5 Castles in Miyazaki worth your time
Japan Gems
Miyazaki Prefecture offers five castles, including Gassanhiwa Castle and Sadowara Castle. These sites provide a look into the region's historical architecture.
Miyazaki has 5 castles on Japan Gems. Below are the 5 we can tell you the most about — each one written up in English from Japanese sources, with what to see and how to get there. See all castles in Miyazaki.
01
Sadowara Castle
MIYAZAKI · CASTLE 佐土原城
Explore the ruins of Sadowara Castle, a historic site with a reconstructed palace and castle foundations.
What it is
- A National Historic Site in Miyazaki City.
- Originally built as Tajima Castle in the mid-14th century.
- Served as the seat of the Sadowara Domain during the Edo period.
- Selected as one of the Continued 100 Fine Castles of Japan.
What to see
- The Ninomaru Goten, a restored wooden palace.
- Excavated tenshudai (castle tower base).
- Fragments of gilded roof tiles found during excavations.
- Site of one of the Ito Forty-Eight Castles.
02
Nobeoka Castle
MIYAZAKI · CASTLE 延岡城
Explore Nobeoka Castle ruins, a historic hirayama-jiro with impressive stone walls and a bell tower.
What it is
- Hirayama-jiro castle built by Takahashi Mototane.
- Construction began in 1601 and completed in 1603.
- Served as government office for the Agata Domain.
- Selected as one of the Continued 100 Fine Castles of Japan in 2017.
What to see
- Stone wall called 'Sennin-goroshi'.
- Wall is 19 meters high and 70 meters long.
- Bell tower stands on the former keep site.
- Bell rings six times daily, announcing time.
03
Obi Castle
MIYAZAKI · CASTLE 飫肥城
Explore a historic castle town and samurai residences at Obi Castle, a designated Important Preservation District.
What it is
- Seat of the Obi Domain during the Edo period.
- Construction began in the Nanboku-cho period.
- One of the Ito Forty-Eight Castles.
- Designated one of Japan's Top 100 Castles in 2006.
What to see
- Historic castle town with preserved roads.
- Samurai residences.
- Yushokan residence.
- Shintokudo school.
04
Aya Castle
MIYAZAKI · CASTLE 綾城
Aya Castle is a reconstructed mountain castle offering a glimpse into Sengoku period architecture.
What it is
- A Japanese mountain castle, built between 1331 and 1334.
- Constructed by Hosokawa Koshirō Yoshikado.
- One of the Itō Forty-eight Castles, also called Ryūo Castle.
- A branch castle of the Itō clan, abolished in 1615.
What to see
- The current castle, rebuilt in 1985.
- A Sengoku period castle tower.
05
Gassanhiwa Castle
MIYAZAKI · CASTLE 月山日和城
Explore the ruins of a mountain castle and its history at the local museum.
What it is
- A Japanese mountain castle, also known as Takajo.
- Built by Kimotsuki Kaneshige.
- Owned by several clans over centuries.
- Abandoned in 1615 due to a government order.
What to see
- Ruins of a mountain castle.
- Seven baileys, covering about 4 hectares.
- Takajo Local History Museum on the site.