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There was a moment in history when castles across Japan suddenly vanished. This was due to the “Castle Abolition Order” issued in 1873 (Meiji 6).
By the end of the Edo period, there were about 300 castles and fortified residences, with around 170 castles having keeps. Today, however, only 12 original keeps remain—93% of them have been lost.
From the Sengoku to the Edo periods, Japan was dotted with numerous castles, large and small. Yet today, only a few famous ones survive.
The number of remaining castles is strikingly small.
Why did so many historically significant castles disappear?
In this article, we’ll unravel the reasons through the lens of the Castle Abolition Order.
In 1873 (Meiji 6), the Meiji government issued the “National Castle Disposition and Military Ground Designation Order.”
Commonly known as the “Castle Abolition Order” or “Castle Preservation and Abolition Order,” this directive aimed to reorganize castles from a military perspective.
Castles nationwide were categorized into two groups: those to be used by the army and others. The former were managed by the Ministry of War (preserved), while the latter were transferred to the Ministry of Finance for sale or demolition (abolished).
The concept of cultural property preservation did not yet exist; the process was purely a military and administrative reorganization to build a modern state.
From the late Edo to the Meiji period, Japan underwent rapid modernization.
During the Sengoku and Edo periods, castles served as military bases for each domain and as centers of samurai society.
However, with the establishment of a national army through the Conscription Order, domain-based military bases—castles—became obsolete.
For the modern state, castles were relics of the past.
Thus, under military and administrative reforms, many castles were discarded.
Under the Castle Abolition Order, castles were divided into “preserved” (around 43, depending on sources) and “abolished”.
Some castles were allowed to survive due to their strategic location or size and were repurposed as military bases under the new Meiji government.
Preservation did not guarantee protection. Many buildings were demolished to adapt them for military use.
Despite being designated for demolition, some castles have miraculously survived thanks to the passion and efforts of people.
The Castle Abolition Order was issued as part of the Meiji government’s efforts to build a modern state.
With the Meiji Restoration, Japan transitioned from a feudal samurai society to a modern nation-state. The abolition of domains eliminated the castles’ military function, ending their role as administrative centers.
Moreover, the Conscription Order facilitated the formation of a modern military based on a Western model, rendering castles obsolete.
During the Sengoku period, feudal lords (daimyo) ruled from their castles, commanding soldiers and even conscripting local farmers in times of war. These were “castle-based troops.”
In the Edo period, daimyo maintained retainers based in their castles—still a system of “castle-based troops.”
However, the Meiji government organized a national army through conscription, creating troops directly under the state’s command, not affiliated with individual castles or domains.
These modern forces were trained in Western military practices, composed of soldiers from across the country. Thus, the military significance of individual castles diminished, and they became redundant.
From around 1877, individuals began to recognize the cultural value of castles and worked tirelessly to preserve them.
Colonel Shigetō Nakamura recognized the architectural and artistic value of Himeji and Nagoya Castles during his inspections. In 1878, he submitted a petition to Army Minister Aritomo Yamagata, resulting in government-funded restoration projects for both castles.
In 1874, Hikone Castle faced demolition during Emperor Meiji’s visit to the Hokuriku region. However, Ōkuma Shigenobu appealed directly to the emperor, who ordered the castle’s preservation with the command “Preserve by Imperial Will.”
Matsumoto Castle, auctioned off for demolition, was rescued through a grassroots movement led by Ryōzō Ichikawa, publisher of Shinpi Shimbun. Citizens raised funds, rented the keep from the purchaser, and later bought it back by hosting exhibitions to finance the purchase.
Only 12 original castle keeps have survived the Castle Abolition Order and subsequent wartime destruction.
The Castle Abolition Order led to the demolition of many beautiful castles built during the Edo period. However, it also symbolized the Meiji government’s push to centralize power and modernize the nation.
Additionally, the destruction of castles changed the landscape of castle towns, replacing samurai districts with modern governmental buildings and schools.
While some criticize the Castle Abolition Order as cultural destruction, it was a necessary step in dismantling the feudal structure and building a modern nation.
Materials from demolished castles were reused for infrastructure projects like roads and riverworks, contributing to modernization efforts.
Yet the cultural value of castles lost during this time remains a matter for reevaluation today. Preserving and utilizing historic sites has become an important issue in contemporary society.
It’s worth noting that many castles were already deteriorating due to financial hardships or lack of successors, making their demolition inevitable at that time.
After World War II, many cities sought to rebuild lost castles.
Due to financial constraints and technical limitations, most were reconstructed with reinforced concrete.
From the late 1950s, as Japan promoted itself as a tourist destination, castles were seen as symbols of regional pride and tourism.
Reconstructed castles like Nagoya Castle (1959), Okayama Castle (1966), and Wakayama Castle (1958) emerged during this period.
Although these reconstructions prioritized external appearance, many interiors were adapted into museums.
Since the 1990s, there has been a movement toward authentic wooden reconstructions based on archaeological surveys, historical documents, and old photographs.
Shirakawa Komine Castle’s three-story turret (1991) and Kakegawa Castle (1994) are prominent examples of this trend.
Projects like the Kumamoto Castle Honmaru Goten restoration (2008) represent a shift toward comprehensive reconstructions, not just symbolic ones.
Following the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake, extensive restoration efforts using modern technology and historical research have focused on reviving damaged structures while enhancing earthquake resistance and accessibility.
Kakegawa Castle’s faithful reconstruction of its palace and keep set a precedent for thorough and historically accurate restoration.
Although many castles were lost due to the abolition of domains and the Castle Abolition Order, the cultural value of those that remain has been increasingly recognized.
With the 1950 enactment of the Cultural Properties Protection Law, castle architecture has been designated as important cultural assets, promoting accurate restoration based on detailed research.
Since the Heisei era, restoration efforts have intensified, with a focus on historical fidelity.
At Kumamoto Castle, restoration continues, blending historical accuracy with modern technology.
Meanwhile, Nagoya Castle is undergoing a project to reconstruct its keep entirely in wood, expected to be the largest wooden reconstruction in Japan.
Projects like the Kakegawa Castle palace restoration have broadened the scope from simple symbolic reconstructions to comprehensive, historically faithful restorations.
150 years after the Castle Abolition Order.
Today, castles are treasured as cultural heritage to be passed on to future generations.
Even without the original keep, the remaining stone walls and ruins evoke a sense of history for visitors.
Why not set out on a journey to explore these historic castles across Japan?
