A 5-day, 4-night castle-touring itinerary from Tokyo to northern Kyushu and Hiroshima by Shinkansen. It was a three-generation trip with my 8-year-old son and his grandpa and grandma, who joined us from Chiba. We visited seven castles — Kokura, Fukuoka, Hizen-Nagoya, Karatsu, Yoshinogari, Saga, and Hiroshima — plus the World Heritage sites of Itsukushima Shrine and the Atomic Bomb Dome.
Key points of this itinerary
- Castles: 5 of Japan’s 100 Fine Castles (Fukuoka, Hizen-Nagoya, Yoshinogari, Saga, Hiroshima) + 2 of the Continued 100 Fine Castles (Kokura, Karatsu)
- Transport: Shinkansen between Tokyo and Kyushu/Hiroshima, car in the Saga/Karatsu area, limited express from Saga to Hakata
- Stays: Mercure Saga Karatsu Resort (1 night), great-grandma’s house in Saga (2 nights), Hilton Hiroshima (1 night)
- Recommended for: families with kids who want to cover the 100 Fine Castles efficiently, families combining a visit to relatives with castle touring, and families traveling with grandparents
1. Overall Route and Trip Planner
A castle-hopping route that covers the 100 Fine Castles, Continued 100 Fine Castles, and World Heritage sites from northern Kyushu to Hiroshima in 5 days and 4 nights. In the first half, we tackled the Fukuoka and Saga area by Shinkansen and car; in the second half, we took the Shinkansen to Hiroshima to visit Hiroshima Castle, the Atomic Bomb Dome, and Miyajima.
Route and locations
Kokura Castle (Kokura) ➔ Fukuoka Castle (Fukuoka) ➔ Hizen-Nagoya Castle & Karatsu Castle (Karatsu) ➔ Yoshinogari & Saga Castle (Saga) ➔ Hiroshima Castle & Atomic Bomb Dome (Hiroshima) ➔ Itsukushima Shrine (Miyajima)
Timetable (including a 20-minute buffer)
Day 1: Kitakyushu, Fukuoka & Karatsu
- 07:00 – 11:45 Tokyo Station ➔ Kokura Station (Nozomi Shinkansen)
- 12:00 – 12:45 Lunch of local niku udon (beef udon) at Ganso Kyoya
- 13:00 – 14:15 Kokura Castle
- 14:30 – 14:50 Kokura Station ➔ Hakata Station (Sakura Shinkansen, non-reserved seat / about 15 min)
- 15:15 – 16:45 Fukuoka Castle ruins & Ohori Park (grandpa and grandma join us here)
- 17:30 – 18:30 Drive to the Karatsu area in the rental car grandpa and grandma booked
- 19:00 – 21:00 Dinner at 山茂, a seafood restaurant in Karatsu
- 21:30 Stay at Mercure Saga Karatsu Resort
Day 2: Karatsu & Hizen-Nagoya
- 07:00 – 09:00 Morning bath, sauna, and a break in the lounge at the hotel
- 09:30 – 12:00 Hizen-Nagoya Castle ruins & Nagoya Castle Museum
- 12:30 – 12:45 Lunch of the famous Karatsu Burger
- 13:00 – 14:00 Karatsu Castle
- 14:00 – 15:30 Karatsu Kunchi Hikiyama Exhibition Hall
- 16:00 – 17:30 Drive toward Kohoku & dinner of the famous Ide Champon
- 18:00 Stay at great-grandma’s house in Kohoku
Day 3: Saga & Yoshinogari
- 10:00 – 12:00 Yoshinogari Historical Park
- 12:30 – 13:30 Lunch of Sicilian Rice at the 13th-floor observation hall of the Saga Prefectural Government Building
- 14:15 – 16:00 Saga Castle ruins & Saga Castle History Museum
- 17:00 Stay at great-grandma’s house in Kohoku
Day 4: Hiroshima
- approx. 08:30 – approx. 09:30 Kohoku Station ➔ Hakata Station (Relay Kamome limited express / about 1 hour)
- 10:00 – 11:07 Hakata Station ➔ Hiroshima Station (Nozomi Shinkansen No. 136)
- 11:30 – 12:15 Hiroshima Castle (reconstructed Ninomaru buildings, etc.)
