# Fukuoka Castle

- **Country:** Japan
- **Coordinates:** 33.585000, 130.383056
- **Location Text:** Fukuoka, Fukuoka

Fukuoka Castle, also known as Maizuru Castle or Seki Castle, is a historic Japanese fortress located in Chūō-ku, Fukuoka City, within Fukuoka Prefecture. Constructed between 1601 and 1607 by the tozama daimyō Kuroda Nagamasa following his rewards for the Battle of Sekigahara, the structure served as the administrative center of the Fukuoka Domain throughout the Edo period until its demolition in 1871. Built as a hilltop castle on Fukusaki hill, it utilized the Naka River as a natural moat on the eastern side and nearby mudflats to the west. The site was strategically positioned near the bustling port of Hakata, with the associated castle town developed on the northern side facing the sea.

Although the main keep no longer stands, the grounds have been transformed into Maizuru Park, which now houses sports facilities, a courthouse, and an art museum. Several original structures survive within the park, including gates and turrets known as yagura. Notably, the Minamimaru Tamon Yagura, completed in 1854, is designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. The entire site holds the status of a National Historic Site, recognized officially in 1957 for its cultural value. Formerly, the location also hosted Heiwadai Baseball Stadium, serving as a home field for professional teams before its relocation.

The historical significance of the location extends even further back than the Edo period. In 1987, archaeologists discovered remnants of a korokan, an ancient guest house for foreign diplomats, beneath the castle grounds. This discovery marks the site as a vital geographical checkpoint dating back to the Heian period and represents the only such korokan remnant found in all of Japan. Today, the area remains a central landmark in Fukuoka, blending ancient history with modern public use while preserving key architectural elements from its feudal past.

![Photo of Fukuoka Castle](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/dd/Fukuoka_Castle_Simonohasi_Otemon_gate.JPG)

**Source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fukuoka_Castle (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)