The castles of Japan are a product of the country's long history of civil war and samurai rule from the Middle Ages to mid-19th century. They functioned both as military fortresses as well as symbols of authority. They incorporated powerful mechanisms for warding off attackers, yet as symbols they were possessed of immense beauty and grace. This study is divided into four parts: the first examines who built these castles and why, with an incisive look at Japanese history and the internecine fighting between samurai clans; the second part discusses the castle as a fortress - the importance of its location, its layout, stone walls and moats, towers, gates, shooting holes, and stone drops; the third part covers the beauty of the castle as a symbol, covering the intricate craftsmanship seen in structural detail and the aesthetics of the samurai class itself; and the fourth part contains practical information on visiting castles and gleaning the most from a first-hand view.