Top 10 Important Samurai Castles

[@ivegotajousyaccent99]

Binge watched your entire samurai history series, up to and including the Date Masamune episode. I’ve loved the samurai and Japanese history for years, and your channel is full of it. Here’s a sub.

[@manjitahzan9577]

I'm so glad that you pick Osaka Castle as number one, just as I would pick ! I think it's so unique because it's located at the same great siege of Ishiyama Honganji which maybe the longest siege in Sengoku period. It's also where the famous Sanada Maru being constructed to hold of the Tokugawa forces during the Siege of Osaka. Truly the epitome of Sengoku Era castle !

[@JC-uz3ey]

Azuchi Castle was just a tragic castle, representing broken dreams and unflfilled wishes.

[@nivashsoma]

I would try to add in Ueda castle somewhere in there for the failed sieges by the Tokugawa that happened there

[@TheShogunate]

I completely agree, but I also attribute those victories more to the success of the Sanada tactics and Tokugawa stupidity haha

[@ciello___8307]

ueda was more of a fort right? it wasn't a grand castle like osaka, for example

[@hobbesrichter5377]

Great list! I've been a longtime Japanese history buff and am just discovering your channel. The quality and breadth of the content is amazing! Thank you for taking the time to create such outstanding videos. I wish I could subscribe more than once...

[@kuroneko7022]

OMG Japanese architecture is amazing!! Such structures from so long ago is breathtaking!!!

[@michaelmorris6076]

Omg talk about a throw back, MXC was my favorite show to watch when i stayed up late as a middle schooler so funny lol

[@giantred]

Same lol The most funny thing to me is that that show went off the air in the 80s but I do not know a single person from the west (Myself included) who knew that until recently.

[@Seawalls]

Kenny Blankenship and Vic Romano!!

[@dagr8warren]

You forgot captain tenille

[@4Timesdafunky]

I watched a Filipino Dubbed version of Takeshi's Castle in the late 80's and watched it again when Spike aired it as MXC.

[@citizenVader]

I would absolutely love to see these castles. Japan is such a beautiful country..

[@SengokuStudies]

I have been to a few of these castles. I actually went Odawara with a friend from Australia who married into and was adopted by a family that used to serve the Hojo back in the Sengoku Period. He is not Japanese at all, not even part, but he has a legal Japanese name, is legally Japanese, and all that stuff.

[@TheShogunate]

Well if I was him I would get my wife's father to name me a Samurai. Even though it wouldn't really count haha, just would be cool to say

[@SengokuStudies]

@@TheShogunate Well that is not an option any more since the samurai no longer exist. However, since he is the heir to the family name now, he will inherit the swords, armor, documents, and whatever else they have from their family's samurai days.

[@neroatlas9121]

Odawara is incredible mate

[@efraim6960]

@@SengokuStudies oh shit that's a lot of cool stuff

[@nor0845]

I have to say this was an excellent presentation. Good content and visually beautiful to look at. Well done, thank you for posting.

[@blackops2960]

Number 1 Takeshi's castle!! Everyone agrees with that*

[@elkhaqelfida5972]

there are more people landed on moon than those who win Takeshi castle

[@michaelbandada9887]

I think Takeshi Kitano should build a real castle where he can stay and use it in many ways like a museum, a studio or even have it loaned to be used as a castle for any taiga drama or jidaigeki film that is going to be made

[@andrewbaggley276]

Have been watching your series with great joy and anticipation, and so very much appreciate the personal input on historic points and the humourous asides. As a confirmed Nihonophile white boy, being able to watch these superbly researched, considered and HUMAN insights on an otherwise "outside" culture puts Japan, ancient and modern alike, almost within touching distance. All greatest thanks, and will definitely continue perusing your work.

[@GIGroundNPound]

EXCELLENT video as always sir! I really enjoy your content man! I cannot get enough of your Sengoku Jidai series!

