Fukuoka Castle

Fukuoka Castle is a Japanese castle in the Japanese city of Fukuoka. Maizuru Castle and Seki Castle are two other names for it. The Japanese government declared it a historic landmark when it was completed in the early Edo period for tozama daimy Kuroda Nagamasa.

Fukuoka Castle is located on the top of Fukusaki hill in the heart of Fukuoka. The Naka River, or Nakagawa in Japanese, serves as a natural moat on the castle's eastern side, while a mudflat serves as a natural moat on the castle's western side. Hakata, a busy port ward, is located on the opposite bank of the Naka River to the east. The castle town was built on the northern side of the island, facing the sea.

Maizuru Park, which houses many sports facilities, a courtroom, and an art museum, has taken up much of the castle grounds. The castle grounds also housed Heiwadai Baseball Stadium, the former home of the Nishitetsu Lions and Fukuoka Daiei Hawks. Some of the castle's gates, as well as its towers and turrets, known as yaguras, are retained within the park, one of which has been designated by the Japanese government as an important historical artifact.

In 1987, the remains of a korokan, an ancient guest house for foreign diplomats, were unearthed beneath the castle grounds, demonstrating that the castle served as an important geographical post even during the Heian period. This is the only korokan relic unearthed in Japan.

Fukuoka Castle ranks tenth in our list of the most beautiful historical sites in Japan.

Location: Chuo-ku, Fukuoka Prefecture, Fukuoka City, Japan