Hara Castle Ruins– National Historic Relic Site –

Hara Castle Ruins (原城跡) are the remains of a historic castle located in Minamishimabara, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. Today, only the ruins remain, but they offer a glimpse into the history and culture of the region, particularly the tragic Shimabara Rebellion.

Hara Castle was built in the late 16th century by the powerful daimyo Hara Toratane. The castle was strategically located on a hill overlooking the Ariake Sea and played a significant role in the history of the Shimabara region.

The castle was destroyed during the Shimabara Rebellion in 1637. This rebellion was an uprising of peasants, many of whom were Christians, against the oppressive rule of the local daimyo and the Tokugawa shogunate. The rebels besieged the castle and eventually captured it.

After the rebellion was suppressed, the Tokugawa shogunate thoroughly destroyed Hara Castle to prevent it from being used as a base for future uprisings. Today, visitors can explore the castle ruins, including the remains of the castle walls and moat, as well as several restored gatehouses and watchtowers. Visitors can walk along the castle walls and enjoy views of the surrounding landscape, including the nearby Ariake Sea.

While Hara Castle itself is not known for its cherry blossoms, the nearby Shimabara Castle is a famous cherry blossom viewing spot.

Getting there

By Bus

From Shimabara Station:

• Take a bus bound for Harajo-mae (原城前)
• Journey time: About 1 hour
• Cost: Approximately 1000 yen one way
• Frequency: Every 30-90 minutes
• From Harajo-mae bus stop, it’s a 15-minute walk to the ruins

Details

Hours	Open 24 hours
Admission	Free
Phone	+81 265-35-9416
Address	Yamabuki, Takamori, Shimoina District, Nagano 399-3101
Resources	https://www.city.minamishimabara.lg.jp/sekaiisan/kiji0034923/index.html