[@cam3905]

I love how you put way of the samurai 3 music in the video that game is awesome

[@Pericalypsis]

I've visited 7 of the castles in your top 10: Hiroshima, Nijo, Gifu, Himeji, Odawara, Edo, and Osaka castles. I agree with most of your list, though I would also consider Fushimi, Iwamura (visited, marvellous place), Tottori (visited) and Takamatsu. The castles of Shikoku tend to be better preserved (Matsuyama is magnificent), a shame we can't find space for one of them in this list. If not for covid-19, I'd be visiting more castles this autumn. :(

[@kimrothe2745]

Matsuyama is pretty exceptional as an original. I'd also suggest Kumamoto in Kyushu is up there as while the tenshu is a recreation (still a number of original turrents), the original grounds, and extents of the castle are easily interpretable in a visit. Kumamoto has committed preserving and upgrading the place so getting better all the time. Many of the places provided have had the outer grounds eaten up by the new cities coming up around them.

[@bkjeong4302]

@@kimrothe2745 Kumamoto also actually proved to be just as impregnable as intended even in the late 1800s. AFTER much of it had already been burnt down days prior to the start of the siege.

[@isaacwun8110]

In a recent visit to Japan I have visited the Odawara castle, it is magnificent, I still used it as the back ground picture for phone home page

[@Nindrhu]

Oh my god you mentioned Takeshi's Castle, that made my day, thank you!

[@cheezyridr]

you've done it to me again. before watching the video, i thought of my own list, only to like yours much better. thanks for the laugh with takeshi's castle, it was completely unexpected.

[@alis8409]

すごく詳しいんですね！日本の城をこんなわかりやすく説明していただきありがとうございます。

[@jeffreysams3348]

Every year for 1 week they let the common folk (and us gaijin as well) into the inner areas on Edo castle. The foundation of the old tenshu is very cool and they point out where (there is just grass now) the buildings, including Ooku 大奥 used to stand.

[@samcarter565]

I’ve learned more from this channel than any channel I’ve ever watched on this subject.

[@jaojmnhzhzm]

What impresses me most about Osaka castle is the sheer enormity of its entire castle complex in which a visitor may spend an entire day there and not see even half of it.

[@jankramolis8658]

Again absolutely lovely video. You are the best japanese history yt ever👍👍👍👍

[@atomixfang]

Indeed Takeshi's castle has a legacy rivalled by none. Thanks for the top 10. My next trip to japan will be planned on the sites mentioned in this list.

[@korosuke1788]

I love this channel! :D My favourite!

[@azarishiba2559]

Based mainly on architecture and condition of preservation, I would have placed Himeji castle in number 1 (is the best samurai castle I think, I hope I can visit it at some time), or at least number 2 after Azuchi Castle, and then put here Matsumoto and Kumamoto, and many others of Shikoku great island. But, for historical importance, I agree with you. Although I have put Ueda somewhere there too XD It's a shame Ueda no longer has its tenshuukaku, though. Osaka Castle is indeed important, no castle saw a war so complex and big as Siege of Osaka; and as a Yukimura fan, and having actually visited it, Osaka Castle has a special place in my heart since it was the first Japanese Castle I was at. However, the tenshuukaku was rebuilt oddly, with a lot of inaccuracies, and in the inside it is a modern and incredible museum, yet it doesn't have the feeling of being a samurai castle at all (it has even an elevator and holographic items).

[@anicitra5927]

Seeing Gifu Castle (Inabayama Castle) suddenly remember PlayStation 2 game Onimusha Warlords

[@saidtoshimaru1832]

Wow, I expected Kumamoto castle to be in the list. A castle that has not only survived, but actually saw combat in 1877, more than 250 years it was built, and actually "worked", none of the attackers, even with more modern weapons, made it through.

[@旭球]

Yeah, the original Kumamoto Castle was gorgeous. I believe the fighting you mentioned directly led to most of the original structures burning down though, and then the rest was fully leveled by a large earthquake about 10 years later.

