requiring various forms of public transport. However, it is definitely worth visiting," says Mitchelhill.

"The samurai districts surrounding the inner castle enclosures are very well preserved and give insight into an Edo-era castle town. Hagi castle itself has an interesting layout with a fortress lookout on top of Mount Shizuki and a tenshu surrounded by a moat at the foot of the mountain."

"The mountain is on a peninsula which juts into the sea. It is an excellent example of the use of topography to create an impenetrable fortress."

Any story behind it?

"Yes, it's fascinating: Mori Terumoto was one of the richest and most powerful daimyo in Japan.

"But after supporting the losing side at the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600, he was stripped of his land at Hiroshima and banished tothe remote location of Hagi," says Mitchelhill.

"The Mori never quite got over their banishment and this area became a hotbed for dissent against the Tokugawa Shogunate. It was from Hagi that many of the instigators of the Tokugawa demise came from in the 1860s."

Of all the castles, do you have a personal favorite?

Hikone Castle was built in 1603. David Green

"One of my favorite castles is Hikone which has a number of unique, original buildings within its extensive grounds," says Mitchelhill. "There is a stunning stroll garden with a lake, tea house and a small palace-style residence at the foot of the hill where Hikone's main tower stands."

"The main tower is small, but has beautiful proportions, exquisite black and gold decoration, black timber bell-shaped and square push-out windows and