[Important] Pre-opening on Thursday, 5/1!
The oldest modern castle in Kyushu
Nakatsu Castle is located along the mouth of the Nakatsugawa River on the border with Fukuoka Prefecture. It faces the Suo-Nada Sea to the north and the Nakatsugawa River to the west. It has a double moat to the east and a triple moat to the south, and the outer moat is surrounded by an earthen rampart known as "Okakoiyama."
Seawater enters through the sluice gate and the water level in the moat rises and falls with the tides; it is counted as one of Japan's three great water castles, along with Takamatsu Castle and Imabari Castle.
The castle is also called "Fan Castle" (fan castle) because its shape is like a fan.
The current Nakatsu Castle tower was built in 1964, but the castle's stone walls remain from when it was first built.
Seawater enters through the sluice gate and the water level in the moat rises and falls with the tides; it is counted as one of Japan's three great water castles, along with Takamatsu Castle and Imabari Castle.
The castle is also called "Fan Castle" (fan castle) because its shape is like a fan.
The current Nakatsu Castle tower was built in 1964, but the castle's stone walls remain from when it was first built.
History of Nakatsu Castle
Nakatsu Castle was the castle of the Kuroda, Hosokawa, Ogasawara, and Okudaira clans.
Kuroda Kanbei (Takataka) began construction of Nakatsu Castle in 1588 (Tensho 16). The "Kuroda Josui Naval Land Map" shows the Honmaru, Ninomaru, and Sannomaru of Nakatsu Castle, as well as Kyomachi and Hakatamachi, and some of the current town names originate from this period.
In 1600 (Keicho 5), Hosokawa Tadaoki, who entered the castle in place of the Kuroda clan, took over the town layout planned by Kuroda Kanbei, developed the area around Nakatsu castle, and established the castle in its current form.
In 1632 (Kan'ei 9), the fudai daimyo Ogasawara Nagatsugu took over from the Hosokawa clan and developed the castle town. It was also the Ogasawara clan who popularized the Gion Festival in Nakatsu.
In 1717 (Kyoho 2), Masanari Okudaira, a fudai feudal lord who was expected by the eighth Tokugawa Shogun, Yoshimune Tokugawa, to control the western part of the country, entered Nakatsu Castle. From then on, it continued to exist as the residence of the lord of Nakatsu until it was abandoned in 1871 (1871).
Kuroda Kanbei (Takataka) began construction of Nakatsu Castle in 1588 (Tensho 16). The "Kuroda Josui Naval Land Map" shows the Honmaru, Ninomaru, and Sannomaru of Nakatsu Castle, as well as Kyomachi and Hakatamachi, and some of the current town names originate from this period.
In 1600 (Keicho 5), Hosokawa Tadaoki, who entered the castle in place of the Kuroda clan, took over the town layout planned by Kuroda Kanbei, developed the area around Nakatsu castle, and established the castle in its current form.
In 1632 (Kan'ei 9), the fudai daimyo Ogasawara Nagatsugu took over from the Hosokawa clan and developed the castle town. It was also the Ogasawara clan who popularized the Gion Festival in Nakatsu.
In 1717 (Kyoho 2), Masanari Okudaira, a fudai feudal lord who was expected by the eighth Tokugawa Shogun, Yoshimune Tokugawa, to control the western part of the country, entered Nakatsu Castle. From then on, it continued to exist as the residence of the lord of Nakatsu until it was abandoned in 1871 (1871).
Secrets hidden in the stone walls of Nakatsu Castle
On the north side of the Honmaru, there is a Y-shaped stone wall. The stone wall on the right is from the Kuroda period, and the stone wall on top of it on the left is said to be from the Hosokawa period.
The stone walls of the Hosokawa period were made with rounded natural stones, while the stone walls of the Kuroda period were made with many square stones. In fact, the stones used in the Kuroda period stone walls are from Toharayama Castle, a 7th century ruin in Kawakami (Kamige Town, Fukuoka Prefecture). These stones are called Kogoishi, and are characterized by their rectangular shape with one side cut into an L shape. These stones are used from along the river to the north side.
The stone walls of the Hosokawa period were made with rounded natural stones, while the stone walls of the Kuroda period were made with many square stones. In fact, the stones used in the Kuroda period stone walls are from Toharayama Castle, a 7th century ruin in Kawakami (Kamige Town, Fukuoka Prefecture). These stones are called Kogoishi, and are characterized by their rectangular shape with one side cut into an L shape. These stones are used from along the river to the north side.
Okuhira Family Historical Museum
Inside the castle tower of Nakatsu Castle is the Okudaira Family History Museum, which displays the family's precious documents and heirlooms.
Famous items include the "Shirotori-scabbard spear," said to have been a gift from Tokugawa Ieyasu, and the "conch shell," said to have been used in the Battle of Nagashino.
Other treasures on display include armor worn by successive heads of the Okudaira family and a six-panel hanging scroll depicting the Battle of Nagashino.
Famous items include the "Shirotori-scabbard spear," said to have been a gift from Tokugawa Ieyasu, and the "conch shell," said to have been used in the Battle of Nagashino.
Other treasures on display include armor worn by successive heads of the Okudaira family and a six-panel hanging scroll depicting the Battle of Nagashino.
Details
Address | 871-0050 Ninocho, Nakatsu City, Oita Prefecture, 1273-2 |
Museum Hours of Operation | 9: 00-17: 00 (Admission until 16:30) |
Museum Holidays | Open all year round |
TEL | 0979-22-3651 |
Parking | Free for 300 cars. Large vehicles allowed. |
Admission fee | Adults: 1,000 yen (during pre-opening period) Dwarf: Nakatsu Castle HP (here)Please refer to the *Please check at the counter for various discounts. |
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Three-museum common admission ticket |