[@Keithphotorama]

For some reason I have always been attracted to the stone walls of these castles. I wish to see step-by-step how these walls were made and the foundation of the castle on top. Thank you

[@frodej6640]

there is a video on Dry Stone TV, a garden scale, but it gives you an idea

[@galren208]

Another great video. That number 1 fakeout got a good laugh out of me.

[@jimross7648]

Basically I agree with most of the castles that you have chosen for your list. I may quibble a bit on the order but that is partially personal preference. The only omission that I see is that the minor fortification of Sunpu Castle not being on list. Sunpu is important for it's close ties to Tokugawa Ieyasu both before and definitely after becoming Shogun. After his retirement as official Shogun in 1605, until his death in 1616, Sunpu was where Ieyasu lived, and ran his shadow government from. Sunpu remained a major administrative center during the entire Tokugawa Shogunate. Therefore, on importance scale I feel it deserves consideration, since most assume that Tokugawa Ieyasu was Japan's greatest Shogun and unifier, and it was at Sunpu that he developed, and spent much of his life. That alone should makes Sunpu an important castle. Although on pure aesthetics of all Ieyasu's former residences I would have chosen Nijo. Having walked the ruins of Edo, I can only imagine that at the height of it's importance, it must have been amazing.

[@yungo1rst]

this helped a lot for the pathfinder campaign i am trying to map for relative time periods.

[@thedarknerd1453]

Awesome video man! Always love when you post!

[@Vaterunser904]

Todos los castillos presentados en el video acompañados de la historia que cuenta el narrador basada en hechos historicos tienen un valor sagrado gracias

[@jeffreysams3348]

Nijo is beautiful Not sure if I would put it on my list for castles, but it is awesome to see

[@X50lions]

I pretty damn spot on list if you ask me. The only ones I would say would be maybe Ichijōdani Castle due to it being really more of a residential place and that was a little ahead of it's time and Odani castle but I just kinda like the Azai clan haha great vid as always.

[@LandonClimbs]

Thank you for sharing wow

[@MilitaristTurkcu]

Thank you for doing this

[@Chingaez]

Been to both Himeji Castle and Osaka Castle last year ago. They are amazing.

[@matthewct8167]

Another great video

[@Senovitj]

Good list! Watched the video, while taking a break from battling the Chosokabe, as Hattori, in Shogun 2. Out of curiousity I looked up Kochi Castle in Tosa Province. It was built by Yamauchi Kazutoy. "Much of the original fortress burned down in 1727; it was reconstructed between 1729 and 1753 in the original style. During the Boshin War, Kōchi escaped any damage, and the castle was also exempted from the post-Meiji restoration orders to destroy all remaining feudal fortifications.The castle also survived World War 2 unscathed, and underwent major restoration from 1948 to 1959. Though no battles were fought at the castle, it is noteworthy because the castle is the original structure, and not a post-war replica. It is also the only castle in Japan to retain both its original tenshu, or keep, and its palace, the residence of the local daimyō. In fact, it is the only castle to have all the original buildings in the honmaru, or innermost ring of defense, still standing." I find it important in the sense of it surviving unscathed to our time.

[@djyppo]

I think that the Tsuruga castle was also pretty important for the history of japan, as Aizu and the Boshin war is seen as a stepping stone for the start of the Imperial era.

[@UnicornGamingRX03]

From my visit to Japan twice before covid, I would rank them as follows: 4: Imperial Palace in Tokyo (only the outer walls with no reconstructed Tenshu , 3: Nijo Castle in Kyoto (Has many of the traditional buildings but no Tenshu , 2: Osaka Castle (nice exteriors but the interiors are completely modern as a museum and no traditional structures inside) and then 1: Himeji Castle in Himeji City (Many traditional buildings plus did a 2 hour fb stream and the garden Koko-en). Himeji hands down from my visit as being the best Sengoku Tenshu I have ever been to.

