Castles in Kyushu

Kyushu’s feudal history is preserved through its diverse fortifications, ranging from the massive, reconstructed stone walls of Kumamoto Castle to the 7th-century Korean-style earthworks of Kikuchi Castle. This collection features coastal sites like Karatsu Castle, situated by the Karatsu Bay, and the ruins of Fukuoka Castle within Maizuru Park. Several locations, including Shimabara and Nakatsu, house museums detailing the region's Christian history and samurai heritage, while sites like Hitoyoshi offer rare examples of medieval stone wall construction.

Kyushu Castles — Map

kamoseiro / CC BY 3.0

A

Fukuoka Castle

Also known as Maizuru Castle, this historic sight is situated on top of Fukusaki Hill, overlooking the city.

名古屋太郎 / CC BY-SA 3.0

B

Kumamoto Castle

Kumamoto Castle is a hilltop Japanese castle located in Chūō-ku, Kumamoto, in Kumamoto Prefecture. It was a large and well-fortified castle.

Masgatotkaca / CC-BY-SA-3.0

C

Kokura Castle

Kokura Castle is a castle in Kitakyushu, Japan. It was built by Hosokawa Tadaoki starting in 1602, with construction completed in 1608.

mahlervv / CC BY 3.0

D

Karatsu Castle

Karatsu Castle is a Japanese castle located in Karatsu, Saga Prefecture, Japan.

上条ジョー / CC BY-SA 3.0

E

Saga Castle

Saga Castle is a Japanese castle located in Saga City, Saga Prefecture, Japan.

User:Sanjo / CC BY-SA 3.0

F

Aya Castle

Aya Castle is a castle located in Aya, Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan.

FlyMeToFullmoon / Public domain

G

Hitoyoshi Castle

Hitoyoshi is a 12th-century castle, now ruins, located in Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto Prefecture. It is recognized as one of Japan's top 100 castles.

663highland / CC BY 2.5

H

Shimabara Castle

A reconstructed five-story white castle housing a museum dedicated to the Shimabara Rebellion and the history of local 'Hidden Christians' during the Edo period.

Naoki Tomeno / CC BY 2.0

I

Amaga Castle

Formerly one of the forty-eight fortifications of the Ito clan, this site now features a castle-style building housing the Takaoka Town History and Folklore Museum.

J

Ganjaku Castle

A mountain fortification site featuring a reconstructed mock keep and stone foundations associated with the Akizuki clan's medieval defense network.

K

Nakatsu Castle

Known as one of Japan's three major 'water castles,' this site utilizes seawater in its moat. The reconstructed keep displays armor and artifacts from the Okudaira clan.

小池隆 / CC BY 3.0

L

Kikuchi Castle

Kikuchi Castle was an ancient castle (also known as a Korean-style fortresses in Japan in the city of Kikuchi, Kumamoto Prefecture Japan.

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