Shimabara Castle, is located in Shimabara and was built in 1625 by the feudal load Matsukura Shigemasa, who was regarded as a master of castle building. The castle, which took 7 years to complete, is also known as “Moritake Castle”.     It was an almost rectangular flatland castle built in the Renkaku-style. Also, it was a superb example of a castle where three layered yagura turrets were placed at strategic points around the five-layered donjon which was influenced by the architectural style of the Azuchi-Momoyama period.     Through it was demolished in 1874 during Meiji Restoration, west turret called “Nishi-no-yagura” was first restored in 1960 and the donjon was restored in 1964. In the castle, the Christianity Museum has been established. Many  Christian historical materials, local collection, and ethnic  collections are exhibited in the museum.   View from the Castle tower     

Shimabara Castle…の続きを読む

               Kokura was the transportation hub from Honshu and all areas of Kyushu during Edo period from 17th to 19th century. The Castle town was constructed in the Kokura and Kokura Castle was build in 1602 and spent 7 years construction at the north side of Kokura facing to Kanmon strait and next to Murasaki river. The height of Castle tower is 6th tallest in Japan after Himeji Castle. The castle had a fivefold and six layered donjon and it was built in the architectural  style called “Kara-zukuri”. You can take many photos of traditional Japanese scenery that you have never seen before.   Castle tower   Moat around Castle tower   Around Castle       

Kokura Castle…の続きを読む