Japan’s Three Great Night Castles: Takada, Gifu & Matsumoto

Japan is famous for its historic castles, but some become even more impressive after sunset.

Illuminated castle towers, reflections on moats, seasonal cherry blossoms, and panoramic city lights create a completely different experience from daytime sightseeing.

Japan even has an officially recognized group known as the Three Great Night Castles of Japan.

Following a new certification in November 2025, the current Three Great Night Castles are Takada Castle in Niigata, Gifu Castle in Gifu, and Matsumoto Castle in Nagano.

In this guide, we explain what makes each castle special, when to experience the night scenery, how to get there, and an important renovation update travelers should know before visiting Gifu Castle.

If you enjoy beautiful landscapes as much as historic architecture, you may also like our guide to the best scenic spots in Japan.

What Are the Three Great Night Castles of Japan?

The Three Great Night Castles of Japan, or Nihon Sandai Yajo, are an official tourism designation created by the Night View Tourism Convention Bureau.

The designation was first established in 2014. Night-view specialists voted on candidate castles, which were then evaluated using criteria such as lighting, scenery, originality, safety, and efforts to promote nighttime tourism.

A second certification took place in November 2025.

The current Three Great Night Castles are:

Castle	Location	Night View Highlight
Takada Castle	Niigata	Cherry blossoms and moat reflections
Gifu Castle	Gifu	Panoramic city night views
Matsumoto Castle	Nagano	Illuminated black castle and moat

Takada Castle is the only castle that has remained in the group through both certifications.

You can check the current designation on the official Three Great Night Castles website.

Takada Castle, Niigata

Japan’s Famous Night Castle and Cherry Blossoms

Takada Castle is located in Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture.

The castle was built in 1614 for Matsudaira Tadateru, the sixth son of Tokugawa Ieyasu.

Today, the best-known structure is the three-story turret in Takada Castle Site Park. The current turret was reconstructed in 1993.

Takada Castle is particularly famous in spring, when thousands of cherry trees bloom throughout the park.

At night, illuminated cherry blossoms, lanterns, the castle turret, and reflections on the moat create one of Japan’s most impressive seasonal night scenes.

Best Time to Visit Takada Castle at Night

The most popular time to visit is during the annual Takada Castle Site Park Cherry Blossom Festival, usually held around early April.

The park and surrounding area contain around 4,000 cherry trees, and nighttime illumination creates a dramatically different atmosphere from the daytime scenery.

The cherry blossoms here are also known as one of Japan’s famous night cherry blossom displays.

However, bloom timing changes every year depending on the weather, so check the latest flowering forecast and festival dates before planning your trip.

How to Get to Takada Castle

Takada Castle Site Park is located in central Joetsu.

Takada Station on the Echigo Tokimeki Railway is one of the main access points, and local buses or taxis can be used to reach the park.

Travel Tip: If cherry blossoms are the main reason for your visit, consider staying overnight in Joetsu. This makes it much easier to enjoy both the daytime scenery and the illuminated park after sunset without rushing back to another city.

For seasonal events and current visitor information, check the official Joetsu tourism website.

Gifu Castle, Gifu

A Castle High Above the City

Gifu Castle stands near the summit of Mount Kinka, high above Gifu City.

The mountain reaches approximately 329 meters above sea level and provides wide views across the Nobi Plain.

The castle is strongly associated with the Sengoku period and with Oda Nobunaga, one of the most famous warlords in Japanese history.

The modern castle keep was reconstructed in 1956.

Unlike Takada Castle and Matsumoto Castle, where the illuminated castle itself is a major part of the scenery, one of Gifu Castle’s greatest nighttime attractions has traditionally been the panoramic view from the mountain.

Important: Gifu Castle Is Closed for Renovation

As of October 2026, Gifu Castle’s main keep is closed for major renovation work.

The castle keep has been closed since May 19, 2026, and is currently scheduled to remain closed until late October 2027.

A reopening is planned for November 2027.

There is another important detail for travelers visiting during the renovation period.

From late August 2026 until around mid-April 2027, scaffolding and protective sheets cover the castle keep. This means visitors cannot currently see the normal exterior appearance of Gifu Castle.

If seeing the castle itself is the main purpose of your trip, it may be better to wait until the renovation is completed.

What Can You Still Do Around Mount Kinka?

The Mount Kinka area and Gifu Park remain important sightseeing destinations, and the Mount Kinka Ropeway normally connects Gifu Park with the summit area in only a few minutes.

However, construction can also affect routes around the mountaintop, so check the latest access information immediately before visiting.

Travel Tip: Do not rely on older travel blogs or photos when planning a 2026 or 2027 visit. Gifu Castle currently looks very different because of the renovation work.

Check the official Gifu City renovation information for the latest construction schedule and access restrictions.

Matsumoto Castle, Nagano

A National Treasure Illuminated After Sunset

Matsumoto Castle is one of Japan’s most beautiful surviving historic castles.

Its black exterior gives it a very different appearance from white castles such as Himeji Castle.

The castle’s five structures are designated as National Treasures, and its main keep is considered the oldest surviving five-tiered, six-story castle tower in Japan.

