Hirado Castle

What to know

Hirado Castle (平戸城, Hiradojō) stands on a hill overlooking Hirado Port and the Hirado Strait, once part of a vital trade route between Japan and mainland Asia. The original fortress was built in 1599 by the local Matsura lord, but he destroyed it after fighting on the losing side of the Battle of Sekigahara as a sign of loyalty to the victor. The clan continued to rule Hirado for the next 250 years.

A new castle (also known as Kameoka Castle) was built on the same site a hundred years later in 1718 as part of coastal defenses during Japan's period of self-imposed isolation. This structure stood for over 150 years but eventually fell into disrepair and was dismantled during the Meiji Period. Today, the Kitakoguchi-mon Gate and the Tanuki Yagura watchtower are the only original structures remaining. The current five-story keep is a concrete reconstruction built in the 1960s, along with four of the castle's destroyed watchtowers.

Inside the castle buildings, various artifacts of the Matsura Clan and items from Japan's feudal period are displayed, including drawings, prints, documents, armor, and weapons. Among them is a unique sword said to have been carried by a general during an invasion of Korea in Japan's early history. Other exhibits relate to foreign trade and Christianity.

The 50-meter-high castle keep houses an observation deck on its top floor offering panoramic views over central Hirado. The rest of the castle grounds have been turned into a public park with two shrines and a few walking trails.

Hirado Castle stands on a hill across the water from Hirado Bus Terminal. From the bus terminal, it can be reached on foot in about 15–20 minutes. Alternatively, the castle is a five-minute walk from the Yukokan Koko Iriguchi (猶興館高校入口) bus stop, served by local buses as well as those running between Sasebo and Hirado.