10 Castles in Nagasaki worth your time

A UNESCO World Heritage site and former fortress where the Shimabara Rebellion reached its tragic conclusion in the 17th century.

What it is

• A National Historic Site and UNESCO World Heritage location founded in 1496.
• The final battlefield of the Shimabara Rebellion led by Amakusa Shiro.
• A major geopoint within the Shimabara Peninsula Geopark.
• One of the Continued Top 100 Japanese Castles.

What to see

• Excavated human remains, crosses, and lead bullets from the 1637 siege.
• The ruins of a castle renovated by Arima Harunobu in the late 16th century.
• Historical markers commemorating the rebel forces and the castle's abandonment.

Getting there

• The site is a 15-minute walk from Harajomae bus stop.

Read more about Hara Castle

Shimizuyama Castle is a historic mountaintop fortress with visible ruins and town views.

What it is

• Long, narrow stronghold built in the late sixteenth century.
• Likely complemented defenses of Kaneishi Castle.
• Built for warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi's planned invasion.

What to see

• Three enclosures built on flattened terraces.
• Connecting corridor spanning 500 meters.
• Terraces reinforced with stone ramparts.
• Ruins of entrances and walls are clearly visible.
• View over modern town and port of Izuhara from third enclosure.

Getting there

• Accessible via a hiking trail.
• Trail ascends to the third enclosure.
• Trail follows the ridge from the third enclosure.

Read more about Shimizuyama Castle

Kaneda Fort is a historic mountaintop stronghold with stone walls, offering views of the Korean Peninsula.

What it is

• Mountaintop stronghold built by the Yamato government.
• Constructed in the late seventh century.
• Part of a network of fortifications to protect Japan.

What to see

• Long sections of stone walls, up to 6 meters high.
• Summit of 276-meter Mt. Jo.
• Korean Peninsula visible from summit on clear days.
• Modern military facility from 1901.
• Cannon battery installed on the summit.
• Several gates for fort entrance from the south.

Getting there

• 2.4-kilometer hiking trail to the peak.
• Climb takes around an hour in favorable weather.

Read more about Kaneda Castle

Explore historic castle ruins, a unique sea moat, and a top cherry blossom park.

What it is

• A former Japanese castle in Omura City, Nagasaki Prefecture.
• Built on a peninsula extending into Omura Bay.
• The castle site is now Omura Park.
• Honmaru site is now the grounds of Omura Shrine.

What to see

• Stone walls of Honmaru and the southern moat still exist.
• A unique submerged moat built in the shallow sea to the north.
• The Itajiki Yagura was restored in wood in 1992.
• Omura Park is one of Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots.

When to go

• Spring for cherry blossoms in Omura Park.

Read more about Kushima Castle

This castle, a 1964 reproduction, offers a museum about Christian history and views of the sea.

What it is

• Reproduction of a grand castle, completed in 1964.
• Original castle built from 1616 to 1625.
• Contains a museum about local history and Christianity.

What to see

• Museum exhibits on Christianity on the second floor.
• English panels explain Christian history in Shimabara.
• Fumi-e ritual manual, picture tablets, and registers.
• Samurai armor of the Matsudaira family on the third floor.
• Views of the sea and mountains from the roof.
• Bird's-eye view of the castle's turrets, walls, and moat.

Official site

shimabarajou.com

Read more about Shimabara Castle

Explore the ruins of a unique sea castle, a historic site with a beautiful garden.

What it is

• A Japanese castle in Nagasaki Prefecture.
• Also known as Fukue Castle.
• Completed in 1863, it was the Goto clan's residence.
• One of the Continued Top 100 Japanese Castles.

What to see

• The castle ruins are a designated historic site.
• The castle was a sea castle surrounded by the sea.
• See the existing back gate, Kedashimon.
• Parts of the earthen wall and stone bridge still exist.
• The Goto Clan Garden is a national scenic spot.
• The garden was built as a retirement residence.

Read more about Ishida Castle

Hirado Castle offers reconstructed Edo-period architecture and scenic views of Hirado Port.

What it is

• A Japanese castle in Hirado City, Nagasaki Prefecture.
• Residence of the Matsura clan during the Edo period.
• First built in the late Azuchi-Momoyama period.
• Rebuilt in 1704, following military science of Yamaga Soko.

What to see

• Reconstructed castle keep and other structures built in 1962.
• Castle ruins include Kameoka Shrine and Kameoka Park.
• Kaishu Yagura, renovated into an accommodation facility.
• Views overlooking Hirado Port from the castle hill.

Official site

hirado-castle.jp

Read more about Hirado Castle

Hinoe Castle is a historic Japanese castle ruin, offering a glimpse into medieval samurai life.

What it is

• A Japanese castle, also known as Hinoe-jo.
• Built by Fujiwara Tsuneyasu between 1213 and 1219.
• Ruled by the Arima clan for 400 years.
• A national historic site.

What to see

• Located on a small hill near the Arima River estuary.
• Castle layout is a renkaku-shiki hirayamajiro.
• Stone walls and dry moats are still visible.
• Excavations found straight stairs and stone structures.
• Gold-leafed tiles were also excavated.

Read more about Hinoe Castle

Kaneishi Castle, a former So family residence, is worth visiting for its restored garden and historical significance.

What it is

• Main residence of the So family, daimyo lords of Tsushima.
• Established in 1528.
• Became a castle with walls and watchtowers in the 1660s.
• Used as a secondary residence after 1678.

What to see

• Original castle walls.
• Reconstructed main gate.
• Reconstructed watchtower.
• Restored garden with a pond shaped like the character kokoro.
• Tsushima Museum is on the site.

Read more about Kaneishi Castle

Katsumoto Castle was a short-lived fortress built for Toyotomi Hideyoshi's invasion of Korea.

What it is

• Hilltop castle built for warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
• Intended for invasion of Korean Peninsula.
• Built in four months in 1591.
• Decommissioned in early 1600s as gesture of peace.

What to see

• Castle entrance.
• Some ramparts that surrounded the main keep.
• Ramparts largely intact except for corners.
• View over the village and port of Katsumoto.

Read more about Katsumoto Castle