Aya Castle — Attraction in Aya

A Hidden Castle Frozen in Time 🧘Peaceful, Remote, and Truly Unique This is not a grand castle — it’s a quiet one, and that’s its beauty. Perfect for those who want to disconnect and feel the stillness of history and nature combined. A true hidden gem in southern Japan.

Unlike many of Japan’s castles located in busy cities, Aya Castle is nestled quietly in the mountains of Aya Town, Miyazaki — completely removed from the noise of modern life. Surrounded by thick forest and birdsong, it feels like stepping into a forgotten page of history.

There are no flashy shops or tourist crowds here. The surrounding town is small and slow-paced, with just a few local homes, a horseback riding ground, the famous Aya Teruha Suspension Bridge, and the secret Chihiro Falls hidden a few kilometers away. Commercial development is minimal, making this one of the most peaceful castle visits you’ll experience in Japan.

The castle itself is modest in size, but full of character. Reconstructed with traditional materials, it offers a simple museum inside and an incredible panoramic view from the top floor. As you wander its wooden corridors, it’s hard not to imagine the kind of lord who once lived here — someone solitary, thoughtful, perhaps even a little mysterious.

✨ Ticket Price: • Adults: ¥500

🚗 Access: • From Miyazaki City, it’s about 1 hour by car. • There’s a small parking lot near the castle base. • Public transport is limited — renting a car is highly recommended for accessing Aya Town and nearby attractions like the bridge...

A good place to visit if you are planning to go to Aya. A good way to explore Aya town is to first visit the Aya Castle which is walking distance from the main bus stop of Aya town. If you are taking a car it would be easier. This castle is about 700 years old and has been maintained very well. The atmosphere of the castle complex is serene and you would also get to see some handicrafts that are on display there. Old memorabilia and arms used by warriors are on display in the museum which is located in the main castle building. The cost of ticket for adults is 350 ¥ (Japanese Yen). Although fee for junior high school students and high school students are a bit less. And if you go with a group of people more that 15, per person ticket would only cost 100 ¥. If you are visiting near Aya town, be sure to check this castle out if you have interest in learning about Japanese history...

It’s small but it worth to visit this castle and you can find out Japanese history! It is surrounded by trees and bamboos so you can hear insects noise if you go summer, and you can enter the castle to check the exhibitions, plus you can see the amazing views from top of the castle at the end!

The parking is free but the entree fee is...