A picture-perfect castle with a not so picture-perfect history.
Perched on the eastern edge of the Shimabara Peninsula, this five-storied, white castle is a key feature of Shimabara city.
What most don’t realize, however, is that the castle today is actually a 1964 concrete replica. The original Shimabara Castle was built in 1618 under the rule of feudal lord Matsukura Shigemasa, despite there being two preexisting castles in the area.
The costs of this pricey new castle fell on the peasant class by raising taxes. It caused such a strain on the local populace that it was one of the factors behind the Shimabara Rebellion erupting from 1637 to 1638. The castle survived the rebellion largely unscathed and remained in use until the Meiji Period. In 1876, its structures were dismantled and the lands gained second uses as farmland and school grounds.
Within the castle walls you can find exhibits on Nagasaki’s Christian history, Shimabara’s local history, as well as folklore on the castle’s lower three floors. On the fifth floor, there’s an observation deck that looks out towards the volcanic Mt. Unzen and the Ariake Sea.
The castle grounds are also home to the Seibo Memorial Hall. Dedicated to legendary local sculptor Seibo Kitamura, who created Nagasaki Peace Park’s Peace Statue, the hall features a collection of his sketches, models, and statues.
Shimabara’s grounds offer perfect photo-ops if you’re hoping to capture the classic Japan shot of a tiered castle framed by flowers. Cherry trees line the castle perimeter, making it one of the most popular sites in Nagasaki prefecture to view cherry blossoms in spring. There’s also a deep moat surrounding the central castle grounds, where you can spot irises in the spring and lotuses in the summer.
Many festivals and events revolve around the castle, such as the annual Shimabara Onsen Shiranui Festival. Held in October, it’s set in motion with a Takigi Noh (Bonfire Noh) performance. Audiences get to watch a classic Noh play staged before the castle as it would have been experienced centuries earlier. Typically, organizers reserve decent seats for foreign guests, free of charge.