Osaka/Kyoto trip - what castles to visit?

Hi,
We are going to visit Osaka 7 nights and Kyoto 5 nights from mid-May, mainly to eat and sightsee. It is our 2nd trip to Kyoto after 10+ years, but first time to Osaka. I loved visiting Nijo castle and Himeji castle in our last trip (loved the building features like nightinggale floors, trap doors, steep staircases, etc) and will probably visit them again this trip. However, I am wondering what other castles I could visit as day trips from Osaka or Kyoto that will be worth the travel time and costs. I have looked up Osaka, Okayama, Hikone and Ueno castle. I have also read about Matsumoto castle, but wasn't sure whether it is doable as a day trip from either Kyoto or Osaka. If we had 2-4 days for castle sightseeing, which ones should we prioritise or do in combination? Are there any other castles I have missed? Would it be worth it to get a JR Rail pass just to visit these castles as day trips from Osaka or Kyoto (we have booked all our accommodation). Thank you in advance for your help.

Hi. Matsumoto castle is worth a trip although it would be a big one as a day trip from Osaka. The grounds arent much to look at, but the castle itself is really pretty and there is a great collection of artifacts there, if that is your thing.

My favorite is Hikone castle. The castle keep is smallish but really pleasant, with views over lake Biwa, and the grounds are really good. I much prefer it to any other castle I've been to, as it doesnt get as busy as some (I'm thinking of you, Himeji-jo). It is also very close to Kyoto.

Definitely Hikone! It's a really nice castle. I went very out of season and still enjoyed it.

Matsumoto looks amazing, but it will take ~2.5 hours by train.

I didn't think Okayama's Castle was particularly compelling but I love Korakuen. You can get a Kansai Wide Pass for 9000 yen for 5 days, which makes getting there much cheaper. The round trip covers your pass cost and you still have 4 more days to use it.

I've been to Wakayama Castle. It's a reconstruction but has a nice view over the city.

Good luck!

I like Hikone, but I specially like Takahashi. It�fs an old castle on a hilltop (not very common in Japan) and as it�fs a bit hard to reach probably the less crowded of all original castles. Not too hard to reach though. Maybe you could spend 1 night in Okayama. Do the castle on one day (plus Kurashiki or Okayama Park) and do Inujima on the second day before going back to Osaka.

http://bicycletraveljapan.blogspot.nl/2017/11/day-46-okayama-and-takah...
http://bicycletraveljapan.blogspot.nl/2017/11/day-47-inujima-art-proje...

I am personally not a big fan of Osaka. Did you consider spending more time in Nara prefecture?

http://bicycletraveljapan.blogspot.nl/2017/11/day-41-nara-to-yamatoyag...

http://bicycletraveljapan.blogspot.nl/2017/11/day-42-roundtrip-through...

Enjoy your trip to Japan!

I agree with all of the above but be aware that all the castles mentioned are not like Nijo-jo. The don't have nightingale floors etc.
One point worth clarification @Likebike mentions Takahashi and it is fabulous but getting to it is a bit odd. It's actually called Bitchu Matsuyama castle but you need to get a train to Bitchu Takahashi to visit it. I have ended up in the wrong place before when I went to the wrong station (Still a good memory as I had a very interesting walk anyway). It is a hike from the station up to the castle https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5777.html but it really is well worth it. I did it in early september when it was unbelievably hot and I'm not sure if I would have made it without the vending machines in the car park half way up. If you do go then Raikyuji is fantastic as well https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5779.html

Hikone is much easier to access and has great views across Lake Biwa., as I always say the castle museum should not be missed nor should Ryotanji.
https://japan-highlightstravel.com/en/travel/maibara/140001/

If things go well I hope to revisit one if not both of these in November.

Matsumoto Castle is amazing. But if you plan to travel that distance, it would be better to spend one night in Matsumoto so you could see more of the city and surrounding area.

Thanks everyone for your responses. Looks like Hikone is a definite. Thank you rkold for your suggestion on the Kansai Wide Pass. I will do some more research on what else is near Matsumoto and whether it is enough to change our plans on day trip vs staying there overnight. LikeBike your photos are amazing. We have limited time on this trip so wanted to avoid changing hotels every few nights. Takahashi/Bitchu Matsuyama castle looks a little too complicated to get to for us. Thank you all for your help.

Go to Takahashi; you won't regret it.

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