Saga Castle Park

Saga Castle Park is an urban park featuring water-filled moats and the remains of a former castle in Jōnai, Japan. The constructed waterways border the grounds while raised earthen ramparts and reconstructed structures outline where the original fortifications once stood.

The castle was built between 1602 and 1611 by the Nabeshima clan and served as the governing center of the Saga Domain. It remained the administrative seat of the region until feudal rule ended in 1868.

The Saga Castle History Museum in the reconstructed main palace displays exhibits about regional architecture and daily life during the feudal period. Visitors can walk through traditional rooms and understand how the ruling family lived and governed from this location.

The park is open daily without entrance fees and offers audio guides in multiple languages. Informational panels at different locations explain the historical significance of various areas and help visitors navigate the grounds.

The main palace was fully reconstructed in wood in 2004 and represents one of the largest restoration projects of its kind in Japan. The reconstruction demonstrates traditional Japanese building techniques and how such structures were originally built.

Location: Jōnai

Inception: 1966

Part of: 100 Best Urban Parks in Japan, 100 Best Historical Parks in Japan

Website: http://sagajoupark.com

GPS coordinates: 33.24440,130.30150

Latest update: December 13, 2025 12:40