Shimabara Castle Ruins

Shimabara Castle stands in Shimabara City on the Shimabara Peninsula in Nagasaki Prefecture, originally constructed between 1618 and 1624 by the feudal lord Matsukura Shigemasa. The castle played a pivotal role in one of Japan's most significant historical events, the Shimabara Rebellion of 1637-1638, when roughly 37,000 Christian peasants and samurai rose up against oppressive taxation and religious persecution. Though the rebellion was ultimately crushed, it led to Japan's subsequent 250-year period of national isolation. The original castle was dismantled during the Meiji period, but the five-story main keep was reconstructed in 1964 using modern materials.

The reconstructed castle now serves as a museum displaying artifacts from the Shimabara Rebellion, Christian history in the region, and local cultural heritage. The five-story keep offers panoramic views of Shimabara city, the Ariake Sea, and Mount Unzen on clear days. The castle grounds preserve the original stone walls and moat system, with the inner moat still filled with water where visitors can observe large koi fish. The surrounding castle park features seasonal attractions including cherry blossoms in spring and traditional gardens that reflect the architectural aesthetics of the early Edo period.

Visitors can explore the museum exhibitions inside the keep, which include weapons, armor, and documents related to the castle's history and the Christian uprising. The castle grounds are free to wander, though entry to the keep museum requires an admission fee. Photography is permitted in most areas. The site takes approximately one to two hours to explore thoroughly, though visitors interested in the detailed historical exhibits may wish to allow more time.

Shimabara Castle is located approximately 2 kilometers from Shimabara Station on the Shimabara Railway. Visitors can reach the castle by taking a local bus from the station, which takes about 5 minutes, or by taxi in approximately the same time. Walking from the station takes roughly 25 minutes. For those traveling from Nagasaki city, the journey involves taking the JR Nagasaki Main Line to Isahaya Station, then transferring to the Shimabara Railway, with total travel time around 2 hours. The castle charges an admission fee of 550 yen for adults to enter the main keep museum, with reduced rates for children and students.