- 12:30 – 13:15 Lunch of Onomichi ramen near the soccer stadium
- 13:30 – 14:40 Atomic Bomb Dome & Peace Memorial Park
- 15:00 – 17:30 Check in at Hilton Hiroshima & indoor pool and sauna
- 18:00 – 19:30 Dinner at the okonomiyaki restaurant Takaya
- 20:00 – 21:30 Live music at the hotel bar ZATTA
- 22:00 Bedtime
Day 5: Miyajima & Heading Home
- 08:30 – 11:30 Visit Miyajima & Itsukushima Shrine
- 12:00 – 12:30 Pick up takeout okonomiyaki from Micchan Sohonten at Hiroshima Station
- 12:30 – 16:30 Hiroshima Station ➔ Tokyo Station (Nozomi Shinkansen / lunch on board)
2. Getting Around (Shinkansen, Car & Limited Express)
Shinkansen
Since this is a long-distance trip from Tokyo spanning Kyushu and Hiroshima, the Nozomi Shinkansen is the backbone. Between Kokura and Hakata we used a non-reserved seat on the Sakura Shinkansen. It was crowded and we had to stand, but it’s just one stop and about 15 minutes, so it was no trouble even with a child.
Saga & Karatsu area by car
Suburban castles like Hizen-Nagoya and Yoshinogari are hard to reach by train alone. In our case, grandpa and grandma, who joined us in Fukuoka on day 1, rented a car and we toured the Karatsu and Saga area by car. By car, it’s about 20–30 minutes from Hizen-Nagoya Castle to Karatsu Castle.
If you rent a car, it’s convenient to pick it up at Hakata or Saga Station and return it once you’ve finished sightseeing in the Saga area.
Limited express from Saga to Hakata
On day 4, we took the Relay Kamome limited express from Kohoku Station to Hakata Station. It takes about an hour, and we changed to the Shinkansen at Hakata for Hiroshima.
Parking
Hizen-Nagoya Castle ruins, Yoshinogari Historical Park, and Saga Castle ruins have large parking lots and are easy to reach by car. On the other hand, coin parking around Kokura and Hakata stations and in central Hiroshima tends to fill up, so we recommend getting around by Shinkansen, on foot, and by streetcar there.
3. [Day 1] Kokura Castle to Fukuoka Castle
Kokura Castle (Continued 100 Fine Castles of Japan)
- Time needed: about 1 hour 15 minutes
- Access: about 15 minutes’ walk from JR Kokura Station. Parking at Katsuyama Park (paid) and nearby lots
- Admission: adults ¥350 / junior high & high school students ¥200 / elementary school students ¥100
- Highlights: the keep is built in the karazukuri style, where the 5th floor is larger than the 4th. Inside, the hands-on exhibits keep kids entertained. My 8-year-old son had a blast riding a horse and striking poses with samurai and tiger pictures — a great start to our castle tour.
Lunch: Kokura’s famous niku udon
When we arrived in Kokura, we headed first to Ganso Kyoya, a renowned niku udon (beef udon) shop. The interior is packed with Eikichi Yazawa merchandise, making a strong impression from the moment you walk in. The combination of sweet-and-savory beef with plenty of ginger and the shop’s signature bright-green yomogi (mugwort) noodles was a satisfying bowl and the perfect start to the trip.
Fukuoka Castle Ruins (100 Fine Castles of Japan)
- Time needed: about 2 hours
- Access: about 8 minutes’ walk from Ohorikoen Station on the subway. Paid parking at Ohori Park and nearby
- Admission: free to walk around
- Highlights: the vast stone walls and the view from the keep foundation. Grandpa and grandma joined us here, and three generations strolled leisurely through neighboring Ohori Park.
- A note: we ran out of time for the Pokémon Center at Hakata Station, so that’s saved for next time. Not trying to do too much is one of the secrets to enjoying travel with kids.
Dinner: 山茂 in Karatsu
After Fukuoka Castle, we drove to Karatsu in the rental car and had dinner at 山茂 in the city. We were really looking forward to the famous Yobuko squid, but unfortunately there was none that day. Yobuko squid depends on the day’s catch, so if you have your heart set on it, check with the restaurant in advance.
4. [Day 2] Hizen-Nagoya Castle to Karatsu Castle
It’s about 20–30 minutes by car from Hizen-Nagoya Castle ruins to Karatsu Castle. Visiting Hizen-Nagoya Castle in the morning and Karatsu Castle and the Hikiyama Exhibition Hall in the afternoon is the most efficient plan.