[@nemesis3587]

I don't know much about castles but list is really good. Maybe I could add some honorable mentions. Aoba Castle: It took my interest in Nioh game. Is it truely have no main tower, just show no hostility to Tokugawa? Tachiban Castle: It gave the name the clan, interesting story and I'm curious about its ties with original Tachibana Clan. Odani Castle: Azai's last stand. Oshi Castle: Famous floating castle. How it stand against Mitsunari is truely impressive. Kawagoe Castle: Fall of the Ogigayatsu branch of Uesugi. Sawayama Castle: Nioh reference again. The game mentions it is important for Mitsunari and even mentions too good for him. Fushimi Castle: Torii Mototada's heroic last stand. One of the key events effected Sekigahara.

[@mojowarrior4578]

I agree with you on most points in the video, but I think Edo Castle is the best of all time due to its size, defensive capabilities, status and since it is still officially the residence of the head of state. Although I would say Osaka Castle is prettier. Great video very interesting 👍

[@DBears1582]

I like to add Fushimi Castle for it is where Torii Mototada held Ishida Mitsunari's forces. If he had succeeded on taking the castle as soon as possible, then Tokugawa wouldn't be able to prepare for the Battle at Sekigahara

[@loveofmangos001]

It was irrelevant. Kobayakawa's betrayal won Sekigahara for the Tokugawa/Eastern Army.

[@DBears1582]

@@loveofmangos001 No its not irelevant. Kobayakawa's betrayal is not a guarantee. The fact Ieyasu resorted to firing his cannons on Kobayakawa's position goes to show that even him knows hes in danger cause of Kobayakawa's strategic position. So he rather eliminate him than to risk being flanked. Besides his betrayal is a bit late as most of Ishida's allies have turned against him during the battle. This betrayal is juat a bonus imo. If Ieyasu soley rely on the betraying generals and hasnt prepared his army would you think they still betray? Thats why IMO the Battle of Fushimi Castle is underrated.

[@lucth16]

I've visited quite a few castles in Japan (and Shiro ato sites too) If corona could leave, I'd like to visit some more... EDIT: If you can, go visit Odawara castle! Been there 3 times and can't wait to go again!

[@SengokuStudies]

Nagoya Castle should be getting interesting. One of my friends works with the Aichi and Nagoya governments, and was part of the team that worked to get the goten (palace) rebuilt in an authentic manner a while back. They are now in the process of rebuilding the tenshu in an authentic manner as well. It is to be rebuilt as it would have originally been under the Tokugawa (rather than a concrete reproduction that is really just a museum that looks like a castle). Once that is completed, the tenshu and the goten should be accurate representations of how the castle looked inside and out hundreds of years ago.

[@chibivesicle9612]

Agreed! I first visited Nagoya castle in 2012 while I was in town for work and got to see an nice byoubu screen exhibit for an extra 200 yen or something that in the museum. It was the second best display of byoubu screens I had seen with the first one being at the Cleveland musuem of art around 2002 or so. The goten was currently being rebuilt when I was visiting and meandered around the grounds. The second time I was able to visit with a friend was in 2017 and the goten had been rebuilt and it was amazing! The fact that they replicated the interior decorations with photos blew my mind and I absolutely loved the room with the tigers. I also may have bought a plushie golden dophin shachihoko, which my friend calls the golden ebi as a joke for her. It all started out with a request for a 'golden ebi' by her.

[@whisthpo]

As a Big fan of James Clavells 'Shogun', here is a list of filming locations. Hikone Castle, Hikone, Shiga Prefecture (Toranaga's Castle) Himeji Castle, Himeji, Hyogo Fushimi Castle, Fushimi District, Kyoto

[@TheIlustrado]

16:50 ahh I see you're a man of culture as well...

