This is the 18th castle I have visited in Japan; historically, I could relate more with this castle mainly because of the fact that I am a Christian. The history of this castle dates back to the rebellion of the Christian community in this part of Japan against the Tokugawa Shogunate that had pursued a policy of discrimination against those of the Christian faith, it was the largest scale rebellion that the Tokugawa government had faced in there 200 year rule of Japan. This castle has extensive history on the events of that rebellion, the deployment of forces to intercept and defend against the government forces, it also has a collection of samurai and western-inspired weapons and armory that were used by soldiers and rebels of the time. The failure of that rebellion led to the enforcement of the proscription of Christians and forceful conversion, and subsequent torture of those that refused to abandon the Christian faith. The official document which outlawed Christianity in Japan is also showcased within this castle and has been perfectly preserved. What struck me the most were the many depictions of the torture and killing of Christians in this region which has an active volcano, and the great lengths that Japanese Christians went through to practice Christianity, even going as far as to mask Christian images and statues to look like those of the Buddhist faith. Due to the lack of foreign missionaries for many years, Christianity in Japan took on a new face and new images of Mary the mother of Christ and even Jesus himself were used in place of those well recognizable by the Roman Catholic Church.

Generally, it was a highly educative trip and entry into this castle cost 400 yen. I highly recommend a visit by castle enthusiasts, Japanese history enthusiasts, and even Christians.