In 1853, following two centuries of near complete isolation, a fleet of U.S. Navy ships forced Japan ... grants to unique venues such as castles, temples, Japanese gardens, and national parks.” ...

Simon Celestine arrived at Odawara castle as a tourist from France but he is now lord of one of the most impressive feudal-era fortresses in Japan – if only for a day. Just 50 miles (80 ...

During Japan’s Sengoku “Warring States” era (1467-1615), castles were constructed, bolstered and fortified all across the Japanese archipelago, resulting in approximately 5,000 individual keeps.

In 1853, following two centuries of near complete isolation, a fleet of U.S. Navy ships forced Japan to open to trade ... It offered grants to unique venues such as castles, temples, Japanese gardens, ...