100 Famous Castles in Kansai: Stamp Spots & Route Planner
This guide covers the 14 castles of the Japan Castle Foundation's 100 Famous Castles (Nihon 100 Meijo) in Kansai, (No. 49–62). 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. 49 Odani Castle (小谷城) — Shiga
Odani Castle (小谷城) is No. 49 on the Japan Castle Foundation's list of the 100 Famous Castles, located in Nagahama (長浜市), Shiga Prefecture. Designations: National Historic Site. Official stamp location: 小谷城戦国歴史資料館; 休館日（火曜日）は以下の場所にて対応; 長浜市役所湖北支所; JR河毛駅コミュニティハウス; 戦国ガイドステーション. Check opening hours before you go, because stamp stations usually follow the facility's hours.
No. 50 Hikone Castle (彦根城) — Shiga
Hikone Castle (彦根城) is No. 50 on the Japan Castle Foundation's list of the 100 Famous Castles, located in Hikone (彦根市), Shiga Prefecture. Designations: National Treasure; Important Cultural Property; original keep survives (genzon tenshu); Special National Historic Site. Official stamp location: 彦根市開国記念館; 表門券売所 (開国記念館の休館日). Check opening hours before you go, because stamp stations usually follow the facility's hours.
No. 51 Azuchi Castle (安土城) — Shiga
Azuchi Castle (安土城) is No. 51 on the Japan Castle Foundation's list of the 100 Famous Castles, located in Ōmihachiman (近江八幡市), Shiga Prefecture. Designations: Special National Historic Site. Official stamp location: 安土城天主信長の館; 安土城郭資料館; 安土城跡受付. Check opening hours before you go, because stamp stations usually follow the facility's hours.
No. 52 Kannonji Castle (観音寺城) — Shiga
Kannonji Castle (観音寺城) is No. 52 on the Japan Castle Foundation's list of the 100 Famous Castles, located in Ōmihachiman (近江八幡市), Shiga Prefecture. Designations: National Historic Site. Official stamp location: 石寺楽市会館 (12月中旬～3月中旬は休館); 観音正寺; 桑実寺; 安土城郭資料館. Check opening hours before you go, because stamp stations usually follow the facility's hours.
No. 53 Nijo Castle (二条城) — Kyoto
Nijo Castle (二条城) is No. 53 on the Japan Castle Foundation's list of the 100 Famous Castles, located in Kyoto (京都市), Kyoto Prefecture. Designations: UNESCO World Heritage Site; National Treasure; Important Cultural Property; National Historic Site. Official stamp location: 大休憩所. Check opening hours before you go, because stamp stations usually follow the facility's hours.
No. 54 Osaka Castle (大阪城) — Osaka
Osaka Castle (大阪城) is No. 54 on the Japan Castle Foundation's list of the 100 Famous Castles, located in Osaka (大阪市), Osaka Prefecture. Designations: Important Cultural Property; Special National Historic Site. Official stamp location: 天守閣1階インフォメーションカウンター. Check opening hours before you go, because stamp stations usually follow the facility's hours.
No. 55 Chihaya Castle (千早城) — Osaka
Chihaya Castle (千早城) is No. 55 on the Japan Castle Foundation's list of the 100 Famous Castles, located in Chihayaakasaka (千早赤阪村), Osaka Prefecture. Designations: National Historic Site. Official stamp location: 金剛山 山の豆腐; 千早城跡茶屋（不定期）. Check opening hours before you go, because stamp stations usually follow the facility's hours.
No. 56 Takeda Castle (竹田城) — Hyogo
Takeda Castle (竹田城) is No. 56 on the Japan Castle Foundation's list of the 100 Famous Castles, located in Asago (朝来市), Hyogo Prefecture. Designations: National Historic Site. Official stamp location: 観覧料収受棟; 情報館天空の城; 山城の郷 (交流の館). Check opening hours before you go, because stamp stations usually follow the facility's hours.
No. 57 Sasayama Castle (篠山城) — Hyogo
Sasayama Castle (篠山城) is No. 57 on the Japan Castle Foundation's list of the 100 Famous Castles, located in Tamba-Sasayama (丹波篠山市), Hyogo Prefecture. Designations: National Historic Site. Official stamp location: 大書院の館内. Check opening hours before you go, because stamp stations usually follow the facility's hours.
No. 58 Akashi Castle (明石城) — Hyogo
Akashi Castle (明石城) is No. 58 on the Japan Castle Foundation's list of the 100 Famous Castles, located in Akashi (明石市), Hyogo Prefecture. Designations: Important Cultural Property; National Historic Site. Official stamp location: 明石公園サービスセンター受付窓口. Check opening hours before you go, because stamp stations usually follow the facility's hours.
No. 59 Himeji Castle (姫路城) — Hyogo
Himeji Castle (姫路城) is No. 59 on the Japan Castle Foundation's list of the 100 Famous Castles, located in Himeji (姫路市), Hyogo Prefecture. Designations: UNESCO World Heritage Site; National Treasure; Important Cultural Property; original keep survives (genzon tenshu); Special National Historic Site. Official stamp location: 姫路城管理事務所入口（券売所外）. Check opening hours before you go, because stamp stations usually follow the facility's hours.
No. 60 Ako Castle (赤穂城) — Hyogo
Ako Castle (赤穂城) is No. 60 on the Japan Castle Foundation's list of the 100 Famous Castles, located in Akō (赤穂市), Hyogo Prefecture. Designations: National Historic Site. Official stamp location: 本丸櫓門下; 赤穂市立歴史博物館. Check opening hours before you go, because stamp stations usually follow the facility's hours.
No. 61 Takatori Castle (高取城) — Nara
Takatori Castle (高取城) is No. 61 on the Japan Castle Foundation's list of the 100 Famous Castles, located in Takatori (高取町), Nara Prefecture. Designations: National Historic Site. Official stamp location: 高取町観光案内所「夢創舘」. Check opening hours before you go, because stamp stations usually follow the facility's hours.
No. 62 Wakayama Castle (和歌山城) — Wakayama
Wakayama Castle (和歌山城) is No. 62 on the Japan Castle Foundation's list of the 100 Famous Castles, located in Wakayama (和歌山市), Wakayama Prefecture. Designations: Important Cultural Property; National Historic Site. Official stamp location: 和歌山城天守閣チケット売り場. 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 Kansai?
14 castles, numbered 49–62 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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