Hirado Castle

Perched on a promontory above the Hirado Strait, Hirado Castle (also known as Kameoka Castle) commands one of the most dramatic coastal prospects in Nagasaki Prefecture. Construction began in 1704 under Matsura Takashi, the 30th head of the venerable Matsura clan, following the refined principles of the Yamaga school of castle design. Completed in 1718, the castle was later demolished under the Meiji government's castle-abolition decree, before its distinctive three-tier, five-storey keep was faithfully rebuilt in 1962. Today it holds a proud place among Japan's Top 100 Castles.

When to go

The castle is open daily from 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM, making an early-morning visit particularly rewarding: the strait below catches the light beautifully, and the grounds are quietest in the first hour after opening. Spring and autumn offer the most comfortable conditions for exploring the promontory at a leisurely pace.

“We parked at the bottom of the hill at the library parking lot and took the stairs up to the castle entrance. The castle itself is small, but is interactive and there's something interesting on each floor. On the top floor is a 360 view of the castle surroundings. Sooo sooo pretty on a rainy day! Also on the top floor is a free photo op - just scan the qr code on the machine, go outside on the bal”— Maricris Perreault, Google review