Castle Buffs
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Ohori Park – The Ultimate Guide to Fukuoka’s Tranquil Park
Ohori Park (or Oohori-Kouen/Ōhori-Kōen/大濠公園) is a huge pleasant park located in downtown Fukuoka; and a popular getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city among the locals. It was once a defensive moat for the next door Fukuoka Castle (福岡城), before being transformed into a recreational park today. Despite being located in the middle of the city, the park is surprisingly peaceful; offering quiet moments especially for families and couples who wish to spend their time together alone. Let’s explore what this old and scenic park has to offer: Learn more about the history behind Fukuoka’s most famous park. Check out the park’s beautiful and scenic pond. Then, we…
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Fukuoka Castle – The Beautiful Castle Ruins Within a City
Did you know the city of Fukuoka (福岡) once had a castle known as Fukuoka Castle (福岡城)? Once considered the largest bastion in Kyushu (九州), today only the ruins of it remained in a park located in the city. So much so that it is called the Fukuoka Castle ruins (福岡城跡/Fukuoka-jo Ato); in which ‘Ato/跡’ here refers to ruins. Despite that, it is a well-known attraction among the locals simply for its atmospheric ruins and peaceful surroundings. So what makes the castle ruins a unique attraction on its own? Let’s explore the area further to discover it’s beauty: Find out more about the history of a castle that was once…
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Kitsuki Castle – A Complete Travel Guide To Japan’s Smallest Castle
Welcome back fellow travelers. Previously, we covered the hidden history together with the tragedy behind Kitsuki Castle (杵築城), Japan’s smallest castle. Subsequently, the castle was nearly forgotten throughout the passage of time. Fortunately, in 1970, the local council of Kitsuki (杵築) decided to rebuild the castle keep and later turned it into the town’s mascot. Did you know this little castle holds a treasure that very few people know about? Join me as today, we will be exploring the treasure that Kitsuki Castle holds dearly. Exploring Kitsuki Castle About Kitsuki Castle Located 25 km from the city of Beppu (別府) in the island of Kyushu (九州), the castle is located…
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The History of Kitsuki Castle – Japan’s Smallest Castle
Fellow travelers, let me first introduce to you Kitsuki Castle (杵築城), the smallest castle in Japan with a hidden history. A tiny castle with a mini overlooking a small samurai town, it certainly lives up to its tiny reputation. Even the founders of the castle are a relatively minor clan when compared to its brethren. Located 25 km from the city of Beppu (別府) of Kyushu (九州), Kitsuki Castle stands among the attractions in this charming sandwich caste town. The beautiful Kitsuki Castle hidden from afar, similarly to its relatively unknown history. The History of Kitsuki Castle Regardless, the castle played an important part in Kitsuki’s founding. Also it served…
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Kitsuki – A Comprehensive Travel Guide to the Sandwich Castle Town
Imagine a neighbourhood where samurai (侍) clans lived together as opposite neighbours. Introducing Kitsuki (杵築), a relatively authentic mini castle town, with a reputation as the hidden Little Kyōto (京都) in Kyushu (九州). Located in the Kunisaki peninsula (国東半島) in Kyushu, the town lies along the coast facing the Seto Inland Sea (瀬戸内海). It is the only sandwich castle town in Japan. To clarify its nickname, firstly, this town does not specialise in sandwiches. Instead, the town has a unique townscape of having two samurai districts on its hills; both of them sandwiching a commercial district in the middle. Yet, Kitsuki (杵築) remains relatively unknown due to its rural location…
