5 Countries with the Most Beautiful Castles in the World

3. Japan

Insider Monkey Score: 16

There are many good reasons to visit Japan – colorful shrines, maiko and geisha culture, and the multi-course kaiseki ryori meals are top of the list for many. But with its rich and artistic feudal history, The Land of the Rising Sun is dotted with hundreds of castles scattered throughout the country, from Goryo-kaku in Hokkaido to Shuri Castle in Okinawa. 

The 17th century Himeji Castle, with its pure white-plastered walls, is one of the most spectacular castles in Japan. Even though it is a remarkable defensive structure with highly developed systems and ingenious protection devices, the castle still doesn’t come across as intimidating or imposing, but rather graceful, as is typical of traditional Japanese architecture.