Private multi-day tour · Multi-day from Tokyo
From Tokyo: 4-Day Original Castle Keeps Customizable Tour
A drive for castle lovers: three of Japan's 12 castles with original keeps. Climb inside Inuyama and Hikone, both National Treasures, and Maruoka in Fukui.
Private · your group only◆4 days◆Up to 6 guests◆Pickup included
Road-day snapshot
This is your private tour, so the route is flexible: tell us if you want to skip a stop, stay longer somewhere or add a place nearby.
The experience
A private journey, thoughtfully paced
Japan has many castles, but most keeps you see today are concrete rebuilds. Only 12 castles still have a keep that survived from the Edo period or earlier. This tour visits three of them, and you climb up inside the old wooden keeps.
Inuyama Castle stands on a hill above the Kiso River in Aichi. It is a National Treasure and one of the oldest keeps in Japan. From the top balcony you can see far over the river and plains. Below the castle is Inuyama's old castle town street.
Hikone Castle on the shore of Lake Biwa in Shiga is also a National Treasure. Its keep has graceful roofs and the grounds have stone walls, a bell tower and the Genkyu-en garden next to the castle.
Maruoka Castle in Fukui has a small, quiet keep with roof tiles made of stone, chosen because they do not crack in snow. Few visitors come here, so you can take your time.
Your guide explains how each castle was built and how to read stone walls, gates and roof shapes. Entry to all three keeps is included. Steps inside are very steep, so wear shoes that are easy to take off. You book your own hotels near the castles.
This is a private tour. Only your group. One family or group of 1 to 6 people per van, never shared with strangers. Your driver-guide speaks English, and also Hindi and Urdu.
If one of the three castle keeps is closed or cancelled on your date, you can take a full refund of your booking, guaranteed. If you prefer, we can instead visit the castle grounds and its nearby museum or garden instead.
DAY 1 Hotel pickup in Tokyo and drive to Inuyama (about 5 hours). Visit Inuyama Castle and the old castle town.
DAY 2 Drive to Hikone. Visit Hikone Castle and the Genkyu-en garden by Lake Biwa.
DAY 3 Drive north to Fukui. Visit Maruoka Castle and its quiet town.
DAY 4 The drive back to your Tokyo hotel.
Choose with confidence
Is this the right journey for your group?
Excellent fit if
- Climb inside Inuyama Castle, a National Treasure above the Kiso River
- Visit Hikone Castle by Lake Biwa, another National Treasure
- See Maruoka Castle and its stone roof tiles in Fukui
- Learn to read stone walls, gates and roofs with your guide
- Three original wooden keeps, no concrete rebuilds
Said plainly
Castle keeps have very steep wooden stairs. You take off your shoes inside. Day 1 and Day 4 are long driving days. If one of the three castle keeps is closed or cancelled on your date, you can take a full refund of your booking, guaranteed. If you prefer, we can instead visit the castle grounds and its nearby museum or garden instead. Dietary needs can be added in the booking form.
Your day
Suggested itinerary
Times are approximate. Your driver-guide adjusts the order for traffic, weather, opening hours and the best light.
Climb inside Inuyama Castle, a National Treasure above the Kiso River
Visit Hikone Castle by Lake Biwa, another National Treasure
See Maruoka Castle and its stone roof tiles in Fukui
Learn to read stone walls, gates and roofs with your guide
Three original wooden keeps, no concrete rebuilds
What is covered
What you see is what you pay
Ours — included
- Private van and English-speaking driver-guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in central Tokyo
- All parking, fuel and road tolls
- Entry to Inuyama Castle
- Entry to Hikone Castle
- Entry to Maruoka Castle
Yours — paid on the day
- Hotel accommodation (you book your own hotel in Inuyama, Hikone and Fukui)
- Meals and drinks unless listed as included
- Gratuities, which are never expected in Japan
- Optional souvenirs and castle stamps
Good to know
Before you book
Languages
English, Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi
Pickup
Pickup and drop-off at your Tokyo hotel or accommodation (23 wards).
Group and vehicle
Private for up to 6 guests. Enter adults, children, infants and child seats separately at booking.
Dietary and mobility needs
Halal, vegetarian, allergy, walking or other practical requests go in your booking notes and are planned before the day.
Questions
Frequently asked
Can we change the route on the day?
Yes. It is a private tour in our own van, so your driver-guide can skip, extend or add stops where time allows.
Is the price per person?
No. The price is for your whole private group of up to 6 people, including the van, fuel, tolls, parking and your driver-guide.
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancel at least 24 hours before departure for an automatic full refund to the original payment method. Within 24 hours, contact us directly so we can help. If a typhoon or official weather warning stops the trip, we offer a new date or a full refund. For a GetYourGuide booking, the terms shown on that booking apply.
Somewhere else in mind?
Any destination in Japan
If this route is not exactly what you need, tell us the destination, dates and group. We confirm the plan and the exact price before any payment is taken.
Plan a custom journeyYour private Japan day
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From¥311,000
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