[@angieroxy7550]

I Swear, these Castles in Japan would make a Great Place to Defend yourself from a Horde of Zombies in Japan.

[@khal7702]

Hope Azuchi castle is on the list! Anyhow, ready to see what you think.

[@shugyosha7924]

Visited Osaka Castle last week!

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

Another amazing video! This was awesome. I want to go to Gifu. I haven't seen that one yet.

[@castlesforsale]

Hi, great video. Very interesting

[@旭球]

Gassantoda Castle remains an amazing site today. Although it was, if I understand correctly, more or less directly replaced by Matsue Castle (one of the 12 original surviving tenshu - visit it as well!), the sheer scale of the operation is crazy. Despite having lacked structures for hundreds of years, most of the walls and some stairs survive and climb hundreds of meters up the mountain to the place where the tenshu once stood. You really can survey the *entire* local area from up there, to the point that I'm somewhat surprised it wasn't chosen to remain the base of operations after the "One Domain, One Castle" ordinance was passed. That law ended up killing off both Gassantoda and my town's resident Amago castle. What might have been!

[@Sharnoy1]

8:07 Nobunaga's Ambition mentioned ;)

[@gregorflopinski9016]

Pike and shot warfare: *destroys a heavy cavalry charge* European: «oh, I’ve seen this one before, It’s a classic»

[@mikotagayuna8494]

Do a Top 10 Greatest Ninjas list next!

[@Dfathurr]

I wouldn't think this is a castle per se, but i would like to include Goryokaku in Hakodate, as it was one (together with Kumamoto Castle) who witness the fall of Samurai

[@sanadamaru6]

In fact very important place in Osaka castle Yamazatomaru

[@Menosaverus]

Can you discuss the internal structure of castles?

[@theancientape7813]

odawara today isnt immpresive (compared to others like himeji) in beuaty or scale but the history and informantion you can find there makes it one of my favorites.

[@neroatlas9121]

Ye but the old odawara was MUCH more impressive

[@jeffburnham6611]

Much admiration to the Japanese people for trying to preserve their cultural heritage, unlike in some places in the world, specifically the US, people are hell bent to erase history by tearing down statues and monuments.

[@sonjulliette]

My favorite castle will be always Azuchi castle...however I will visit Osaka castle when I visit Japan...

[@JuergenGDB]

What would have been very cool.. is a quick reference on a map of where they are located in Japan... we can look it up yes.. but would have been a great visual reference.

[@ross9570]

Would've expected Kamakura but either way awesome video

[@abdullakc]

I have visited 11 castles in Japan. I can say okayama castle is beautiful as well hiroshima castle.

[@MCorpReview]

Totally gree w Osaka . Juz visited It last yr. was kinda hoping the ashikaga kinkakuji castle.

[@buhbles1909]

Me here just trying to learn Japanese architecture for a Minecraft world

[@DubsBrown]

Look up the Yakushi-ji Toto pagoda. One of my bucket list builds is to recreate it in a Minecraft snow biome but it’s really tricky to get the proportions right.

[@mssitifa.r9672]

I really love your video. Really good view on each castle. May I know what is your opinion on Fukuchiyama Castle? 😄😄

[@mssitifa.r9672]

@MOONLIGHT SHADOW I think you meant Fukushima right? 😃😃 Well back to topic, Fukuchiyama castle, I think is one of beautiful castle 😄. You should visit there too.

[@SatsumaTengu14]

I am surprised and somewhat disappointed that Kagoshima's Shiroyama was not mentioned. The site where Saigo Takamori would lead his samurai students at the last stand of the entire samurai class during the Satsuma Rebellion in 1877. Great video though!

[@paulb2092]

"No. 7, Nijo Castle, located in Kyoto . . ." That's what I wanted to know for no. 10 and no. 8.

