Castle Stay

With their elegant structure, Japanese castles are impressive feats of architecture and cultural treasures. Even long after the era of daimyo (feudal lords), Japan has endeavored to preserve its castles as symbols of its rich heritage. Many of today’s remaining castles now double as museums, but Ehime’s Ozu Castle and Nagasaki’s Hirado Castle, taking the castle experience to the next level, have reopened as hotels offering unforgettable custom stays.

Both overlooking scenic townscapes, Ozu and Hirado Castle allow guests to experience the opulent lifestyle of a daimyo. Though the castles’ interiors have been infused with contemporary touches and refurbished to add modern comforts like bathtubs and sofas, designers have taken great pains to remain faithful to the castles’ original aesthetic. At Ozu Castle, guests can relax in the lounge-style bathroom housed in a separate building from the keep. Guests can also savor dishes made with premium local ingredients — and said to have been enjoyed by the feudal lord — paired with local sake.

Cultural experiences can also be arranged. Ozu Castle offers a reenactment of the historical entry of the first feudal lord, who arrived in 1617 after achieving military glory. A guest, clad in armor by "vassals," takes on the role of the castle lord, making a grand entrance to the welcome of his troops. Traditional performing arts originally prepared as entertainment for the lord are also on offer. Other options include experiencing a tea ceremony in the chinshin-ryu style, which was practiced by feudal warlords, at Hirado Castle — the only place in Japan where this ceremony is open to the public.