The 12 Original Castles of Japan

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The 2 that are a little more difficult to get to as they are a bit out of the way are Maruoka and Hirosaki.

IMO Maruoka is the most likely the most difficult to get to, there is a train station in the town however the castle is not that close. I ended up in a cab from Fukui to the castle. I had no idea how I was going to get back but a bus came along and I just jumped on and with broken Japanese/ English conversation with the driver trusted I would get back to Fukui.
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Finally is Hirosaki, it is the northern most in original castle in Japan, getting to Hirosaki is not hard and you change to the local line. The Castle is around 30-45miniute walk from the station and set in what was once castle ground but has since become parklands and gardens like many other castle locations in Japan. At the time when I went there it is not in its correct location. From what I understand it was moved while the original stone foundations are been restored and it will be dismantled and put back it its correct location.
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I think that was the quickest TR I have ever compiled, however it has been 10-15+ years in the making. Hopefully someone may get some use out of it, if not I was able to fill in some of my time.
 
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The standout was 'where are all the tourists' 😉
Please trust me when I say I have many photos that include tourists, selfies, etc. Sometimes you can just step L or R by a feet or so and reframe, I am not interested in what the tiktok's or instargrammer's are interested in. I just take old fashion family shots and some of the ones posted have been pinched from my wife.
 

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