2026kyushu– tag –

We visited Miyajima and Itsukushima Shrine with our 8-year-old son: about 1 hour on the island, about 3 hours including the round trip. Ferry fares, the Miyajima Visitor Tax, shrine admission, deer and crab spotting for kids, and Taikō no Chikara-mochi — a bonus stop on our Kyushu & Hiroshima castle tour.

Hiroshima Castle (Japan's Top 100 Castles No. 73) closed its keep on March 22, 2026, but the free reconstructed Ninomaru buildings and the moat are still open, and we got the Top 100 Castles stamp right in front of the keep. About 45 minutes; access and highlights from a family's point of view.

We visited Nagoya Castle in Saga (Japan's Top 100 Castles No. 87) with our 8-year-old son. Said to have been laid out by Kuroda Kanbei, it gathered the Sengoku all-stars. The ruins and museum took about 2.5 hours; the stamp is at the free Nagoya Castle Museum. Not to be confused with Nagoya Castle in Aichi.

We visited Saga Castle (100 Fine Castles of Japan No.89) with our 8-year-old son. The History Museum is free (donations welcome), and we spent about 1 hr 45 min with a guide. The stamp is at reception — plus parking tips and a history quiz for kids.

We visited Fukuoka Castle (100 Fine Castles of Japan No.85) with our 8-year-old son. There is no keep, so the highlights are the view from the keep foundation and the turrets. We stayed about 1 hour. Access from Ohorikoen Station, parking fees, and where to get the stamp.

We visited Yoshinogari Historical Park (100 Fine Castles of Japan No.88) with our 8-year-old son. It takes about 2 hours (a free guide talk is about 15 min), and the stamp is near the entrance ticket counter. Parking, admission, and highlights like the V-shaped moats and pit dwellings.

We visited Karatsu Castle (Continued 100 Fine Castles of Japan No.185) with our 8-year-old son. The stamp is right next to the keep's ticket counter, and a visit takes about 1 hour. Enjoy views of Karatsu Bay and Niji-no-Matsubara, plus parking, admission and elevator fees.

We visited Kokura Castle (Continued 100 Fine Castles of Japan No.181) with our 8-year-old son. Plan on about 1 hr 20 min. A 15-minute walk from JR Kokura Station: parking, admission, and kid-friendly highlights like the yabusame game and the Ganryujima photo spot.

A 5-day, 4-night family itinerary from Tokyo covering 7 castles in Fukuoka, Saga, and Hiroshima (Kokura, Fukuoka, Hizen-Nagoya, Karatsu, Yoshinogari, Saga, Hiroshima) plus Miyajima, with timetable, transport, hotels, and local food.