# Yatsushiro Castle

- **Country:** Japan
- **Location Text:** Yatsushiro, Kumamoto

Yatsushiro Castle, located in Yatsushiro City within Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, is a historic hirajiro-style flatland castle originally constructed in 1622. The structure was built by Masataka Katō under the orders of Katō Tadahiro following the destruction of the previous Mugishima Castle by a severe earthquake in 1619. Throughout its history, the site served as a significant residence for prominent figures, most notably Hosokawa Tadaoki, who entered the castle in 1632 by order of the Tokugawa shogunate to spend his retirement years within the kitanomaru compound. The castle remained under the ownership of the Matsui clan until its demolition in 1870 during the early Meiji period.

Today, the castle exists only as ruins, with visitors able to view remnants of its original stone walls and water moats. Despite the loss of its main structures, the site retains substantial historical value and was officially registered as a National Historic Site in 2014. This designation combines the remains of Yatsushiro Castle with those of Furufumoto and Mugishima Castles to preserve the collective heritage of the region. Furthermore, the location gained renewed recognition in 2017 when it was listed as one of the Continued Top 100 Japanese Castles, highlighting its enduring legacy in Japanese military architecture and local history.

The grounds now serve as a public historical landmark where the layout of the former fortress can still be discerned through old maps and surviving earthworks. While no main keep or wooden structures remain standing, the extensive stone fortifications provide a tangible connection to the Edo period and the strategic importance of the area. The site stands as a quiet testament to the region's feudal past, offering educational insights into the reconstruction efforts following natural disasters and the subsequent political shifts that shaped Kumamoto Prefecture.

![Photo of Yatsushiro Castle](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/09/Yatsushiro_castle3.jpg)

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