What do you think is Japan's best present day castle.?

I've been to over a dozen castles both reconstructions and restored originals. I've pretty much enjoyed them all. For me it's a toss-up between Matsumoto-jo and Himeji-jo.Both are stunning.

Matsumoto-jo is set in a plain surrounded by mountains. It's sharp black walls sets it apart from the surrounding buildings. Because of its color, it's also called Karusa-jo: crow castle. I was fortunate to catch it one evening when there was a bit of snow around.

http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/4149/p1010094mm0....

Himeji-jo's size is staggering! And it's white walls dazzling. And for this it's known as the Heron Castle. It's a great place to visit when the cherry blossoms are in bloom.

http://img102.imageshack.us/img102/3323/himejian3....

The two compliment each other and deserved to be visited.

Great question and I enjoyed reading the answers so far. Of the castles I've seen, here's what I think:

Himeji -- beautiful, yes. I like it because it is original. But not very interesting. And the park around it was very ugly when I visited (summer).

Osaka -- great view! I really enjoyed visiting Osakajo in July. I loved walking up to the castle, the elevator inside and I could stand outside and look at the city for hours. But it's not original.

Okayama -- (I live there) the black heron to Himeji's white swan. The history of the castle is very interesting as it was built to show up Himeji. Striking to see it at night, all lit up. But destroyed in the war so not original.

And my favorite, I don't know the name of it, but it is in Takahashi -- a little town I used to visit in Okayama ken. It is a mountain top castle, unlike the others previously mentioned. It is quite a hike to get to it and you can't drive so there is something in the anticipation of getting there. We went during the rainy season and were the only visitors. We saw old Samurai armor, heard the stories of great battles and a famous siege and we looked out on mists of clouds floating past the tops of the trees. Spent quite a bit of time talking to the caretaker who didn't often see foreigners venturing to the top of a remote hill in this tiny town in a small prefecture in the middle of nowhere.

Wow, your question brought up a lot of memories. Thanks!

Although Tsuyama Castle is said to have been the most beautiful (or the best) castle ever in Japan, it was destroyed, so I think the best castle today is Himeji Castle. It is a great example of the castles of ancient (or feudal) Japan. It was designated a World Heritage Site because of its close connections to Japan's past.

Himeji is gorgeous and is one of the best preserved castles in Japan. One of my particular favorites is Nijo castle in Kyoto. It's not the bigest or the flashiest, but the grounds are beautiful and it has a lot of historial significance, as well as some unique features like the nightingale floors that you won't find in other castles.

My vote goes to Himeji, hands down. The sheer size of the castle is impressive as it is. I also like the fact that it is one of the few castles that have been around for a few hundred years. It adds a mystical feeling to it.

HOJO city. it really is about 2 hours through bus from Osaka. it really is a small city surrounded through hills and forests, yet has solid identifying to purchase facility, very quiet, compared to Tokyo. Or once you've an interest in seeing the former historic or historic Japan, bypass to KYOTO, that's complete of previous jap temples, palaces etc. through the through, Hokkaido is a all correct-standard position in Japan.

Matsumoto-jo is underrated IMO. Matusmoto has a great gun collection, including handguns intended to be concealed in one's obi or sleeve .

The reconstructed castle at Aizu-Wakamatsu is worth a visit just for the beauty of it's location and to learn about the Boshin war and the Byakotai.

I loved Himeji. I didn't see the others.

My personal favorite it Kumamoto. It is not as big as the others, but it is beautiful.