Different types of Japanese castles: understand the feudal architecture of Japan

Majestic and symbolic, the Japanese castles are not all alike. From the top of the mountains to the coastal plains, their architecture reveals both their time and their function: military, political or symbolic. This article guides you in discovering the four major types of castles in Japan: Yamajiro, Hirayamajiro, Hirajiro and Mizujiro. A must to better prepare your itinerary if you want to explore the feudal history of the country.

Yamajiro: fortified castles of the heights

Yamajiro is a castle built on a mountainside or on steep reliefs. This type of architecture develops mainly during the Sengoku period (XV–XVI century), marked by civil wars. The main objective: observation and defence.

Often without moat or secondary towers, these castles rely on topography for their protection. The tenshu (main dungeon) is generally the only visible structure, positioned in height to monitor the surrounding valleys. The Inuyama Castle, located in the Aichi Prefecture, is a good example of Yamajiro: built on the banks of the Kiso River, it made it possible to control access routes while being difficult to reach.

Today, the remains of these fortresses are often integrated into hiking trails, making it an immersive experience for history and nature lovers.

The hirayamajiro: the compromise between defence and administration

The hirayamajiro, or plain and mountain castle, appears at the end of the Sengoku period and at the beginning of the Edo period. It is located on a low hill, on the outskirts of a plain. This configuration combines strategic defence benefits with more direct access to agricultural and market areas.

Unlike the Yamajiro, the hirayamajiro have a more elaborate architecture: moat, stone ramparts, yagura (watch towers), and multiple enclosures. Himeji Castle, one of the most famous in Japan, is the most successful example of this type. Built on an artificial hill, it impresses with its complex plan and ingenious defensive devices, designed to slow down any attempt at invasion.

The hirayamajiro also served as a political centre. Their size, their layout, and the wealth of their buildings reflected the power of the local lord. Several of them have been reconstructed or restored, now offering full tour routes.

The hirajiro: castles anchored in cities

The hirajiro, or lowland castles, developed during the Edo period (1603–68), a more stable period when military functions declined in favour of administrative and symbolic roles. These castles are located in the heart of cities, easily accessible, and designed to assert the authority of the Shogunal or local power.

Although built on the plain, the hirajiro retain defensive structures: broad moat, stone walls, massive doors. Nijō Castle in Kyoto is one of the best examples. He served as a temporary residence for Tokugawa shoguns during their imperial stays.

These castles are distinguished by the complexity of their internal organization: several enclosures (honmaru, ninomaru, sannomaru), residential areas for samurai and administrators, and sometimes even refined gardens. They reflect the evolution of the role of the castle in Japan: a military tool with a centre of civilian power.

Mizujiro: castles linked to water

Less numerous, the mizujiro are castles built on the edge or in the water. This rare type, usually established on the coast or near ports, exploits the marine environment as a natural defence line.

Three castles are now identified as mizujiro: Imabari (Ehima), Takamatsu (Kagawa) and Nakatsu (Imabari (Ehima). Imabari, for example, is surrounded by seawater, making it an effective bulwark against potential attackers. In addition, the sea provided direct access to maritime trade, which was essential in some regions.

The mizujiro illustrate the adaptation of Japanese military architecture to local geographical constraints. They also show the growing economic role of certain fiefs, particularly on Shikoku Island.

Exploring the different types of Japanese castles not only helps to better understand the country’s historical and military stakes, but also to diversify its visits during a stay. Each typology tells a story, reflects a specific era and use of power. From the mountain to the sea, these fortresses still structure Japanese urban and rural landscapes.

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