9 Castles in Kagoshima worth your time

Explore the remains of a mountain castle, once a key defensive site.

What it is

• A Japanese mountain castle built on a plateau.
• Also known by several other names, including Kumaso Castle.
• It was located in Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture.

What to see

• The 169-meter high mountain mass.
• Site of the main keep on the northern high ground.
• Location of the Otemon gate on the northeast side.
• Location of the Karametemon gate on the west side.
• Matsunaga Canal and Shigehisa Ditch, which served as inner moats.

Read more about Himeki Castle

Explore the remnants of Kokubu Castle, a historic site with surviving stone walls and a relocated gate.

What it is

• A former castle in Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture.
• Also known as Kokubu Shinjo and Maizuru Castle.
• Shimazu Yoshihisa moved here around 1604.
• Later became a direct domain after 1630.

What to see

• Stone walls remain around Kokubu Elementary School.
• Moats are still visible near the school grounds.
• The vermilion gate of the former south gate has been relocated.

Read more about Kokubu Castle

Kagoshima Castle, a historic site with reconstructed gates and moats, offers a glimpse into samurai history.

What it is

• Also known as Tsurumaru Castle.
• Built by Shimazu Tadatsune in 1601.
• Residence of the Shimazu clan until 1868.
• Designated as a National Historic Site.

What to see

• Stone walls and moats remain.
• Reconstructed main gate, Gomon.
• Moat known for its lotus flowers.
• Prefectural library on the Ninomaru site.
• Reimeikan museum on the Honmaru site.

Address

鹿児島県鹿児島市城山町７−７−２ Map

Official site

www.jomon-no-mori.jp

Read more about Kagoshima Castle

Explore Akakina Castle, a large 12th-century island castle and National Historic Site.

What it is

• A Japanese castle, built in the 12th century.
• Designated as a National Historic Site.
• Used until the 17th century.
• Considered a large castle for the Amami Islands.

What to see

• Kuruwa, dorui, horikiri, and tatebori structures.
• A structure with three continuous horikiri.
• The sacred castle mountain.
• Akiba Shrine and Sugawara Shrine nearby.

Read more about Akakina Castle

Explore a medieval mountain castle ruin where Francis Xavier began his mission.

What it is

• A medieval Japanese mountain castle.
• Built by the Ijuin clan in the Kamakura period.
• Known for Francis Xavier's first Christian mission.
• Now maintained as Shiroyama Park.

What to see

• Castle ruins on a 144m high natural mountain.
• About 30 baileys make up the castle.
• A monument commemorates Francis Xavier's meeting.

Read more about Ichiuji Castle

Explore the ruins of a mountain castle, a national historic site with a 400-year clan history.

What it is

• A Japanese mountain castle, also called Kimotsuki Castle.
• It is a national historic site.
• The Kimotsuki clan named themselves here.
• The castle fell in 1573 and was abandoned in 1580.

What to see

• A natural fortress.
• Signboards mark the main and rear gates.
• No structures remain at the castle.

Address

鹿児島県肝属郡肝付町新富8341 Map

Read more about Kōyama Castle

Explore the ruins of a massive medieval mountain castle, a historic site with a rich past.

What it is

• A medieval Japanese mountain castle.
• Built for the Isaku clan.
• Also known as Nakayama Castle.
• A Kagoshima Prefecture designated historic site.

What to see

• Remains of several castle enclosures.
• Site of the main enclosure, Kamemaru Castle.
• Vast castle grounds, 500,000 square meters.

Read more about Izaku Castle

Explore the ruins of a medieval mountain castle, a National Historic Site with unique design.

What it is

• A medieval mountain castle in Japan.
• Designated a National Historic Site.
• First built by Chiran Tadanobu.
• Selected as one of the Continued 100 Fine Castles of Japan.

What to see

• Castle ruins on a Shirasu plateau.
• Excavated Chinese ceramics.
• Excavated pottery from Southeast Asia.

Read more about Chiran Castle

Explore the ruins of a significant medieval castle, a National Historic Site with a rich history.

What it is

• A medieval Japanese castle.
• Designated a National Historic Site.
• A base for the Shimazu clan.
• Abolished in 1615 by order.

What to see

• Ruins of four castles: Uchi-jo, Matsuo-jo, Taka-jo, Shin-jo.
• Uchi-jo measures 600 by 300 meters.

Read more about Shibushi Castle