When people think of Nara, they instinctively picture the ancient capital atmosphere, the deer, and the World Heritage temples. But what you may not know is that there were actually several castle towns within Nara Prefecture—though smaller in scale than Kanazawa or Nagoya, they preserve a completely different historical landscape from the typical "temple-shrine towns."
Why Does Nara Have Castle Towns?
The ancient capital of Nara (Heijo-kyo) existed from 710 to 794 CE and was Japan's political center at the time, flourishing far beyond what we can imagine today. However, as power shifted to Kyoto during the Heian period, Nara gradually transformed into a "temple-shrine town" centered around temples.
But during the Warring States period (1467-1615), regional lords began building castle strongholds around the Nara Basin, forming a unique "castle town" (jokamachi) pattern. These towns form an interesting contrast with the ancient capital's atmosphere—not about pilgrimages and prayers, but extensions of samurai power.
Castle Town Heritage Within Nara Prefecture
Koriyama Castle (Koriyama City)
This is the most famous castle town site within Nara Prefecture. Koriyama Castle was built by Tsutsui Junkei in the 1580s, and Hideyoshi's brother Hidechika once occupied the castle. Although the castle was demolished during the Meiji period, the site preserves complete moats and earthworks, and the surrounding merchant town still maintains Edo-period machiya architecture. Standing on the restored main tower base, you can overlook the entire Nara Basin, with extremely high scenic value.
Address: 634-0051, Omakacho, Kashihara City, Nara Prefecture
Admission: Free (castle ruins park)
Visiting Hours: Open all day
Katagiri Castle (Yamatokoriyama City)
Katagiri Castle was the residence of the famed Warring States general Katagiri Katsumori, known as the "castle of water"—the spectacle of spring-fed moats is quite rare even in Japan. The "Sugiyama Street" surrounding the castle preserves a complete merchant town, where former machiya buildings have been converted into cafés and craft shops. The "Yamatokoriyama City Historical Museum" is especially recommended, displaying authentic Katagiri clan armor and documents.
Address: 639-1042, Minamijocho, Yamatokoriyama City, Nara Prefecture
Admission Fee: Historical Museum ¥300
Hours: 9:00-17:00 (Closed Mondays)
Tamon Castle (Nara City)
Tamon Castle was the residence of the Tsutsui clan during the Warring States period, located on a hill in eastern Nara City. This is a key site for understanding the political history of Warring States-era Nara. Although the castle is smaller in scale, it preserves clear stone walls and moat structures. The surrounding "Suwarikamachi" retains the castle town layout from the Warring States period, making it perfect for leisurely walks to soak in the historical atmosphere.
Address: 630-8425, Sugiokacho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture
Admission: Free
Access: 5-minute walk from "Tamon Castle Site" bus stop, Nara Kotsu Bus from JR Nara Station
Imai Town (Kashihara City)
Imai Town is a "merchant town" (shonin-machi) that formed from the Warring States through Edo periods, rather than a typical samurai castle town, but it preserves a complete machiya building complex. Its distinctive feature is the "dozogura" (earthen warehouse) style merchant buildings—walls up to 30 centimeters thick that are said to have been able to withstand the fire attacks common during the Warring States period. Approximately 30 traditional buildings are now open to the public, with the "Imai Machinami Kan" (Imai Traditional Townscape Hall) displaying Edo-period commercial documents and daily life artifacts.
Address: 634-0812, Imaimachi, Kashihara City, Nara Prefecture
Admission: Free visiting (Exhibition Hall ¥200)
Visiting Hours: Exhibition Hall 10:00-16:00
Hakidashi Water Castle (Tenri City)
This is one of the most mysterious ancient castles in Nara Prefecture. Hakidashi Water Castle was built in the 1580s as a branch castle of the Tsutsui clan, featuring a unique "water moat" defense system utilizing natural spring water. Although the castle no longer exists, the surrounding "Suiki Shrine" preserves the original stone wall foundations. With very few visitors, this is the top choice for travelers who prefer in-depth historical exploration.
Address: 632-0015, Shimomizu, Tenri City, Nara Prefecture
Access: 20-minute walk from JR Tenri Station
Practical Information
Transportation: The castle towns within Nara Prefecture are scattered across different areas. It is recommended to use JR Nara Station as your base, and travel using the "Nara Kotsu Bus Pass" (¥1,500, unlimited rides within two days). Those driving can rent cars at JR Nara Station, with travel times between sites being approximately 20-40 minutes.
Best Visiting Seasons: Spring (March-May) and autumn (October-November) have stable weather and are most suitable for outdoor castle ruins tours. Summer is hot but lush and green; winter has the fewest visitors but some facilities may close earlier.
Allow Sufficient Time: A complete tour of Koriyama Castle, Katagiri Castle, and Imai Town requires at least two days. If time is limited, it is recommended to focus on Koriyama Castle and Imai Town—the two complement each other's styles and have convenient transportation.
Travel Tips
The castle towns of Nara offer a completely different travel experience from the "ancient capital atmosphere"—here, it's not just about visiting temples, but stepping into the power strongholds of Warring States samurai. It is recommended to first visit Koriyama Castle's complete ruins to establish a basic understanding, then delve into individual towns according to your interests.
Worth noting is that these towns have smaller-scale tourist facilities; some only have simple explanatory signboards rather than complete exhibition halls, making them suitable for visitors interested in Japanese castle history.
Compared to large-scale castle towns like Kanazawa, Nara's towns preserve more "uncommercialized" original character—this may be a drawback or an advantage, depending on what kind of historical experience you are seeking.
