Shibata Castle Ruins

Free spot to check out for history buffs

The Shibata Castle Ruins in Niigata are an interesting place to check out for history buffs, and there is no admission fee which makes it even better. There is no specific "castle" left -- just part of the castle keep and wall -- but it's still on the list of Japan's Top 100 castles, so it's kinda cool to see in that regard. It's known as a popular local spot during sakura season and as the autumn leaves are changing, so keep that in mind if you plan to visit and want to align it with those seasons.