Region

Nagoya Castle Visitor’s Guide: All 5 Areas, 30 Spots Explained

Walk Nagoya Castle’s five areas with a route and map from repeated visits. See what to prioritize, from Honmaru Palace to the surviving Edo-period turrets.

AichiChubu/Central JapanIeyasu Travel Guide

Joining the Public Opening of Inui Street at the Imperial Palace — A Special Morning Woven with History and Nature

One early spring day, when the first signs of the season’s change began to appear, I took part in the special public ope...

Ieyasu Travel JournalKantoTokyo

Imperial Palace Inui Street: Visiting the Usually Off-Limits Inner Road

Inui Street runs through the inner grounds of Tokyo Imperial Palace — normally closed to the public, but open each spring and autumn. This guide explains how to enter, what to expect, and what you'll see along the route.

Ieyasu Travel Guide DetailedKantoTokyo

Northern Stronghold: Where Toyotomi Hideyori & Lady Yodo Made Their Last Stand

On-site guide to Osaka Castle's Northern Stronghold — the traditional site of Hideyori and Lady Yodo's deaths, the Hidden Bailey, 80+ inscribed stones, Gokurakubashi Bridge, and Aoyamon Gate, across 7 spots.

Hideyoshi Travel Guide DetailedKansaiOsaka

Honmaru at Osaka Castle: Sakuramon Gate, the 108-Ton Takoishi & Toyotomi’s Buried Walls

On-site guide to Osaka Castle's Honmaru area — Sakuramon Gate and the 108-ton Takoishi stone, Kinzo treasury, the Toyotomi Stone Wall Museum, and the Main Tower, across 9 spots.

Hideyoshi Travel Guide DetailedKansaiOsaka

Nishinomaru Garden: Sengan Yagura, Inui Yagura & Japan’s Only Gunpowder Storehouse

On-site guide to Osaka Castle's Nishinomaru Garden area — the Important Cultural Properties Sengan Yagura, Inui Yagura, and Enshōgura, around 300 cherry trees, and Toyokuni Shrine, across 9 spots.

Hideyoshi Travel Guide DetailedKansaiOsaka

Otemon Gate & Tamon Yagura: Osaka Castle’s Historic Main Entrance

On-site guide to Osaka Castle's Otemon Gate area — the masugata gate, giant stones, kokuinseki-carved walls, and the Important Cultural Property Tamon Yagura, in 5 spots.

Hideyoshi Travel Guide DetailedKansaiOsaka

Tokyo Imperial Palace Tour: How to Book, Same-Day Tickets and 6 Main Stops

Free 75-minute Imperial Palace tour: book online from the 1st of the month before, or get same-day tickets at Kikyo-mon Gate from 9:00 or 12:30. Bring ID.

Ieyasu Travel Guide DetailedKantoTokyo

Otemon Gate: Edo Castle’s Main Entrance and Its Guardhouses

Otemon Gate is the main entrance to the Imperial Palace East Gardens in Tokyo. Free entry, closed Mondays and Fridays, a 5-minute walk from Otemachi Station.

Ieyasu Travel Guide DetailedKantoTokyo

Fujimi-yagura Turret and the 47 Ronin Incident Site: Edo Castle Area Guide

Edo Castle's only surviving three-story turret, plus the Matsu-no-Oroka site where the 47 Ronin story began. Five spots with history, photos and access.

Ieyasu Travel Guide DetailedKantoTokyo