuigu Hall may be its most captivating feature, despite all of its wonders. Entry requires a coin and shoes must be removed prior to entering. Careful exploration reveals an entrance that leads to Daizuigu Bosatsu – a stone statue which resembles the female reproductive tract – where one may enter its “womb.”
Peace Memorial Park
Peace Memorial Park was originally known as Nakajima District before the atomic bomb reshaped Hiroshima’s fate, housing residential homes populated with residents. Now under Kenzo Tange’s direction as its designer, its features include the Atomic Bomb Dome – now recognized as a World Heritage site by UNESCO; Hiroshima Victims Memorial Cenotaph and Museum as well as Peace Memorial Museum.
The Children’s Peace Monument is an exquisite piece of artwork dedicated to Sadako Sasaki, who died from leukemia caused by radiation exposure. This monument stands as a powerful reminder of what war can cost society.
The Atomic Bomb Dome, once the Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall Sangyo Shoreikan, stands as an icon of nuclear weapons’ devastation. Its exposed steel frame remains almost exactly as it did the day of the blast – a testament to physics itself. Tange Kenzo designed nearby Peace Memorial Museum offers some unexpectedly optimistic exhibits designed to shock while simultaneously inspiring hope about a brighter future.
Hiroshima
Hiroshima may be best known for the devastating nuclear bombing that took place there during World War II, yet the city still boasts ancient vestiges from Japan’s feudal period, such as Hiroshima Castle – popularly dubbed Carp Castle due to its striking appearance – making a visit worthwhile and becoming one of the top castles in Japan.
Mori Terumoto was a prominent military commander during the Sengoku period who constructed an original castle here in 1589. However, after losing in battle to Tokugawa Ieyasu at Sekigahara and being stripped of many of his domains such as Hiroshima. Subsequently it became home to both Fukushima and Asano clans until eventually its demolition occurred in 1630.
Hiroshima Castle was rebuilt after World War II ended as an integral symbol of Hiroshima’s postwar narrative as a city of peace. Rebuilt in 1958, its donjon now hosts historical exhibitions. Additionally, you’ll find beautiful traces of its original structure as well as stunning reconstructed sections.
