Shimabara Castle

Shimabara Castle (島原城) is a historic castle located in the city of Shimabara, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. The construction of the castle was initiated by the powerful daimyo Matsukura Shigemasa in the early 17th century and was completed by his son, Matsukura Katsuie. The castle played a significant role in Japanese history, particularly during the Shimabara Rebellion.

The castle is renowned for its unique architecture, which blends Japanese and Western styles. The main keep is a six-story structure with a distinctive black and white exterior. Visitors can explore the castle’s many rooms and exhibits, which showcase the history and culture of the Shimabara region.

One of the main attractions of Shimabara Castle is its stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The castle is situated on a hill overlooking the city of Shimabara and offers panoramic views of the nearby Ariake Sea and Mount Unzen.

Shimabara Castle also played a crucial role in the Shimabara Rebellion of 1637. This rebellion, fueled in part by the harsh persecution of Christians by the shogunate, saw a group of predominantly Christian peasants led by the young Amakusa Shiro rise up against the local daimyo and the ruling Tokugawa shogunate. Although the rebellion was eventually crushed, it resulted in the loss of thousands of lives. Visitors can learn about the history of the rebellion through the castle’s exhibits and displays.

Following the rebellion, the castle was dismantled, but it was reconstructed in 1964. Today, the castle houses a museum with exhibits on the history and culture of Shimabara. It is also a popular spot for cherry blossom viewing in the spring.

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Getting there
Details

Getting there

By Train

From Nagasaki:

Take a JR train to Isahaya Station (30 minutes, 480 yen by local train)
Transfer to the Shimabara Railway (Shimatetsu) to Shimabara Station (70 minutes, 1460 yen)

Total journey time: About 2 hours
The castle is a 5-minute walk from Shimabara Station

By Bus

From Nagasaki Airport:

Take the Shimatetsu Bus to Shimabara Station
Journey time: About 105 minutes
From Shimabara Station, it’s a 5-minute walk to the castle

By Car

About 1 hour 30 minutes drive from Nagasaki

Details

Hours	9:00 AM – 5:30 PM Reception closes at 5:00 PM.
Admission	Adults: 700 yen Elementary school to high school students: 350 yen
Phone	+81 957-62-4766
Address	1 Chome-1183-1 Jonai, Shimabara, Nagasaki 855-0036
Official Website	https://shimabarajou.com/