100 Famous Castles in Hokkaido & Tohoku: Stamp Spots & Route Planner
This guide covers the 13 castles of the Japan Castle Foundation's 100 Famous Castles (Nihon 100 Meijo) in Hokkaido & Tohoku, (No. 1–13). Each entry lists the official number, where the castle is and where to get its stamp, so you can plan a stamp-rally route.
No. 1 Nemuro Peninsula Chashi Sites (根室半島チャシ跡群) — Hokkaido
Nemuro Peninsula Chashi Sites (根室半島チャシ跡群) is No. 1 on the Japan Castle Foundation's list of the 100 Famous Castles, located in Nemuro (根室市), Hokkaido Prefecture. Designations: National Historic Site. Official stamp location: 根室市歴史と自然の資料館; 根室市観光インフォメーションセンター (JR根室駅前); 根室市北方領土資料館 (納沙布岬近く). Check opening hours before you go, because stamp stations usually follow the facility's hours.
No. 2 Goryokaku (五稜郭) — Hokkaido
Goryokaku (五稜郭) is No. 2 on the Japan Castle Foundation's list of the 100 Famous Castles, located in Hakodate (函館市), Hokkaido Prefecture. Designations: Special National Historic Site. Official stamp location: 箱館奉行所付属建物「板庫 (休憩所)」入口付近 (屋外). Check opening hours before you go, because stamp stations usually follow the facility's hours.
No. 3 Matsumae Castle (松前城) — Hokkaido
Matsumae Castle (松前城) is No. 3 on the Japan Castle Foundation's list of the 100 Famous Castles, located in Matsumae (松前町), Hokkaido Prefecture. Designations: Important Cultural Property; National Historic Site. Official stamp location: 松前城資料館 (松前城天守) の受付. Check opening hours before you go, because stamp stations usually follow the facility's hours.
No. 4 Hirosaki Castle (弘前城) — Aomori
Hirosaki Castle (弘前城) is No. 4 on the Japan Castle Foundation's list of the 100 Famous Castles, located in Hirosaki (弘前市), Aomori Prefecture. Designations: Important Cultural Property; original keep survives (genzon tenshu); National Historic Site. Official stamp location: 弘前城情報館. Check opening hours before you go, because stamp stations usually follow the facility's hours.
No. 5 Ne Castle (根城) — Aomori
Ne Castle (根城) is No. 5 on the Japan Castle Foundation's list of the 100 Famous Castles, located in Hachinohe (八戸市), Aomori Prefecture. Designations: National Historic Site. Official stamp location: 史跡根城の広場料金所; 八戸市博物館受付; 史跡根城ボランティアガイドハウス窓口. Check opening hours before you go, because stamp stations usually follow the facility's hours.
No. 6 Morioka Castle (盛岡城) — Iwate
Morioka Castle (盛岡城) is No. 6 on the Japan Castle Foundation's list of the 100 Famous Castles, located in Morioka (盛岡市), Iwate Prefecture. Designations: National Historic Site. Official stamp location: もりおか歴史文化館; 盛岡市役所7階の観光課窓口 (上記の休館日). Check opening hours before you go, because stamp stations usually follow the facility's hours.
No. 7 Taga Castle (多賀城) — Miyagi
Taga Castle (多賀城) is No. 7 on the Japan Castle Foundation's list of the 100 Famous Castles, located in Tagajō (多賀城市), Miyagi Prefecture. Designations: Special National Historic Site. Official stamp location: 多賀城跡ガイダンス施設（多賀城南門南側）. Check opening hours before you go, because stamp stations usually follow the facility's hours.
No. 8 Sendai Castle (仙台城) — Miyagi
Sendai Castle (仙台城) is No. 8 on the Japan Castle Foundation's list of the 100 Famous Castles, located in Sendai (仙台市), Miyagi Prefecture. Designations: National Historic Site. Official stamp location: 仙台城見聞館展示コーナー. Check opening hours before you go, because stamp stations usually follow the facility's hours.
No. 9 Kubota Castle (久保田城) — Akita
Kubota Castle (久保田城) is No. 9 on the Japan Castle Foundation's list of the 100 Famous Castles, located in Akita (秋田市), Akita Prefecture. Official stamp location: 秋田市立佐竹史料館; 久保田城御隅櫓 (冬期休館). Check opening hours before you go, because stamp stations usually follow the facility's hours.
No. 10 Yamagata Castle (山形城) — Yamagata
Yamagata Castle (山形城) is No. 10 on the Japan Castle Foundation's list of the 100 Famous Castles, located in Yamagata (山形市), Yamagata Prefecture. Designations: National Historic Site. Official stamp location: 最上義光歴史館; 山形市郷土館受付窓口; 二ノ丸東大手門櫓内部. Check opening hours before you go, because stamp stations usually follow the facility's hours.
No. 11 Nihonmatsu Castle (二本松城) — Fukushima
Nihonmatsu Castle (二本松城) is No. 11 on the Japan Castle Foundation's list of the 100 Famous Castles, located in Nihonmatsu (二本松市), Fukushima Prefecture. Designations: National Historic Site. Official stamp location: にほんまつ城報館; JR二本松駅内観光案内所. Check opening hours before you go, because stamp stations usually follow the facility's hours.
No. 12 Aizuwakamatsu Castle (会津若松城) — Fukushima
Aizuwakamatsu Castle (会津若松城) is No. 12 on the Japan Castle Foundation's list of the 100 Famous Castles, located in Aizuwakamatsu (会津若松市), Fukushima Prefecture. Designations: National Historic Site. Official stamp location: 天守閣内売店. Check opening hours before you go, because stamp stations usually follow the facility's hours.
No. 13 Komine Castle (白河小峰城) — Fukushima
Komine Castle (白河小峰城) is No. 13 on the Japan Castle Foundation's list of the 100 Famous Castles, located in Shirakawa (白河市), Fukushima Prefecture. Designations: National Historic Site. Official stamp location: 三重櫓; 二ノ丸茶屋; 白河観光物産協会; 白河修古苑. Check opening hours before you go, because stamp stations usually follow the facility's hours.
Planning the route
Group castles that are on the same rail line or in the same prefecture, and check each stamp location's opening hours the night before. The stamp book is sold at participating castles and bookstores. For how the stamp rally works, see the main guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many of the 100 Famous Castles are in Hokkaido & Tohoku?
13 castles, numbered 1–13 on the official list.
Where do I get the stamp?
Each castle has a designated stamp location, listed above (the facility names are in Japanese). Stamp stations usually follow the facility opening hours, so check before you go.
Do I have to visit them in order?
No. The numbers are just the order of the official list, and you can collect the stamps in any order.
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