Hizen-Nagoya Castle Ruins (100 Fine Castles of Japan)
- Time needed: about 2 hours 30 minutes
- Parking: free parking available
- Admission: free to walk around (Nagoya Castle Museum is also free)
- Highlights: a huge castle built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi as his base for the invasions of Korea (the Bunroku and Keicho campaigns). The surrounding area is dotted with the camp sites of warlords from all over Japan, such as Tokugawa Ieyasu and Date Masamune, and the sheer scale is overwhelming. Nature is rich here too, and my son was thrilled to catch grasshoppers.
Hizen-Nagoya Castle vs. Nagoya Castle
The names are pronounced almost the same, but they are completely different castles. Hizen-Nagoya Castle (名護屋城) is in Karatsu, Saga Prefecture, built by Hideyoshi for his invasions of Korea (today its stone walls and other ruins remain). Nagoya Castle (名古屋城) is in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, built on the orders of Tokugawa Ieyasu and famous for its golden shachihoko roof ornaments.
Local food: Karatsu Burger
On the way from Hizen-Nagoya Castle to Karatsu Castle, we stopped for the famous local specialty, the Karatsu Burger!
We bought it from a cute retro food truck (a converted microbus)! The special burger — a crispy, toasty bun with gooey cheese, egg, patty, and special sauce all in perfect harmony — was a treat my son and I enjoyed together on a bench.
Karatsu Castle (Continued 100 Fine Castles of Japan)
- Time needed: about 1 hour
- Admission: adults ¥500 / elementary & junior high school students ¥250
- Highlights: from the keep, you get a panoramic view of the Genkai Sea and the Niji-no-Matsubara pine grove. The sea breeze is very strong, so the sense of height is thrilling.
Karatsu Kunchi Hikiyama Exhibition Hall
- Time needed: about 30 minutes
- Highlights: see up close the gorgeous hikiyama floats used in the Karatsu Kunchi festival, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. With floats shaped like the helmets of Takeda Shingen and Uesugi Kenshin and the famous sea bream float, my history-loving son was over the moon.
Local food: Ide Champon
Saga’s famous Ide Champon. When I confidently ordered a large serving, a mountain of vegetables beyond my imagination arrived. Even the regular size is more than enough, so be careful when ordering. Dad took over what my son couldn’t finish and ended up completely stuffed — another good memory of the trip.
5. [Day 3] Yoshinogari to Saga Castle
It’s about 30–40 minutes by car from Yoshinogari Historical Park to central Saga (the Prefectural Government Building and Saga Castle ruins).
Yoshinogari Historical Park (100 Fine Castles of Japan)
- Time needed: about 2 hours
- Access: about 5 minutes by car from Higashi-Sefuri IC on the Nagasaki Expressway. Large parking lot (¥310 for regular cars)
- Admission: adults ¥470 / free for junior high school students and younger
- Highlights: it’s actually one of the 100 Fine Castles of Japan. The grounds are huge, so if you’re tired from the previous days, the smart move is to ask a local guide for the must-see spots and tour efficiently. On hot days, get through it with Kyushu’s famous ice cream bar, Black Monblan. Goods featuring Mokeke (Yoshinogari version), the local mascot, also make great souvenirs.
Lunch: 13th-floor observation hall, Saga Prefectural Government Building
The top-floor observation hall was the right call. Not only can you see across the Saga Plain, but you can also clearly see the moats and layout of Saga Castle, where we were headed next. You can enjoy authentic Sicilian Rice — sweet-and-savory meat, crisp vegetables, and mayonnaise — together with the great view.
Saga Castle Ruins & Saga Castle History Museum (100 Fine Castles of Japan)
- Time needed: about 1 hour 45 minutes
- Parking: free parking available
- Admission: the Saga Castle History Museum runs on donations based on your satisfaction
- Highlights: the Saga Castle History Museum is one of Japan’s largest reconstructed wooden buildings, and its long tatami-matted corridor is impressive. Joining a local guided tour makes it even more enjoyable. My son showed off his knowledge — “The Bear of Hizen! Ryuzoji!” — and delighted the guide.
