🗺️ Shimabara Castle島原城

Shimabara Castle is a tenshu with white walls, built on a hill called "Moritake" in Shimabara City, Nagasaki Prefecture. It was constructed by Matsukura Yoshimasa, the lord of the Shimabara domain, starting in 1618 and taking about seven years to complete. Shimabara Castle was built in the style of the Azuchi-Momoyama period. The central part features a five-story tenshu that stands 33 meters tall, with various watchtowers of different sizes positioned at key points on the northern side. It is surrounded by gently curved stone walls and moats, and even today, 400 years after its completion, it retains its original appearance. For about 250 years after its construction, Shimabara Castle served as the residence for four clans and 19 generations of their leaders. Although it withstood the Shimabara Rebellion, it was dismantled during the Meiji Restoration. After its demolition, only the stone walls and moats remained, but the castle was reconstructed in 1964. The current tenshu serves as a historical museum displaying materials related to Catholicism as well as local and ethnic history. Visitors can see historical artifacts such as the statue of Maria Kannon and paintings of Amakusa Shirō. The fifth floor features an open observation deck that offers views of the Shimabara cityscape and the natural scenery of Mount Unzen. On the east side of the castle, there are attractions such as the "Tatsumi Yagura," the "Seibo Memorial Hall" showcasing works by the artist Kitamura Seibo, who created a statue for peace prayers, and the "Tourism Revival Hall," which provides information about the volcanic eruption disasters of Mount Unzen Fugen. These sites can be visited conveniently in one trip.

The members of the "Shimabara Castle 70,000 Stone Samurai Team," which showcases the heroic spirit of the samurai from the Shimabara Peninsula, take turns welcoming visitors from all directions every day, and they hold performance events every Saturday, Sunday, and on national holidays. The restored bronze clock in the bell tower was ordered to be cast by the first lord of the domain, Matsudaira Tadafusa. In addition to the ancient Ume (plum) garden next to the main keep, there are a total of 285 red and white plum trees within the castle. In spring, the fragrance of plum blossoms fills the air. In summer, the moat around the castle welcomes blooming lotus flowers. There is an evening tour of Shimabara Castle (held only during specific periods; please refer to the official website for detailed schedules).