Kushima Castle Ruins

Overview

Kushima Castle Ruins are the remains of the castle of the Omura clan, located in Kushima, Omura City, Nagasaki Prefecture. Built on the tip of a peninsula jutting out into Omura Bay, this hirayama-jo castle consisted of a honmaru (main enclosure), ninomaru (second enclosure), and sannomaru (third enclosure). The honmaru, roughly square-shaped, was approximately 15 meters high and covered 9,458 square meters, surrounded by stone walls. It had three tiger gates: a western gate (ko-guchi-mon), a southern gate (daidokoro-mon), and a northern gate (karamono-mon). However, a tenshu (main keep) was never built. The ninomaru, measuring 29,921 square meters, lacked stone walls but featured a large central dry moat. The sannomaru, covering a vast 79,091 square meters at the peninsula's tip, housed storehouses and offices related to ships. Notably, all the moats utilized seawater, showcasing the castle's maritime characteristics. The northern side, originally a shallow sea, had a submerged moat to prevent enemy access from the shallows (this area is now reclaimed). This type of submerged moat is unique to this castle. The stone walls of the honmaru and the southern moat remain, and a wooden gate tower (itashiki-yagura) was reconstructed in 1992. Now part of Omura Park, the site features seasonal flowers, including the Oomurazakura, a natural monument, and irises. It's selected as one of the top 100 cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan. The honmaru site houses Omura Shrine, with a monument to the castle's founder, Omura Yoshimae, and a statue of the last lord, Omura Sumiki. Kushima Castle Ruins are a valuable historical site offering a glimpse into Omura's history. Beautifully maintained as a park, it's perfect for strolling and enjoying the blossoms. Visit Kushima Castle Ruins and experience its blend of history and nature.