[Three-Generation Trip Side Story] Grandma’s “Just Stamp It for Me” Incident
On this trip, grandpa and grandma toured Fukuoka, Hizen-Nagoya, and Karatsu castles with us. Inspired by her grandson’s love of castles, grandma is now planning to visit castles all over Japan using perks from Otona no Kyujitsu Club (JR East’s travel club for seniors) and JRE BANK. On this trip she even bought her own 100 Fine Castles of Japan stamp book, declaring, “I can’t beat my grandson on knowledge, but I’ll beat him on the stamp book!”
(How to save on castle-touring transport costs with JRE BANK is covered in this article.)
But on day 3, she handed us her stamp book, saying, “I’m not going to Yoshinogari or Saga Castle, so just stamp it for me.” My 8-year-old son pressed her: “Wait, is it okay to stamp it if you don’t go? Does that count as visiting the castle?”
In the end, we stamped her book too, but we made her promise to visit the castles on her own two feet next time.
6. [Day 4] Hiroshima Castle to the Atomic Bomb Dome
It’s about 1 hour 7 minutes from Hakata Station to Hiroshima Station on the Nozomi Shinkansen. From Hiroshima Station, you can easily get to Hiroshima Castle and the Atomic Bomb Dome by streetcar and on foot.
Hiroshima Castle (100 Fine Castles of Japan)
- Time needed: about 45 minutes
- Access: about 15 minutes’ walk from Kamiyacho-higashi streetcar stop. Use paid parking nearby
- Admission: free to walk around the Ninomaru
- Note: the keep closed in March 2026. When we visited, the museum replacing the keep had not opened yet either. We had been looking forward to going inside the keep, so honestly, it was quite a disappointment.
- Highlights: even if you can’t enter the keep, you can go inside the Ninomaru buildings (such as the Omote Gomon gate and turrets), reconstructed as they looked in the Edo period, and enjoy the beauty of the wooden architecture and the moats. Check the latest opening status on the official website before you go.
Local food
- Lunch: Onomichi ramen near the soccer stadium (EDION Peace Wing Hiroshima). A deliciously indulgent bowl of soy sauce soup topped with big chunks of back fat.
Atomic Bomb Dome & Peace Memorial Park
- Time needed: about 1 hour 10 minutes
- Looking up at the Atomic Bomb Dome up close, our family felt the weight of history together. We rang the Peace Bell and prayed for peace alongside visitors from all over the world.
Local food: Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki at Takaya
Even while thinking “We’re full again…!”, we savored this superb okonomiyaki with its fragrant sauce and crispy noodles!
We got excited and ordered three, but they were authentic Hiroshima-size, loaded with cabbage and noodles! On top of that, my son left about half, so following the Ide Champon, Dad once again stepped in to finish it (lol).
7. [Day 5] Miyajima, Itsukushima Shrine & Heading Home
Miyajima & Itsukushima Shrine
- Time needed: about 3 hours
- Access: about 10 minutes by ferry from JR Miyajimaguchi Station
- Shrine admission: adults ¥300 / high school students ¥200 / elementary & junior high school students ¥100
- Highlights: the vermilion Great Torii that seems to float on the sea and the beautiful shrine buildings. Interacting with the deer and snacking on freshly baked momiji manju make it the perfect spot for the final day.
A trick for Shinkansen lunch
On the way back, we recommend getting takeout okonomiyaki from the famous Micchan Sohonten at Hiroshima Station. If you order by phone or online about 30 minutes before boarding, you can pick it up without waiting in line. We wrapped up the trip by enjoying this freshly made specialty on the Shinkansen.
8. Recommended Hotels as Bases for Castle Touring
Mercure Saga Karatsu Resort (Night 1 / Karatsu area)
Why we chose this hotel
After visiting Kokura and Fukuoka castles on day 1, we needed a “forward base” to head to Hizen-Nagoya and Karatsu castles first thing the next morning, and its location was perfect. The elegant Japanese-modern atmosphere, with gorgeous Japanese paintings on the ceiling and a stylish tea set, also lifted our travel mood.
Dad’s favorite points
- Location & access: a large parking lot makes it easy to reach by car, and it minimizes travel time to Hizen-Nagoya and Karatsu castles the next day.
- Large bath & sauna: being able to use the large bath and sauna from 6 a.m. was the best refresh. However, the sauna is a bit compact and the cold plunge is on the warm side, so it tended to become a playground for kids. If you want to relax quietly, try a different time slot.
