10 Castles in Ōita worth your time
Japan Gems
Ōita Prefecture has seven castles, including Nakatsu Castle and Saiki Castle. They offer a look into Japan's past.
Ōita has 10 castles on Japan Gems. Below are the 10 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 Ōita.
01
Funai Castle
ŌITA · CASTLE 府内城
Explore Funai Castle, a historic hirayama-jiro castle in Oita City, for its restored structures and ruins.
What it is
- A Japanese castle in Oita City, also known as Oita Castle.
- Construction began in 1597 by Fukuhara Naotaka.
- Completed by Takenaka Shigetoshi after the Battle of Sekigahara.
- Served as the Funai Domain office during the Edo period.
What to see
- Hitoshichi Yagura and Sumon Yagura are existing structures.
- Stone walls, earthen walls, and moats are historic sites.
- Three double turrets and the Otemon gate have been restored.
- The castle ruins are now Oita Castle Ruin Park.
- Official site
- www.city.oita.oita.jp
02
Usuki Castle
ŌITA · CASTLE 臼杵城
Explore Usuki Castle ruins, a National Historic Site with impressive stone walls and historical significance.
What it is
- Castle ruins designated as a National Historic Site.
- Built by Otomo Sorin as Niujima Castle.
- Predecessor was a natural fortress on Niujima Island.
- Selected as one of the Continued 100 Fine Castles of Japan.
What to see
- Remains of stone walls and dry moats.
- Tatami Yagura in the Ninomaru area.
- Utoiriguchi Monwaki Yagura in the Honmaru area.
- Main castle area is now a city park.
03
Uenoharu Castle
ŌITA · CASTLE 上原館
Explore the ruins of a medieval Otomo clan residence, offering a glimpse into feudal Japan's history.
What it is
- A medieval residence of the Otomo clan.
- Also known as Nishiyama Castle.
- Believed to have been built by Otomo Ujiyasu.
- Abolished in 1597 when Funai Castle was built.
What to see
- Remains of earthworks and moats are still present.
- Part of the earthwork remains are maintained at a shrine.
- The site measures 130 meters east-west and 156 meters north-south.
04
Oka Castle
ŌITA · CASTLE 岡城
Explore the impressive stone remains of a historic mountaintop castle, inspiring a famous Japanese song.
What it is
- Historic Japanese castle ruins, also known as Gagyujo.
- Built in 1185 by Ogata Koreshige.
- Designated a National Historic Site in 1936.
- One of Japan's Top 100 Castles.
What to see
- Extensive stone walls, all that remains today.
- Castle site 325 meters above sea level.
- Area covered 234,000 square meters.
- Site that inspired the song "Kojo no Tsuki".
- Official site
- www.city.taketa.oita.jp
05
Nagayama Castle
ŌITA · CASTLE 永山城
Explore Nagayama Castle ruins, a historic site with impressive stone walls and a rich past.
What it is
- Castle built in 1601 by Ogawa Mitsuuji.
- Also known as Maruyama, Mameda, and Tsukikuma Castle.
- Abolished in 1639, became a Gundai Yakusho.
- Designated an Oita Prefecture historic site in 2016.
What to see
- Stone walls with round and corner stones at main keep.
- Remnants of stone walls found during excavations.
- Castle site designated as a park in 1915.
06
Hiji Castle
ŌITA · CASTLE 日出城
Explore Hiji Castle ruins, once home to the Kinoshita clan, for its historical stone walls and preserved turrets.
What it is
- A Japanese castle in Oita Prefecture.
- Built from 1601 to 1602 by Kinoshita Nobutoshi.
- The Kinoshita clan resided here throughout the Edo period.
- Also known as Yogoku Castle.
What to see
- The main enclosure stone walls are largely extant.
- The northeast corner turret is a cultural property.
- The back gate turret is preserved in the Ninomaru-kan.
07
Kitsuki Castle
ŌITA · CASTLE 杵築城
Kitsuki Castle offers a reconstructed keep, museum, and scenic views from a historic castle site.
What it is
- A Japanese castle in Oita Prefecture.
- Built by the Kitsuki clan in 1394.
- Served as the administrative center for the Kitsuki Domain.
What to see
- The Daimyo's palace site, a designated historic site.
- The Daiyama area, a national historic site.
- A simulated keep on the original foundation.
- The keep functions as a museum and observation deck.
08
Tsunomure Castle
ŌITA · CASTLE 角牟礼城
Explore a 13th-century mountain castle ruin, a National Historic Site with historical significance.
What it is
- A Japanese mountain castle built during the Koan era (1278-1288).
- Built by Mori Tomomichi, first confirmed in 1475 records.
- Designated a National Historic Site in Japan.
- Selected as one of the Continued 100 Fine Castles of Japan.
What to see
- Remnants of stone walls on Tsunomureyama mountain.
- Remains of a turret gate.
09
Nakatsu Castle
ŌITA · CASTLE 中津城
Nakatsu Castle is a historic water castle with Kyushu's oldest stone walls and a family museum.
What it is
- A flatland castle started by Kuroda Yoshitaka.
- Completed by Hosokawa Tadaoki.
- Designated historical site of Oita Prefecture.
- One of Japan's three major water castles.
What to see
- Oldest existing stone walls in Kyushu, built in 1588.
- Simulated keep built in 1964.
- Okudaira family historical museum inside the keep.
- Official site
- www.nakatsujyo.jp
10
Saiki Castle
ŌITA · CASTLE 佐伯城
Saiki Castle is a historic mountaintop castle ruin with a museum, offering a glimpse into Edo period Japan.
What it is
- A Japanese castle in Saiki City, Oita Prefecture.
- Served as the domain office for the Saiki Domain.
- Designated as a National Historic Site.
- Built in 1606.
What to see
- Mountaintop castle with stone walls.
- San-no-maru Yagura-mon gate still exists.
- Saiki City History Museum opened in 2015.