HIKONE, Shiga Prefecture—Hikone Castle, a prominent 17th-century structure ... to UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee, has supported Japan’s nomination strategy that emphasizes the castle ...

HIKONE, Shiga Prefecture--Four centuries after its construction, the beloved Hikone Castle here came under “siege” from a growing band of early birds. The small group, including a number of ...

But for those fascinated by Japan's feudal past, the country's castles are a must-see, and its largest, Himeji Castle, costs just 1,000 yen (under $7) to visit. Looming from atop a hill in Himeji, ...