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The 10 best Japanese castles to visit during winter

![20250127 matsumotojo top image](https://www.ft.com/__origami/service/image/v2/images/raw/https%3A%2F%2Fcms-image-bucket-production-ap-northeast-1-a7d2.s3.ap-northeast-1.amazonaws.com%2Fimages%2F8%2F7%2F9%2F5%2F48925978-3-eng-GB%2FCropped-1737960829photo_SXM2025010700009166.jpg?width=780&fit=cover&gravity=faces&dpr=2&quality=medium&source=nar-cms&format=auto)

Matsumoto Castle is crowned with snow under a blue sky. (Matsumoto Castle Administration Office)

JUN OKUBO

February 1, 2025 08:21 JST

TOKYO -- Japan's ancient castles, always beautiful, are even more stately at this time of the year, as the drier, clearer air allows light to shine more brilliantly on the snow.

Snowfall in Japan this winter is expected to be about average, offering visitors the chance to enjoy snow-clad castles. Nikkei has asked a panel of experts to select some of the most spectacular castles to view during this season.

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