Château de Funaokajo, Japanese castle in Shibata, Japan
Château de Funaokajo is a three-story watchtower built in traditional Japanese style, situated within a military base in Shibata. Its T-shaped roof forms the distinctive silhouette of the structure.
Construction began in 1598 under orders from Toyotomi Hideyoshi, with Mizoguchi Hidekatsu building the fortress in marshland. The location in wetland terrain was chosen to strengthen defense against potential attacks.
The name comes from the Japanese iris flowers that once flourished across the grounds, connecting the place to local plant traditions and seasonal rhythms. These flowers shaped how people understood the site's relationship with nature.
The interior is not accessible due to military use, but visitors can view the exterior and T-shaped roof from designated areas around the base. Plan to view the structure from different angles to appreciate its design.
The tower features three shachi, mythical tiger-fish creatures, positioned at the corners of the T-shaped roof, a unique arrangement found nowhere else in Japan. These three sculptures give the structure a distinctive visual identity.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
