🗺️ Kurume Castle Ruins / Sasayama Shrine久留米城跡・篠山神社

Kurume Castle is a flat hill castle built on the hillside beside the Chikugo River. It served as the residence of the Arima clan, who ruled Kurume for 250 years during the Edo period. The remaining site of the honmaru features magnificent stone walls and an inner moat, allowing visitors a glimpse of its former grandeur. Utilizing the hilly terrain surrounded by the Chikugo River on the west and north sides, and marshlands on the east, Kurume Castle was once the residence and sub-castle of figures like Mōri Hidemasa and Tanaka Yoshimasa during the Sengoku period. Later, it underwent extensive renovations by Arima Toyo, a feudal lord of the five districts of Chikugo, becoming the center of local governance at its peak, with its grounds even extending to the present-day Kurume University Hospital and Kurume City Hall area. Today, it is part of the grounds of Yamajinja Shrine, which enshrines the first lord of Kurume, Arima Toyo, and the seventh lord, Arima Yoshimasa, among others. The Arima Memorial Hall is also located here, showcasing weapons, crafts, and other materials related to the Arima family for public viewing. Around the moat, about 50 cherry trees, including Somei Yoshino and yamazakura, bloom from late March to late April, creating a beautiful scene with pink cherry blossoms adorning the stone walls, making this a popular cherry blossom viewing spot.

The ruins of the Kurume Domain lord Arima clan's castle. The nationally designated cultural property, the main shrine hall of Shinozaki Shrine, is located at the center of the main castle site. The remaining stone walls and inner moat allow a glimpse into its former glory. In spring, it is a popular cherry blossom viewing spot. There is also the Arima Memorial Museum within the castle grounds.