100 Famous Castles in Kanto: Stamp Spots & Route Planner
This guide covers the 12 castles of the Japan Castle Foundation's 100 Famous Castles (Nihon 100 Meijo) in Kanto, (No. 14–25). 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. 14 Mito Castle & Kodokan (水戸城 / （弘道館）) — Ibaraki
Mito Castle & Kodokan (水戸城 / （弘道館）) is No. 14 on the Japan Castle Foundation's list of the 100 Famous Castles, located in Mito (水戸市), Ibaraki Prefecture. Designations: Special National Historic Site. Official stamp location: 弘道館料金所窓口. Check opening hours before you go, because stamp stations usually follow the facility's hours.
No. 15 Ashikaga Clan Residence (Banna-ji) (足利氏館 / （鑁阿寺）) — Tochigi
Ashikaga Clan Residence (Banna-ji) (足利氏館 / （鑁阿寺）) is No. 15 on the Japan Castle Foundation's list of the 100 Famous Castles, located in Ashikaga (足利市), Tochigi Prefecture. Designations: National Treasure; National Historic Site. Official stamp location: 鑁阿寺本堂内の寺務所 (お守り売場). Check opening hours before you go, because stamp stations usually follow the facility's hours.
No. 16 Minowa Castle (箕輪城) — Gunma
Minowa Castle (箕輪城) is No. 16 on the Japan Castle Foundation's list of the 100 Famous Castles, located in Takasaki (高崎市), Gunma Prefecture. Designations: National Historic Site. Official stamp location: 高崎市箕郷支所1階ロビー; 高崎市箕郷公民館; 高崎市立箕郷図書館. Check opening hours before you go, because stamp stations usually follow the facility's hours.
No. 17 Kanayama Castle (新田金山城) — Gunma
Kanayama Castle (新田金山城) is No. 17 on the Japan Castle Foundation's list of the 100 Famous Castles, located in Ōta (太田市), Gunma Prefecture. Designations: National Historic Site. Official stamp location: 中島記念公園（史跡金山城跡・南曲輪）の休憩施設内. Check opening hours before you go, because stamp stations usually follow the facility's hours.
No. 18 Hachigata Castle (鉢形城) — Saitama
Hachigata Castle (鉢形城) is No. 18 on the Japan Castle Foundation's list of the 100 Famous Castles, located in Yorii (寄居町), Saitama Prefecture. Designations: National Historic Site. Official stamp location: 鉢形城歴史館受付. Check opening hours before you go, because stamp stations usually follow the facility's hours.
No. 19 Kawagoe Castle (川越城) — Saitama
Kawagoe Castle (川越城) is No. 19 on the Japan Castle Foundation's list of the 100 Famous Castles, located in Kawagoe (川越市), Saitama Prefecture. Official stamp location: 川越城本丸御殿受付窓口; 初雁公園休憩所 (上記の休館日). Check opening hours before you go, because stamp stations usually follow the facility's hours.
No. 20 Sakura Castle (佐倉城) — Chiba
Sakura Castle (佐倉城) is No. 20 on the Japan Castle Foundation's list of the 100 Famous Castles, located in Sakura (佐倉市), Chiba Prefecture. Official stamp location: 佐倉城址公園管理センター; 国立歴史民俗博物館. Check opening hours before you go, because stamp stations usually follow the facility's hours.
No. 21 Edo Castle (江戸城) — Tokyo
Edo Castle (江戸城) is No. 21 on the Japan Castle Foundation's list of the 100 Famous Castles, located in Sakura (佐倉市), Tokyo Prefecture. Official stamp location: 千代田区. Check opening hours before you go, because stamp stations usually follow the facility's hours.
No. 22 Hachioji Castle (八王子城) — Tokyo
Hachioji Castle (八王子城) is No. 22 on the Japan Castle Foundation's list of the 100 Famous Castles, located in Hachiōji (八王子市), Tokyo Prefecture. Designations: National Historic Site. Official stamp location: 八王子城跡ガイダンス施設. Check opening hours before you go, because stamp stations usually follow the facility's hours.
No. 23 Odawara Castle (小田原城) — Kanagawa
Odawara Castle (小田原城) is No. 23 on the Japan Castle Foundation's list of the 100 Famous Castles, located in Odawara (小田原市), Kanagawa Prefecture. Designations: National Historic Site. Official stamp location: 天守閣1階. Check opening hours before you go, because stamp stations usually follow the facility's hours.
No. 24 Takeda Clan Residence (Takeda Shrine) (武田氏館 / （武田神社）) — Yamanashi
Takeda Clan Residence (Takeda Shrine) (武田氏館 / （武田神社）) is No. 24 on the Japan Castle Foundation's list of the 100 Famous Castles, located in Kōfu (甲府市), Yamanashi Prefecture. Designations: National Historic Site. Official stamp location: 武田神社宝物殿入口; 武田神社神府集札授与所. Check opening hours before you go, because stamp stations usually follow the facility's hours.
No. 25 Kofu Castle (甲府城) — Yamanashi
Kofu Castle (甲府城) is No. 25 on the Japan Castle Foundation's list of the 100 Famous Castles, located in Kōfu (甲府市), Yamanashi Prefecture. Designations: National Historic Site. Official stamp location: 舞鶴城公園管理事務所; 甲府城稲荷櫓. 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 Kanto?
12 castles, numbered 14–25 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.
Book a Base near Kanto
Find hotels in castle towns across Kanto.