ABOUT | 城むすめの100名城と温泉めぐり

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Castle Maidens' Top 100 Castles and Hot Springs Hero Image 3

Site Operator Summary

Operator: Shiki Tachibana

Achievement: Japan's Top 100 Castles Stamps 100/100 (Fully Conquered)

Methodology: 100% on-site coverage (Walking/cycling 20,000 to 30,000 steps a day)

Materials: Exclusively uses original photos taken personally on location

Philosophy: Sharing the authentic, fun experience of castles and hot springs alongside the "Castle Maidens"

Greetings

From dreaming of traveling around Japan to waking up to the charm of castles and hot springs.
Hello, I'm Shiki Tachibana, the operator of this site.

My deep fascination with Japan's Top 100 Castles and hot springs (onsen) began a few years ago during a casual trip with a friend. I had always loved traveling, but discovering the "Top 100 Castles" list completely changed my travel destinations.

The Top 100 Castles are spread across all 47 prefectures in Japan. I realized that if I conquered them all, I would inadvertently achieve my dream of traveling across the entire country! With that thought, I made visiting the 100 castles the core pillar of my travels.

The profound depth of "castles" I noticed precisely because I was a beginner.
To tell you the truth, when I first started my castle tour, I had almost zero historical knowledge. I simply assumed that every "castle" would have a magnificent main keep standing tall.

When I actually visited the sites, I was shocked to find empty ruins, or places like Banna-ji (Ashikaga Clan Residence) and Takeda Shrine, which don't look like conventional castles at all but are still officially designated as such.

However, as I visited more and more fortresses and saw the unique earthworks, moats, and stone walls with my own eyes, I became deeply moved by the heavy history and the meticulous dedication of the people who built them.

I learned that whether there is a grand tower or not, the true joy lies in feeling the breath of the past echoing through the ruins.

Encountering "Hot Springs" to heal the fatigue of the journey.
The joy of travel isn't limited to castles. As I traveled across Japan, I naturally encountered incredible local gourmet food, scenic spots, and, most importantly, "onsen" (hot springs).

Soaking my tired feet in a warm bath after a long day of walking completely captivated me. I fell in love with the atmosphere of hot spring towns and the profound qualities of the waters. Today, castles and hot springs are an inseparable set in my travels.

What I want to convey through this site.
I am not a history expert, so there may be times when my academic knowledge falls short. But precisely because of that, I value sharing real, relatable experiences from a beginner's perspective—things you can only feel by actually going there.

- For those who feel that castles are too difficult or intimidating to get into.

- For those who want to challenge a journey around Japan or the Top 100 Castles.

- For those who want to refresh their minds and bodies through travel and hot springs.

I hope this site can help enrich your travels, even if just a little. Let's enjoy a stress-free, personalized journey together and make wonderful memories.

Top 100 Castles Stamps

Japan Top 100 Castles Stamp Collection (No.1 to No.100)

About the Japan Top 100 Castles Stamps

I have successfully completed all 100 locations for the official Japan Top 100 Castles (No. 1 to No. 100) stamp rally.

The "100/100" experience walked with my own feet.
From the Nemuro Peninsula Chashi Ruins in Hokkaido down to Shuri Castle in Okinawa, it took me several years to visit all 100 fortresses nationwide.

I primarily used public transportation and rental cars, sometimes climbing harsh mountain trails. The overwhelming sense of achievement I felt the moment my official stamp book was completely filled is something I will never forget. My greatest asset isn't just the stamps themselves, but the raw, firsthand information I gained from breathing the local air, learning the history, and soaking in the hot springs.

The depth of comparison you only get by conquering them all.
I write every article based on my actual experience of visiting all 100 locations. I can now objectively compare the different styles of stone walls, the ingenious defenses adapted to local terrains, and clearly distinguish between "highlights for beginners" and "details for hardcore fans."

I am currently working on my "Hot Spring Hopping" journey, constantly seeking the next great travel experience.

About My Experiences

A commitment to an analog journey, engraved by the five senses.
All the information published on this site comes from my personal, on-site experiences. I place immense value on creating and sharing memories that I have seen with my own eyes, walked with my own feet, and absorbed through the local atmosphere. Furthermore, every photo on this site is an original shot taken by me on location.

Walking 20,000 to 30,000 steps a day to see every detail of the castle.
When exploring castles and hot spring towns, I try to walk or use a rental bicycle as much as possible.
It's not uncommon for me to log 20,000 to 30,000 steps in a single day. I treasure the scenery you can only notice by taking it one step at a time—the slight gradient of a castle gate, the texture of a stone wall, or a hidden culinary gem in a back alley that you would easily miss if you were just driving by.

Discoveries born from unplanned detours.
While I often use a rental car to get between major tourist spots, my style is to actively pull over if I spot a restaurant with a long line or an intriguing building, even if it wasn't on my itinerary.

These intuitive detours frequently lead me to precious sights not found in guidebooks, or to exquisite local food loved by residents. These unexpected discoveries are a vital element that adds depth to the articles on this site.

Engraving experiences into memory and record.
In a digital age that prioritizes efficiency, I intentionally stick to analog methods. The experiences gained by sweating and breathing the air of a new land stay within me not just as knowledge, but as profound, tangible realities.

I approach content creation with a strict "on-site first" policy, hoping that readers will visit a location and think, "I'm so glad I read this site before coming here."

About the Castle Maidens

Why "Castle Maidens"? — To bring "travel excitement" to everyday life.
The four "Castle Maidens" who serve as guides on this site are not just mascot characters. They were born to help you feel the realism and the atmosphere of the journey closer to your heart—things that words alone often fail to convey.

Please note that all the characters featured here are original creations exclusive to this site, and all the article content (text and photos) is independently produced by me, the operator, based on actual on-site coverage.

Adding casual fun to travel, inspired by "Friends".
At the core of this site's concept is the influence of one of my favorite TV shows, the American sitcom "Friends."

I've always loved that "light, comforting feeling" of getting energy just by watching the characters' casual conversations and lifestyles. I thought to myself: how fun would it be if I could combine that vibe with historical castle tours and soothing hot spring visits?

When I was going through a difficult period in my life, I was saved by many forms of entertainment. The profound emotion of experiencing the "power to cheer someone up" that creative works possess remains the driving force behind my activities today.

History and castle information, which can sometimes seem stiff or intimidating, becomes much more enjoyable and accessible when viewed through the eyes of these characters. Through the Castle Maidens, I hope to add a little color to someone's everyday life and be of some help.

However, the characters are strictly your guides; all the actual groundwork, photography, and writing behind the scenes are done entirely by me, a solo operator.

A trigger to enjoy travel, and to enjoy life.
My greatest wish in running this site is that, after enjoying the banter between the Castle Maidens, you might think to yourself, "Maybe I'll go somewhere nice this weekend," or "I'll try my best again tomorrow," and feel even a little bit more positive.

Travel is the best medicine to rejuvenate your mind and body. Come along with the Castle Maidens and discover the new charms of Japan!

Conclusion

It became a bit long, but thank you so much for reading this far.

I wish you all wonderful days and great travel lives. I will continue to work hard so this site can be of help to you, and I look forward to your continued support.