Nestled in the heart of Tokyo, the Meiji Shrine is a serene escape from the bustling metropolis that surrounds it. This ...

In bygone days, every castle boasted a donjon, or main keep. But many were torn down under a government edict issued after the Meiji Restoration in 1868 that brought an end to the samurai age.

During the civil war of 1868, the Aizu domain supported the ousted shogunate against the forces of the new Meiji government. The castle became the stage for fierce fighting, leading to the tragic ...