The Day Japanese Castles Disappeared: How Japan Lost Its Fortresses to the Meiji Government

Why Did Castles Once Found Throughout Japan Disappear?

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.

What Was 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.

Historical Background: Why Was the Order Issued?

From the late Edo to the Meiji period, Japan underwent rapid modernization.

• 1871 (Meiji 4) Abolition of Domains and Establishment of Prefectures: Domains were dissolved, and castles lost their administrative roles.
• 1873 (Meiji 6) Conscription Order: A modern, Western-style military system was introduced, transitioning to a nationwide conscription system.

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.

Preserved or Abolished: The Fate of About 40 Castles

Under the Castle Abolition Order, castles were divided into “preserved” (around 43, depending on sources) and “abolished”.

Major Castles That Were Preserved

Some castles were allowed to survive due to their strategic location or size and were repurposed as military bases under the new Meiji government.

• Edo Castle (Tokyo) - Became the Imperial Palace, symbolizing the modern nation.
• Osaka Castle (Osaka) - Headquarters of the Osaka Garrison (later the Fourth Division).
• Nagoya Castle (Aichi) - Garrison for the Nagoya Garrison (later the Third Division).
• Sendai Castle (Miyagi) - Headquarters of the Sendai Garrison (later the Second Division).
• Hiroshima Castle (Hiroshima) - Headquarters of the Hiroshima Garrison (later the Fifth Division).
• Kumamoto Castle (Kumamoto) - Headquarters of the Kumamoto Garrison (later the Sixth Division); known for its role in the Satsuma Rebellion.
• Himeji Castle (Hyogo) - Base for the 10th Infantry Regiment, transformed from the “White Heron Castle” into a military facility.
• Kanazawa Castle (Ishikawa) - Became the base of the Kanazawa Garrison, a strategic fortress in Hokuriku.

Tragedy: Even Preserved Castles Were Demolished

Preservation did not guarantee protection. Many buildings were demolished to adapt them for military use.

• Aizu - Wakamatsu Castle - Though designated for preservation, all castle structures were dismantled.
• Sendai Castle - Almost all structures except the main gate were demolished.

Miracles of Castles That Survived Abolition

Despite being designated for demolition, some castles have miraculously survived thanks to the passion and efforts of people.

• Matsumoto Castle - After being put up for auction following its abolition, a preservation movement led by the local newspaper “Shinhi Shimbun” was launched. The castle was bought back through funds raised from an exposition and the support of local volunteers. Thanks to the passion of the citizens, Matsumoto Castle continues to stand in its elegant form today.
• Inuyama Castle - Although slated for abolition under the Castle Abolition Order, Inuyama Castle was spared from demolition. After the 1891 Nōbi Earthquake partially destroyed the keep, it was transferred free of charge to the Naruse family, the former lords, under the condition of repair. Inuyama Castle overcame the threat of destruction and remains the only privately preserved National Treasure castle in Japan.

The Purpose and Background of the Castle Abolition Order

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.

Why Western-Style Military Made Castles Redundant

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.

Heroes Who Saved Castles: The Story of Preservation Movements

From around 1877, individuals began to recognize the cultural value of castles and worked tirelessly to preserve them.

The Army Colonel Who Saved Himeji Castle

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.

Emperor Meiji’s Command Saved Hikone Castle

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.”

Citizens’ Power Saved Matsumoto Castle

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.

The 12 Surviving Original Castle Keeps Today

Only 12 original castle keeps have survived the Castle Abolition Order and subsequent wartime destruction.

The 5 National Treasure Castles

• Himeji Castle (Hyogo) - Also called the “White Heron Castle,” a World Heritage Site with the best-preserved keep in Japan.
• Matsumoto Castle (Nagano) - Japan’s oldest five-story, six-floor keep, known for its striking black exterior.
• Hikone Castle (Shiga) - The Ii family’s residence, preserved by Imperial decree.
• Inuyama Castle (Aichi) - Overlooking the Kiso River, it retains the oldest architectural style among surviving keeps.
• Matsue Castle (Shimane) - Known as the “Plover Castle,” designated a National Treasure in 2015.

The 7 Important Cultural Property Castles

• Hirosaki Castle (Aomori) - Famous for its 2,600 cherry blossom trees in spring.
• Maruoka Castle (Fukui) - One of the oldest surviving keeps, with a distinctive stone-tile roof.
• Bitchu Matsuyama Castle (Okayama) - Japan’s only remaining mountain castle keep, often seen floating in a sea of clouds.
• Marugame Castle (Kagawa) - Known for its towering stone walls with beautiful curved slopes called “ogee curves.”
• Matsuyama Castle (Ehime) - An excellent example of a multi-winged keep complex, offering panoramic city views.
• Uwajima Castle (Ehime) - Built by the famed castle architect Tōdō Takatora, close to the sea.
• Kochi Castle (Kochi) - The only castle with an original keep and palace building from the Edo period.

The Impact and Evaluation of the Castle Abolition Order

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.

Necessary Evil for Modernization or Cultural Destruction?

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.

Postwar Castle Reconstruction Boom

The Postwar Reconstruction Boom

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.

The Wooden Reconstruction Boom of the Heisei Era

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.

Lessons for the Future

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?