Hirado Castle

Hirado Castle, located in Hirado City, Nagasaki Prefecture, was the residence of the Matsura clan, lords of the Hirado Domain during the Edo period. The castle stands on a hill in the northern part of Hirado Island, overlooking Hirado Port, with the Kyushu mainland just across the water. Its strategic position made it a formidable stronghold, with the sea forming natural defenses on three sides. Built in the hirayama (hilltop) style with a terraced layout, the honmaru (main bailey) occupies the hilltop, the ninomaru (second bailey) lies to the south, and the sannomaru (third bailey) is situated to the east, creating a highly structured arrangement.

The original Hirado Castle was constructed at the end of the Azuchi–Momoyama period by Matsura Shigenobu but was soon dismantled. It was not until the mid-Edo period that the castle was rebuilt, based on the theories of the military strategist Yamaga Sokō. It remains the only surviving hilltop castle fully designed according to Yamaga-style military science. Within the castle, the Inui Sanjū-yagura (Northwest Three-Story Turret) once served in place of a tenshu (main keep). The layout of the castle reflected principles of geomancy and yin-yang beliefs—for example, a shrine was placed in the kimon (northeast “demon gate” direction) to spiritually protect the stronghold.

A famous legend is associated with the Tanuki Turret. During repairs in the Tenpō era, it is said that a family of tanuki (raccoon dogs) living beneath the turret transformed into a page boy and appeared before the lord at night, pleading to remain in their dwelling. They promised to safeguard the castle forever. The lord consented and ordered the turret restored, after which it became known as the “Tanuki Turret.”