Interaction with the continent(5)
Interaction across a Narrow Strait (Exchange between the Japanese Archipelago and the Korean Peninsula)
The Higashimatsuura Peninsula is the part of the Japanese mainland that is nearest the Korean Peninsula. This is why it was used as a military base by Toyotomi Hideyoshi during the The Japanese invasions of Korea, and was the setting for an unfortunate part of history when relations between the Japanese Archipelago and the Korean Peninsula were temporarily cut off.
The ruins of Nagoya Castle in Saga Prefecture, which was built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi and said to have been second only to Osaka Castle in size at the time, and various daimyos’ encampments in the surrounding area, have been designated special historical sites. They are well-preserved, so they make valuable historical heritage for thinking about the future of relations between the archipelago and the peninsula.
Related Spots
Saga Prefectural Nagoya Castle Museum
This museum with a theme of the history of interaction between the Japanese Archipelago and the Korean Peninsula has a permanent display of approximately 220 items that show thousands of years of intercourse from primitive ancient times to the modern age.
Aiming to become a center for promoting future interaction and friendship, it has multilingual tablets on hand.
Location: 1931-3 Nagoya, Chinzei-machi, Karatsu-shi, Saga
PH: 0955-82-4905 (Nagoya Castle Museum)
Website: Saga Prefectural Nagoya Castle Museum
https://saga-museum.jp/nagoya/language/english/
Admission: Free
* Special exhibitions require fees.
Transportation: Approx. 5 min walk from “Nagoya-jo Hakubutsukan Iriguchi” bus stop
Approx. 40 min from Nishi-Kyushu Expressway Karatsu Interchange
Parking: Available (free)
Special Historical Sites: Nagoya Castle Ruins and Encampment Sites
This site is in the center of a hill at elevation approximately 90 meters on Hado Cape, at the northern tip of the Higashimatsuura Peninsula that juts out into the Genkai Sea. The Nagoya Castle Ruins have a total area of more than 17 hectares. Many of the encampments still have stone walls, earthen walls, moats, building remains, gate remains and other remains in good condition, and each has a size and structure that brings to mind mountain castles of the Middle Ages.
Location: 1931-3 Nagoya, Chinzei-machi, Karatsu-shi, Saga
PH: 0955-82-4905 (Nagoya Castle Museum)
Website: Saga Prefectural Nagoya Castle Museum
https://saga-museum.jp/nagoya/language/english/
Admission: Free
* Special exhibitions require fees.
Transportation: Approx. 5 min walk from “Nagoya-jo Hakubutsukan Iriguchi” bus stop
Approx. 40 min from Nishi-Kyushu Expressway Karatsu Interchange
Parking: Available (free)
Hado Cape
The picturesque scenery here makes up Genkai Quasi-National Park. Hado Cape has Japan’s only underwater observation tower, which allows visitors to enjoy the undersea world. Nearby islands have many legends related to interaction with the Korean Peninsula, and Kakara Island is known for its well that was said to have been used for the first bath of Muryeong of Baekje, the 25th king of Baekje.
Location: Hado, Chinzei-machi, Karatsu-shi, Saga
Transportation: 20 min from Yobuko by bus
(Take the bus toward Hado Misaki and get off at the last bus stop “Hado Misaki”)
5 min walk from Hado Misaki
Approx. 40 min from Nishi-Kyushu Expressway Karatsu Interchange