Kifune Castle — Attraction in Beppu

Wish I'd read the negative reviews before visiting, our visit left a bitter taste.

At first, staff seem friendly and accommodating with an English language guide booklet as they rush you around, however it later becomes obvious that it's just a pushy sales tactic to make you feel obliged to buy an amulet that you do not want (¥500/650 - relatively expensive and not very pretty, considering what other shrines offer).

This is on top of ¥300 entry, so for 3 people it quickly became very expensive for what is a small and mostly empty castle (except for a poor snake being kept in extremely sad conditions).

The view from the top deck is great, but overall be wary of the uncomfortable...

We visited Kifune Castle en route to Mount Aso by car in September 2024. It was a very educational half hour excursion with an extremely polite guide who held up signs for us in English explaining the history and artifacts of the castle. On an incredibly sunny day, we enjoyed the views from the top floor while watching birds of prey effortlessly gliding by on their hunt for food. If you pay attention, you can actually see the mountain that is set on fire during annual festivities - one half is always bare - the other is covered in trees! My highlight remains the wall depicting typical scenes in Japan and regarded as the postcards of their time!...

Unfortunately we didn't meet the tour guide whom can speak English... However, we had very pleasant self tour as we were the last visitor. This castle for me personally like personal house.. because behind this castle you will find two dogs with their Personal trainer, you can find sofa and personal photos there... You will find another old guy who kind of insist you to buy some stuff for 500 yen. That's ok. It's not hurt you that much tho ... The view is incredible amazing. The castle also has super old manuscript and old arrows.. the castle also little bit dusty but that's ok. The garden is soo nice....