At night, the black-and-white castle is illuminated and reflected in the surrounding moat, creating a particularly elegant view.

Matsumoto Castle Is Illuminated Year-Round

One advantage of Matsumoto Castle is that you do not necessarily need to visit during a special festival to see it illuminated.

The castle is normally lit from sunset until 10:00 PM throughout the year.

This makes Matsumoto one of the easiest of the Three Great Night Castles to include in a regular Japan itinerary.

Spring is especially beautiful when cherry blossoms surround the castle, while winter can offer clear air, snow, and views toward the Northern Alps.

Special Night Events at Matsumoto Castle

Matsumoto also hosts seasonal nighttime events.

Cherry blossom illuminations are normally held in spring, while winter events may include large-scale projection mapping on the castle and stone walls.

For the 2026–2027 winter season, Matsumoto Castle Projection Mapping is scheduled from December 12, 2026 to February 14, 2027, from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM.

These special events can change from year to year, so always confirm the dates before traveling.

How to Get to Matsumoto Castle

Matsumoto Castle is easy to reach from central Matsumoto.

It takes approximately 15 minutes to walk from Matsumoto Station, or you can use a local bus.

Travel Tip: Visit before sunset if you want both experiences. You can explore the castle grounds in daylight, have dinner in central Matsumoto, and then return to see the illuminated castle after dark.

For opening information, events, and temporary restrictions, visit the official Matsumoto Castle website.

What Happened to Osaka Castle and Kochi Castle?

If you have seen older articles about the Three Great Night Castles of Japan, you may have found a different list.

That is because the original 2014 certification included:

• Osaka Castle in Osaka
• Kochi Castle in Kochi
• Takada Castle in Niigata

In November 2025, the designation was reassessed for the second time.

The new group became:

• Takada Castle
• Gifu Castle
• Matsumoto Castle

This does not mean Osaka Castle or Kochi Castle are no longer worth visiting at night.

Both remain impressive historic landmarks, but they are no longer part of the current official Three Great Night Castles certification.

Which Night Castle Should You Visit?

The best choice depends on the experience you want.

Choose Takada Castle if you are visiting Japan during cherry blossom season and want one of the most spectacular combinations of illuminated blossoms, water reflections, and castle scenery.

Choose Matsumoto Castle if you want a historic National Treasure that is easy to visit throughout the year and looks beautiful both during the day and after sunset.

Choose Gifu Castle in the future if you want a mountaintop castle combined with panoramic city views. However, because of the current renovation, travelers visiting in 2026 and much of 2027 should carefully check conditions before including it in their itinerary.

Best Season for Japan’s Three Great Night Castles

Castle	Recommended Season	Why Visit?
Takada Castle	Early April	Night cherry blossoms
Gifu Castle	After renovation	Mountaintop panorama
Matsumoto Castle	Year-round	Castle illumination and seasonal scenery

If you are planning a trip around seasonal landscapes, see our guide to the best scenic spots in Japan for more ideas.

Three Great Night Castles of Japan FAQ

What Are the Current Three Great Night Castles of Japan?

As of 2026, the officially recognized Three Great Night Castles are Takada Castle in Niigata, Gifu Castle in Gifu, and Matsumoto Castle in Nagano.

They were selected in the second certification announced in November 2025.

Were Osaka Castle and Kochi Castle Previously Included?

Yes. Osaka Castle, Kochi Castle, and Takada Castle formed the original Three Great Night Castles selected in 2014.

After the 2025 reassessment, Takada remained while Gifu Castle and Matsumoto Castle joined the current group.

Can You Visit Gifu Castle in 2026?

The main keep cannot currently be entered.

Gifu Castle has been closed for renovation since May 19, 2026 and is scheduled to remain closed until late October 2027, with reopening planned for November 2027.

During part of the construction period, the castle exterior is also covered by scaffolding and protective sheets.

Can You See Matsumoto Castle at Night?

Yes. Matsumoto Castle is normally illuminated from sunset until 10:00 PM throughout the year.

However, entering the castle tower and seeing the exterior illumination are different experiences. The interior follows normal daytime opening hours unless a special nighttime event is being held.

When Is the Best Time to See Takada Castle at Night?

Early April is usually the most popular period because the Takada Castle Site Park Cherry Blossom Festival combines illuminated cherry blossoms, lanterns, the castle turret, and reflections on the moat.

Exact cherry blossom dates change every year, so check current information shortly before your trip.

Final Tips for Visiting Japan’s Night Castles

Japan’s castles can feel completely different after sunset.

Takada Castle combines historic scenery with one of Japan’s most famous nighttime cherry blossom displays. Matsumoto Castle offers a dramatic black castle reflected in the moat and illuminated throughout the year. Gifu Castle is famous for its mountaintop location and panoramic night views, although its current renovation means travelers need to plan carefully.

Before visiting any night castle, check official opening hours, seasonal illumination schedules, transportation times, and weather conditions.

Also remember that nighttime illumination does not always mean the inside of a castle remains open. In many cases, the best nighttime experience is viewing the illuminated exterior from the surrounding park or moat.

With the right timing, Japan’s historic castles offer some of the country’s most memorable nighttime scenery.