- Mornings: enjoy a relaxing morning in a calm, Japanese-modern space.
Family check
There are a few manga in the hotel, and my 8-year-old son, who had just started reading ONE PIECE, got excited the moment he found them. The rooms are spacious, so the whole family can relax.
Booking tip
Resort hotels in the Karatsu area are limited, and bookings from families pile up on weekends and holidays. If you plan to visit Hizen-Nagoya and Karatsu castles from the morning, it’s safest to reserve a free-cancellation plan as soon as your dates are set.
Hilton Hiroshima (Night 4 / Hiroshima area)
Why we chose this hotel
Day 4 is when fatigue from days of castle walking and travel peaks. To recover our energy for Miyajima the next day, we chose a luxury hotel where we could check in right at 3 p.m. and really enjoy our time.
Dad’s favorite points
- Location & access: it’s in central Hiroshima, so Hiroshima Castle, Peace Memorial Park, and famous okonomiyaki restaurants are all very convenient.
- Indoor pool & sauna: the beautiful indoor pool has a sauna attached. Since the whole family can stay in the same area in swimsuits, Mom and Dad can take turns in the sauna while the kids play in the pool — the best part. With gender-separated public baths, you have to take the child out and hand them over to your partner, but here there’s no need. It was a wonderful time to loosen up our tired bodies.
- Evening fun: after dinner, we went to the hotel’s bar & lounge ZATTA. Luckily there was live music, and we enjoyed a luxurious evening of music and drinks with no cover charge.
Family check
The beds are big enough for the family to rest comfortably, and the rooms are quiet and pleasant. The indoor pool was a huge hit with my 8-year-old son, and the whole family spent the time with smiles.
Booking tip
Hilton Hiroshima, with its pool, is also popular as a base for sightseeing in Miyajima and tends to fill up early during holidays and peak seasons. Once you decide to stay in Hiroshima, secure a room with a free-cancellation plan first and work out the details later.
About nights 2 and 3
We stayed at great-grandma’s house in Kohoku, but if you’re booking accommodation for this route, Takeo Onsen or Ureshino Onsen make convenient bases, as both are within easy driving distance of Saga, Karatsu, and Yoshinogari. The hot springs will also soothe your castle-touring fatigue.
For sauna lovers: Rakan-no-Yu at Mifuneyama Rakuen Hotel
If you stay in Takeo, be sure to consider Rakan-no-Yu at Mifuneyama Rakuen Hotel. Known for the involvement of teamLab founder Toshiyuki Inoko, it’s a famous spot that sauna fans call “the best sauna in Japan.”
Dad has been there on a previous trip — you can roast marshmallows inside the sauna, and there are several saunas with different concepts. It was truly a place of healing for adults. We couldn’t stop by on this trip, but if you’re basing yourself in Takeo, it’s also a great place to recover after a day of castle walking.
*Check the official website for the latest terms of use (such as use by non-guests and children).
9. FAQ
Q. Can you do this route without a car?
A. Kokura Castle, Fukuoka Castle, Saga Castle, Hiroshima Castle, and Miyajima can be reached by train and on foot. Hizen-Nagoya Castle and Yoshinogari are in the suburbs, so a car makes things much smoother. Renting a car only for the day you tour the Karatsu area is one option.
Q. Isn’t a 5-day castle tour with kids exhausting?
A. The trick is to limit yourself to two or three castles a day and mix in time kids enjoy, like hotel pools, large baths, and local food. Our 8-year-old son had fun and stayed energetic to the very end.
Q. How many of the 100 Fine Castles can you visit on this route?
A. Seven in total: five of Japan’s 100 Fine Castles (Fukuoka, Hizen-Nagoya, Yoshinogari, Saga, Hiroshima) and two of the Continued 100 Fine Castles (Kokura, Karatsu). The stamp locations for each castle are covered in the individual castle articles.
10. Summary
This castle-hopping trip through the 100 Fine Castles from northern Kyushu to Hiroshima and Miyajima was a highly satisfying route packed with history, hearty local food, and comfortable hotel stays. It became a three-generation trip with grandpa and grandma, with the happy bonus of grandma starting her own 100 Fine Castles stamp collection.
Popular areas and hotels fill up fast, so once your plans are set, prepare early and head out on a castle-touring trip with your family!
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