Castles, Parks, and Shrines... in Winter

[ClarkH]

Hello,

I'm planning my first trip to Japan in late December / early January for 2-3 weeks during Winter break in college. I'm most interested to see castles, parks, and shrines. Unfortunately, Winter is probably not a good time to visit many parks? If I am mistaken, I would still love to visit a few parks! Also I might like to meet some ladies of course!

As far as I know, Kyoto is the spot for castles and parks? Maruyama Park and Himeji Castle are nearby, right? However, I think Japan has abundant parks and castles all over the country? Sorry. I am not very well informed.

I may also like to spend a day in hot springs. Certainly these will be available during the Winter!

So, I'm thinking to fly into Narita, relax a few days in Tokyo, then maybe spend 1 week in Kansai region, then back to Tokyo for a few more days before departing?

Is this a good idea? Any specific recommendations or info I should know?

Also I don't speak Japanese well at all, and understand only a little.

Thank you very much.

Clark

 

[nice gaijin]

In case you want to visit Himeji, be aware that it will be under renovation and only partially opened until 2015.

Castle  Himeji Castle

Himeji Castle (姫路城), located in Himeji City, Hyōgo Prefecture, is one of Japan's best-preserved historic castles and is widely regarded as a representative example of early modern Japanese castle architecture. A large number of its principal structures, including the main keep (tenshu), survive...

• Hiroto Uehara
• 24 Apr 2026
• Category: Hyogo

 

[ClarkH]

Thanks, nice gaijin. I'd love to see Himeji Castle, but I'm open to seeing any nice castles while in Japan. I'm sure there will be enough to keep me busy for 2 weeks. Perhaps due to this renovation, I will save Himeji until 2015.

 

[zoomingjapan]

Parks aren't that great during winter time, but there's absolutely not problem with temples, shrines and castles.

What? Kyoto is good for castles?? Whaaat???!!!! Where did you hear that??? Sooooo wrong!!!
Excuse me, but I've been to 65 Japanese castles so far and almost none of them has been in Kyoto!
One of the greatest castles in Japan is not too far from Kyoto, though: Himeji (as already mentioned by somebody else).
There are quite a lot of interesting castles in the Kansai area, though. Some are:
Iga-Ueno Castle (Mie)
Akashi Castle (Hyogo)
Himeji Castle (Hyogo)
Hikone Castle (Shiga)
Nagahama Castle (Shiga)
Ako Castle (Hyogo)
Takeda Castle (Hyogo)

In Kyoto there are for example:
Njio Castle
Fushimi Castle
Fukuchiyama Castle

For castles, please check out my "Japanese Castle List" (you'll find all the information you need there)


For temples and shrines Kyoto is great indeed!

 

[ClarkH]

Thank you very much! And awesome website!!! Cute cursor too. haha

 

[zoomingjapan]

Thank you!
Glad you like it! ^-^
If you have any questions or need travel tips, let me know!

 

[ClarkH]

Are there any castles you recommend in Kanto region?

Are there any temples or shrines you recommend in Kansai or Kanto region?

(Again, still planning this trip for this winter.)

Thanks!

 

[thomas]

Travel  Kanto Travel Guide

The Kantō Region (関東地方 Kantō-chihō) is Japan’s most heavily populated region and the political, economic and cultural centre of the nation. It is located in east central Honshū and consists of the following prefectures: Chiba Prefecture (千葉県 Chiba-ken) Gunma Prefecture (群馬県 Gunma-ken)...

• JREF
• 4 Jun 2012
• Comments: 1
• Category: Kanto

Travel  Kansai Travel Guide

The Kansai Region (関西地方 Kansai-chihō), sometimes coincident with the official geographical designation "Kinki Region" (近畿地方 Kinki-chihō), comprises the prefectures of Kasuga Taisha, Nara Mount Yoshino is said to have over 60,000 sakura (Japanese cherry trees) and is an incredible sight...

• JREF
• 24 May 2012
• Category: Kansai

This might give you a brief overview of places to see.

 

[Mike Cash]

You need to be aware that a lot of the temples and shrines in areas that were bombed during the war were burned to the ground and subsequently rebuilt. So while they may have an institutional history going back centuries what you will actually see will quite often be of very recent construction.

 

[thomas]

You need to be aware that a lot of the temples and shrines in areas that were bombed during the war were burned to the ground and subsequently rebuilt.

And if they were not bombed in the war, they were torched. Happened at least in the case of Kinkaku-ji.

 

[ClarkH]

Thanks, but why do I need to be aware of that? Isn't the idea to not be aware that they are reconstructions?

 

[Mike Cash]

Some people like the old buildings. Don't be aware if you're not one of them.

 

[zoomingjapan]

Are there any castles you recommend in Kanto region?

There are castles, but not really any I could recommend.
To be honest I haven't been to that many castles in the Kanto region.
If I may suggest Chubu area instead (which is really not too far from Tokyo!).
Aichi, Nagano , Gifu and Shizuoka all have GREAT castles!

Are there any temples or shrines you recommend in Kansai or Kanto region?

Hm. Well, there are many. And I've seen so many that it's hard to recommend any.
What pops up in my mind right now is:
Mt. Koya (Wakayama Pref.)
Mt. Hiei (Kyoto)
Fushimi Inari (Kyoto)
Todaiji (Nara)
Mt. Yoshino (Nara)
Hasedera + Muroji + Tanzan Shrine (all near Asuka in Nara - can be done in one day)

For Kanto I suggest going to:
- Nikko
- Kamakura
- Nokogiriyama (Chiba)

When I just started out planning trips years ago I mainly used this website: Japan Travel Guide
Also, WikiTravel is great: Free Worldwide Travel Guides - Wikitravel

I hope that helps a bit and gives you some nice ideas!

 

[ClarkH]

Thank you!!