[@redelesdie]

any more detailed castle videos

[@wtv8995]

whenever i read or watch something about japan's history, Tokugawa clan is literally everywhere

[@ishadowscorpioni2852]

Honestly you hit all the castles I want to visit or at least their sites but there is one and it's to respect the man. Odani castle, I wish to respect nagamasa azai as he did face one of the hardest choices. To support his wife's family and betray a long alliance or keep that long alliance and fight his wife's husband.

[@theharper1]

The choice is going to depend on your criteria. Your list is based on the historical significance of the castles. That's one view. If I'm recommending castles for people to visit, I'd recommend ones which have been maintained in their original form, like Himeji, Matsuyama, Matsue and Matsue, or are great examples of reconstruction like Kanazawa, where you can learn about the construction methods.

[@phoenix001979]

@The Shogunate I wonder if you've tried Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun yet? I'd love to see what you think of it.

[@captainaffection]

Hey man What about Tsurugajo castle in Aizuwakamatsu? After it fell in the Boshin war, the Meiji restoration was guaranteed

[@jurtra9090]

Odawara is my personal favorite

[@KyoushaPumpItUp]

Talk about Ashigaru next.

[@brunswickgaming1815]

Some of my family live near Gifu Castle!

[@dubiousdevil9572]

Where tf is the new Sengiku Jidai video? Geeze! :P Nah great video, like always lol. Your content is amazing.

[@pandalady5964]

It's a little poor choice not to include Tsuruga-jo in Aizu-Wakamatsu. Especially considered it's siege in the battle of Aizu, in the Boshin War. It held importance as being one of the final strongholds of the Edo Shogunate in 1868.

[@benpitt5099]

Fun fact not just a list of samurai castles, also 10 places to visit in Japan

[@khal7702]

Completely agree

[@edi9892]

What really frustrates me is that I haven't come across any reconstruction models of those castles... I can think only of two destroyed castles with nice reconstructions and they even look amazing! (Kochi and Nagoya)

[@langfordmorrow177]

The Sequel! The Shogun delivers, deep tofugu bow

[@Buckaroobrandi]

Even though its a modern reconstruction the Osaka castle is gorgeous

[@bonjincowboy]

My favorite will ALWAYS be Kiyosu Castle in Nagoya ...even though Nagoya Castle isn't far away

[@highfalutinman]

I see you're also a person of culture... and an Oda Nobunaga fan

[@brentdavis555]

Is that some way of the samurai 3 music in the background in some parts?

[@1958dmccleskey]

Ueda should be on this list as it is the site of several survivals of seige. The only seige that is on many lists of great samurai battles

[@YuzuruHakushaku]

Kumamoto easily could be in the collection, maybe instead of gassan toda. you forgot say spoilers alert so many time specially for Yukimura.

[@taiwansouthkoreajapan]

i would put both matsumoto castle and matsuyuma jo castle in to somewhere like 4th and 5th

[@madbug1965]

I would have added Crow Castle in Okayama to the list...

[@andreimoise4246]

I would also have added Kawagoe castle where the Hojo defeated the Uesugi.

[@tripple-a6031]

I don't really know much about samurai castles but one I can think of that is kinda missing is Ueda Castle.

[@ThejollyFrenchman]

It's slightly redundant, because you already have Osaka Castle on the list, and it's not technically a castle from an architectural standpoint, but I'd have to say Ishiyama Hongan-ji. It withstood a siege from the most powerful warlord in Japan for over a decade.

[@KyoushaPumpItUp]

Nagashino was the Agincourt of Sengoku Jidai, but with guns instead of bows.

[@akechijubeimitsuhide]

Looking at the hairstyles in these illustrations (and in various taiga dramas / chambara) I noticed that samurai would often wear their hair down under helmets (sometimes with a headband), or just have it in a low ponytail instrad of the usual iconic style, was this typical? Also, on an unrelated note, you have a really nice voice :D

[@apoleonschneider]

It can't get any more historical than "destroyed by the first nuke ever".