What other travelers are saying about Hirado Castle
One of the better castles I've visited in Japan. The view is incredible and the grounds have a lot to offer before you even enter the castle. Once inside, there are lots of interactive games and historical presentations. Even though most of it was in Japanese, I learned a lot about the castle. Will definitely come back for another visit!
No, the current main keep is a reconstruction. The original castle built in 1599 was destroyed by the Matsura clan themselves in 1613, and a new castle was constructed on the site between 1704 and 1718. That structure fell into disrepair and was dismantled during the Meiji Period. Today, only the Kitakoguchi-mon Gate and the Tanuki Yagura watchtower remain as original structures, while the main keep and four yagura were reconstructed in 1962.
Yes, the Kaiju Yagura turret at Hirado Castle is exclusively available as a private retreat and is Japan's first permanent accommodation facility in a castle. The two-story turret was renovated in 2020 and offers luxury lodging with features like a sunken bathtub with views of the Hirado Strait. Guests receive exclusive after-hours access to the main keep and can participate in cultural experiences during their stay.
The Matsura clan burned down the original castle in 1613 as a gesture of loyalty toward Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, having served on the losing Toyotomi side during the Battle of Sekigahara. This act of contrition allowed them to retain their position as daimyo of Hirado Domain under the new Tokugawa shogunate. The family was permitted to build a new castle approximately a century later.
The 50-meter high castle keep houses an observation deck on its top floor that offers panoramic views over central Hirado. The keep functions as a museum displaying artifacts related to Hirado's history, the Matsura family, and the region's role in international trade. The grounds have been converted into a public park featuring two shrines and walking trails. Since April 2021, the keep features interactive digital exhibitions about the castle's history.
From the Hirado Bus Terminal, the castle can be reached on foot in about 15-20 minutes. The walk involves a short uphill climb to reach the castle grounds on the hill. Alternatively, visitors can take a local bus to the Yukokan Koko Iriguchi bus stop, which is only a five-minute walk from the castle entrance.
Only open from 8:30 am to 5 pm, my visit was short lived as I arrived 30 minutes prior. The grounds are vast and only little ground was covered, but from my experience it was a wondrous experience getting to see the beautiful architecture of the walls that barricade around the castle itself. There is a tour offered that provides a rich history background but is an optional offer through the main castle, which I was not able to see myself in this trip. So much was left unseen so another visit seems to be in order for a more riveting experience.
Definitely a must see if you are in the area or within driving distance. This castle is small but very interactive and keeps you entertained. There are games and you can learn about the history as well. On the very top floor of the castle they offer a photograph service that is done via your phone through an app. That was a big plus. I would recommend parking in the shrine area as it is easier to access the castle and this way you can see the shrine as well which is pretty nice and a good size.
You can walk around the castle grounds and explore. There is no entrance fee except for the main tower where you can get a good location to view the vicinity. There are other viewing spots around the castle as well though. There’s also a shrine within the castle grounds. Nice to visit when in Hirado.
Authentic entrance... I thought it was abandoned when we started into the property grounds. Overgrown foliage and the sound of crickets or similar, I felt like I was in an old Indiana Jones movie. Once by the castle, the outside structure was a replica of the original, but the inside was completely modernized and more like a museum. The view from the top was awesome though. Not a fan of the many spiders, but the wildlife around was their territory!!
