Kashima Castle, Japanese castle in Kashima, Japan.
Kashima Castle is a Japanese castle in Kashima featuring stone-stacked ramparts, traditional moats, and two main gates, including the red Akamon gate completed in 1808. The grounds display the defensive architecture typical of its era with reinforced walls and strategic access points.
The castle was founded in 1609 by Nabeshima Tadashige and served as a military base for the Nabeshima Clan. It remained an important regional stronghold until the samurai era ended in the late 1800s.
The streets nearby contain preserved samurai homes with traditional walls and gates that show how the ruling class lived during feudal times. Walking through them gives a sense of the social order that once shaped this place.
The site is about a 20-minute walk from Hizen-Kashima Station and easy to reach on foot. Wear sturdy shoes since the grounds are uneven and rain can make the paths slippery.
The original castle stood at a nearby location but had to be relocated in 1807 due to repeated flooding. This move was unusual in Japanese castle history and shows the practical challenges that samurai rulers faced.
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