Kumamoto Castle in the context of "Himeji Castle"

Shimabara Castle (島原城, Shimabara-jō), also known as Moritake Castle (森岳城, Moritake-jō) and Takaki Castle (高来城, Takaki-jō), is a Japanese castle located in Shimabara, Hizen Province (present day Nagasaki prefecture). This five-story white building stands in stark contrast to the black Kumamoto Castle in neighboring Kumamoto Prefecture.

Matsumoto Castle (松本城, Matsumoto-jō), originally known as Fukashi Castle, is one of Japan's premier historic castles, along with Himeji and Kumamoto. It was the seat of Matsumoto Domain under the Edo Period Tokugawa shogunate. It is located in the city of Matsumoto, in Nagano Prefecture.

The keep (天守閣, tenshukaku), which was completed in the late sixteenth century, maintains its original wooden interiors and external stonework. It is listed as a National Treasure of Japan, and is one of the twelve surviving tenshu in Japan. It is surrounded by four other buildings also designated as National Treasures.

The Kumamoto Domain (熊本藩, Kumamoto-han), which was in existence from 1600 to 1871, had a significant influence in the region. Initially, it controlled its vast territory of 520,000 koku, which later expanded to 540,000 koku after the division of the 8th generation territory and the establishment of branch domains during the Hosokawa family era. In 1871, the domain faced territorial changes as it lost control over Kuma District and Amakusa District in Higo Province (present-day Kumamoto Prefecture), as well as parts of Bungo Province (now Oita Prefecture), including Tsuruzaki and Saganoseki. This domain was also known as Higohan and its administrative center was situated at Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto City. Despite not having complete control over Higo, the Hosokawa clan of the Kumamoto Domain held the status of feudal lords, or Daimyo, in the region.