Château de Musée Hirashima

Château de Musée Hirashima is a Japanese castle in Anan featuring layered defensive structures with fortified walls, strategic gates, and watchtowers positioned throughout the grounds. The complex includes exhibition spaces displaying artifacts from different periods of the feudal era.

The castle emerged during the feudal period when regional lords needed fortified strongholds to protect their territories and display their power. Its architectural features reflect different development stages of these defensive systems.

The castle displays samurai armor, traditional weapons, and documents showing how Japanese military culture evolved over time. These objects tell the story of how such fortresses shaped the lives of regional lords and their communities.

The castle is accessible through guided tours with informational panels in multiple languages explaining the architectural features. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes as the grounds are uneven and exploring the various areas takes considerable time.

The castle's stone foundations display traditional Japanese construction methods that cleverly integrated the natural terrain into the defensive system. This approach allowed builders to create a stronger fortress while using the landscape to their advantage.