The first castle of Hirado's mighty Matsura Clan was started back in 1599 during the closing years of the Sengoku Period. Unfortunately, they were forced to burn down the castle in 1613, just a year after it was finished, to prove their loyalty to the Tokugawa Shogunate. By 1704, the Matsura had regained their influence and prominence and set about constructing a new castle, which would then be completed in 1718. But in 1871, Hirado Castle was once again dismantled as part of the Meiji Restoration's abolition of the samurai system, and the Tsurugamine Mansion, which served as the Matsura's ancestral estate, was turned into the Matsura Historical Museum.

The modern incarnation of Hirado Castle was built in 1962 and is still based in the same location as the previous castles. Though not a full reconstruction, the castle has a central keep and four watchtowers called yagura, which originally served as lookout ramparts. The keep is now open as a museum, with collections of armaments, artworks, and documents, from the Matsura Clan, along with new interactive exhibits and digital art. Hirado Castle Stay Kaijuyagura is the easternmost rampart, Kaiju, which has a somewhat secluded location and overlooks Shirahama Harbor.

Design and Architecture

Kaijuyagura, like the rest of modern Hirado Castle, was built using modern materials and construction techniques. The exterior is still quite faithful to classic samurai era aesthetics, making it a good backdrop for photos. Inside, however, Kaijuyagura has a very modern approach to design and decor. Instead of plaster walls, guests will see stylishly painted concrete with quirky fixtures and accouterments. There's also a Japanese tatami room, though the quirky contemporary take might be a surprise for guests. That said, it's quite fitting for Hirado Castle Stay Kaijuyagura to have an eclectic blend of traditional and modern aesthetics with overt foreign influences. Hirado, after all, did serve as a major trading post with foreigners such as the Dutch and Portuguese, and where exchanges of items, ideas, and culture took place.

For guests staying at Hirado Castle Stay Kaijuyagura, their meals will be masterfully prepared by the chef and served by the waitstaff. Each dinner will be an eye-catching and flavorful presentation of Hirado's traditional recipes and regional delicacies. Each dish involves ingredients from Hirado's bountiful seas and rich subtropical farmlands, providing rich flavors unique to Nagasaki.

Also located within Hirado Castle's grounds is Cafe INUI, a stylish cafe restaurant offering set lunch courses. It is open from 11 am to 4 pm daily.

Cultural Experiences

Hirado Castle Stay Kaijuyagura is in itself a cultural experience, as not only can guests spend a holiday living in a Japanese castle, the castle's keep is also accessible as a museum with numerous collections and interactive exhibits to see. Outside of the castle grounds, Hirado and the surrounding towns and cities also have plenty of attractions worth checking out. The Dutch Trading Post is a faithful reconstruction of the foreign trading outpost from 1639, and also functions as a museum about trade between the Dutch and Japanese during the Edo Period. The Matsura Historical Museum is the former ancestral home of the Matsura Clan, Tsurugamine Mansion. Many Matsura treasures not on display in Hirado Castle can instead be found here. There's also the Ikitsuki Island Museum Shima no Yakata, a local industrial museum showcasing the fishing and whaling industry of Hirado as well as how locals preserved and hid their Christian faith.

Other Celebrations

Although Hirado Castle Stay Kaijuyagura does not have venues to rent out for private events, they do offer a slew of stay experiences for guests. It wouldn't be a stretch to see if they can provide personalized service for a celebration, such as for a birthday or anniversary. They might even be able to recommend or come up with an itinerary for the special day, so make sure to contact them.