Lockheart Castle

A genuine European stone castle in the mountains of Gunma sounds unlikely, and that is precisely why Lockheart Castle works. The building was dismantled in Scotland, shipped to Japan and painstakingly reassembled, and today it anchors a hillside estate of stone streets, fountains and gardens that has become a favourite backdrop for film crews and photographers.

What you will find

Beyond the castle itself there are galleries of European antiques, a large collection of Santa Claus figures from around the world, chapels, cafes and shops spread across the grounds. The whole estate leans happily into romance: couples come for the bell you can ring together, and the site turns up regularly in Japanese dramas and photo shoots.

Dress the part

The most popular thing to do here is hire a princess dress or tailcoat and spend an hour being photographed against the stonework. Rental wardrobes cover adults and children, and even sceptical visitors tend to cave once they see the setting. If dressing up is not your thing, the gardens and hilltop views over the surrounding countryside still justify the trip.

Getting there

The castle sits in the hills of northern Gunma. The usual route is a Joetsu Shinkansen or local JR service to the Numata area, then a bus or taxi for the final stretch; a rental car makes life easier if you are touring the region. It combines well with the fruit farms and onsen towns nearby.

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