The remains of Akizuki Castle.
Built in 1624, the castle was home to both Akizuki and Kuroda clans, who ruled over the 50,000 koku (koku is the area of land that can grow 150kg of rice) Akizuki domain for almost 400 years.
The grounds can be found above Sugi-no-Baba, Akizuki’s sakura tree-lined high street. While the main castle was torn down following the Akizuki Samurai Rebellion of 1876, several of its features remain. These include the front moat, stone walls, several watchtowers and the restored castle gates.
The Kuromon (black gate) was once the main gate but was relocated in 1880 to its current position in front of Suiyou Shrine in 1880. The newer-looking Nagayamon gate was restored in the late 1980s.
The slope crossing the moat, leading up to the castle’s original main entrance is called Kawara (tile) Hill as it is paved with lines of roof tiles to help horses ascend the slope. Above the slope you can identify the original location of the Kuromon gate from the different brick pattern.
Today the castle grounds are home to the Akizuki Junior High School and Suiyou Shrine. To the north a number of houses can be seen. It’s in this area where higher ranking samurai of the Akizuki and Kuroda clans used to live. This road is accessed from Sugi-no-Baba and leads to Nisshoin Temple.
A number of relics from the castle can be found in the Akizuki Museum.
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