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Fukuyama Castle Stay
Fukuyama Castle is known for being Japan’s closest castle to a railway station. It is also rare in being the only castle keep with the north side clad in iron plates. The Fukuyama Castle Stay program is a unique, luxurious experience allowing you exclusive use of the entire castle grounds, to fully enjoy Fukuyama's valuable assets, history, food, and culture. Enter the castle dressed as the lord or princess for a timeless and extraordinary encounter with Japan’s samurai history.
History of Fukuyama Castle
A Magnificent Castle That Has Stood the Test of Time
Magnificent Fukuyama Castle features a restored castle tower with rare protective iron plates on the northern side, as well as turrets and gates of great historical value. Walking the castle grounds, you can feel the spirit of the castles’ proud samurai. Enjoy the historical romance in the tranquility of time and space.
Fukuyama CastleFukuyama Castle
Fukuyama Castle was built by Lord Mizuno Katsunari, a cousin of Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, and completed in 1622. It developed as the political and cultural center of Fukuyama Domain. Abe Masahiro, the lord of Fukuyama from 1836 to 1857 was known for promoting innovative policies with an eye towards international exchange. Fukuyama Castle, overlooking the Seto Inland Sea, is characterized by its elegant and powerful exterior and Japan's only partially iron-plated keep structure. Highly appraised for its cultural value as a historical heritage site, Fukuyama Castle continues to be a major tourist attraction.
What You’ll Experience
- The keep is yours for private viewing.
- Enjoy the exclusive Castle Museum & Bar.
- Indulge in the castle tower night lounge in the uppermost Tenku-no-ma.
Sujigane-gomon GateSujiganegomon
Designated an Important Cultural Property, the Sujigane-gomon, the main gate to the Fukuyama Castle’s central citadel symbolizes the castles’ defensive capabilities. This sturdy gate, fitted with iron bars, was bestowed by Tokugawa Hidetada, the second shogun of the Edo shogunate, and carries an impressive air of dignity and authority. The large central doors of zelkova wood were usually closed, and visitors are said to have entered and exited through the smaller door to the left side. Its appearance even now conveys a rich sense of history.
What You’ll Experience
- Castle Entry Experience
Tsukimi Yagura TurretTsukimiyagura
Fukuyama Castle’s Tsukimi Yagura, (moon-viewing turret), on the southeastern corner of the main citadel is a historical structure featuring military elements such as stone-dropping chutes. The two-story defensive turret with balustrade and surrounding veranda once overlooked samurai residences, homes of the townspeople, and even Fukuyama Bay. In the Fukuyama Castle Stay program, you’ll lodge in the Tsukimi Yagura as the lord of Fukuyama Castle for a day and enjoy various luxuries, banquets, historical and cultural experiences.
What You’ll Experience
- Presentation of the Castle Lord Certificate
- Banquet
- Accommodation
Fukuju Kaikan HallFukujukaikan
Located on the site of Edo period (1603-1868) Fukuyama Domain’s rice storehouses, Fukuju Kaikan is a prestigious building constructed by Anbe Wasuke, a seafood merchant who made his fortune in the early to mid-1900s. The vast 7,395 square meter property consists of the main building, south and west tearooms, east and west storehouses, and a Western-style building, all of which are registered as National Tangible Cultural Properties. During your Fukuyama Castle Stay, you will check in and change into your castle stay attire in this historic hall. This is where your special experience, full of history and prestige, begins.
What You’ll Experience
- Check-in
- Change into period attire
- Breakfast
Oyudono BathhouseOyudono
The Oyudono bathhouse was a sauna styled steam bath and recreates the bathing culture of the time. The Monomi-no-ma lookout annex on the south side offered a magnificent view overlooking the castle town. After bathing, guests can relax in the tatami room where the feudal lords of the time are said to have cooled off. Enjoy a moment of physical and mental relaxation while experiencing the culture of a bygone era.
What You’ll Experience
- Bathing
ScheduleSchedule
Day1/
2:45pm
Fukuyama Station
Pick-Up: Be welcomed by armored samurai.
Day1/
3pm
Fukuju Kaikan Hall
Check-In: Luggage storage, check-in procedures, explanation of the day's schedule.
Day1/
4pm
Fukuju Kaikan Hall
Changing Clothes: Change into traditional samurai lord (or princess’) attire.
Day1/
5:30pm
Sujigane-gomon (National Important Cultural Property) Castle Entry Experience:
Enter the castle as the Lord of Fukuyama.
Tsukimi Yagura Turret
Castle Lord's Ceremony, changing attire: Receive your certificate as Fukuyama’s One-Day Castle Lord in a ceremony.
Day1/
6:35pm
Tsukimi Yagura Turret Dinner
Banquet
Day1/
8:50pm
Fukuyama Castle Tower Keep
Castle Museum & Bar: Private viewing of the tower keep, then enjoy an exclusive night lounge in the top floor Tenku-no-ma.
Day1/
10pm
Oyudono Bathhouse
Sauna reminiscent of the steam baths of the Edo period is available.
Day1/
11pm
Tsukimi Yagura Turret
Sleep in the elegant turret.
Day2/
8am
Fukuju Kaikan Hall(Registered National Tangible Cultural Property)
Breakfast
Day2/
9am
Fushimi Yagura Turret (National Important Cultural Property)
Be guided through this extant tower, usually closed to the public.
Day2/
11am
Make reservations here
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