History and culture come alive at the Fukuoka Castle Ruins

The Fukuoka Castle Ruins are a snapshot of history in a bustling city center, with plenty of attractions and experiences for travelers of all ages and interests. The castle’s construction was commissioned by the regional ruler Kuroda Yoshitaka and his son Nagamasa. Yoshitaka was a feudal lord who served as chief advisor to Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537–1598), one of the “Great Unifiers” of Japan. After Yoshitaka’s death in 1604, Nagamasa oversaw the completion of the castle. The castle site is preserved as Maizuru Park, and remnants of the castle remain on the grounds.

Maizuru Park, the site of Fukuoka Castle, is located in the city’s central Chuo Ward. Though only a few gates, turrets, and other features remain from the original seventeenth century fortress, the vestiges nonetheless create an impressive ambience that will stir your heart and transport you to another era. Approximately 480,000 square meters of the present-day park have been designated a national historic site. In the northeast section, a visitor center provides educational materials like a scale model and CG reconstruction of the castle grounds in their former glory.

An even more ancient site, the Korokan, is situated east of the castle ruins. The word korokan was coined during the Heian period (794–1185) to refer to a guest house for foreign ambassadors. Fukuoka’s korokan is thought to have been built as early as the late seventh century , and its remains were only uncovered in 1987. The Korokan Historical Museum preserves artifacts and documents that evidence cultural interactions between Japanese leaders and China’s Tang dynasty and the kingdom of Silla on the Korean peninsula.

To the northwest of the Fukuoka Castle Ruins is Sannomaru Square, an information center and rest area for visitors to the park. The facility also has an exhibition hall and a cafe, among other attractions.

Far from a lifeless relic, the Fukuoka Castle Ruins are the focal point of several unique experiences that allow you to actively engage with history. The smartphone app StreetMuseum provides an augmented reality view onto the area, showing visitors what the castle looked like in its heyday and supplementing the in-person experience with videos about the lives of the Kuroda family that served as the region’s political leaders.

Through the messaging app LINE, adults and children can solve riddles related to the castle ruins and the surrounding area. If you answer all the questions correctly, you can receive a commemorative card at Sannomaru Square.

Sannomaru Square houses a boutique called Mayu no Yakata, where you can rent or buy kimono and other traditional Japanese clothing. For rentals, there are various plans available for different lengths of time. This flexibility means you can choose the package that’s right for you, whether an hour-long stroll through the park, an immersive overnight experience, or even an unforgettable photo shoot for your wedding.

You can also arrange to have photos taken by drone through the company lib inc. , for images with the epic castle ruins as the backdrop. For a uniquely exhilarating experience, you can ride horses in Maizuru Park with the guidance of a professional instructor from Kokopelli Western Riding. Even beginners can partake in this incredibly distinctive experience of riding horses in an urban center.

You can also opt to include a sartorial element and wear rental kimonos for the drone photos or horseback riding experience. As this range of activities goes to show, there are many ways to put a special spin on your visit. When you’re ready for a snack, head back to the visitor center to grab a bite at Kuroda Chaya, a cafe that offers soft serve ice cream, locally sourced roasted yams, and more.

You may also want to purchase an official castle certificate at the visitor center or Sannomaru Square. These collectible souvenirs not only commemorate your visit to Fukuoka Castle, but may also inspire you to explore more castles across Japan.

Besides being packed with rich historical sites, Maizuru Park is also a popular spot for cherry blossom viewing when the sakura trees burst into bloom in early April. For horticultural enthusiasts, the park features splendid hydrangea, camellia, plum blossoms, Japanese irises, peonies, and lotuses coming into season at various points throughout the year. Between October and May, bird watchers may also catch a glimpse of warblers, kingfishers, woodpeckers, starlings, and more species flittering in the trees.

Adjoining Maizuru to the west is Ohori Park, another popular bird-watching spot and beautiful locale with a large pond. Row boats and paddle boats can be rented for a relaxing outing on the water. Right at the edge of Ohori Park is the Fukuoka Art Museum, a fixture of the city’s vibrant arts scene. With a collection of more than 16,000 artworks spanning time periods and geographical regions, the museum will continue to stimulate your imagination after your literal stroll through history in the Fukuoka Castle Ruins.