Kitsuki Castle

Kitsuki Castle is a Japanese castle made of concrete on Shiroyama hill in Kitsuki, rising between two rivers along the southern coast of Kunisaki Peninsula. The three-story tower overlooks the town and coastline with compact rooms housing weapons collections and regional documents.

The Kitsuki clan constructed the original fortress in 1394 to secure the strategic position between mountain passes and the sea. After the Meiji Restoration, wooden structures were dismantled before the current concrete tower was reconstructed in 1970.

The site illustrates the social order of feudal times, when castle lords oversaw surrounding trade routes and fishing villages. Visitors can see how living quarters for samurai families and their retainers were arranged across different levels.

The site sits roughly 15 minutes on foot from Kitsuki Station, set on a raised hill with stairs to climb. Guided tours are offered regularly and help with navigation through the winding rooms and exhibition areas.

The 1970 reconstruction is known as the smallest castle building in Japan with only three compact floors. Despite its modest dimensions, the tower offers sweeping views over coast and inland that rival defense positions at larger fortresses.