Ishida Castle, Japanese castle in Fukue, Japan
Ishida Castle is a Japanese fortress in Fukue built with stone walls made from natural rocks, including a preserved back gate called Kedashi-mon and several remaining stone bridges. The site now houses a tourism museum and cultural center, where visitors can see the original structure and its gardens.
The fortress was completed in 1863 by the last lord of Fukue Domain, Goto Moritoku, and served as a coastal defense structure against foreign ships. It was one of the last castles built in Japan during a time of major change.
The Goto clan garden shows a traditional Japanese stroll garden designed after the Kinkaku-ji temple in Kyoto. Visitors can experience how the noble family created spaces for peaceful walking and contemplation within the fortress grounds.
The grounds are accessible and house several facilities open year-round with guided tours available. Plan to spend at least a few hours exploring the stone walls, bridges, and gardens at a comfortable pace.
The garden contains distinctive volcanic rocks from Mount Onidake and southern plants like betel palms and cycads around a heart-shaped pond. This combination of local stone and exotic plants shows the ambitious botanical taste of the last ruling family.
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