Shibushi Castle

A mountain castle built on a shirasu (volcanic ash) plateau overlooking Shibushi Bay in Satsuma Province, consisting of four interconnected fortifications: Uchijo, Matsuo Castle, Takashiro Castle, and Shinjō Castle. During the Kamakura period, when Shimazu Tadahisa was appointed jitō of Satsuma, Ōsumi, and Hyūga provinces, Shinjitsuru Castle controlled this port. Subsequently, under Shinjitsuru clan rule, Shibushi Port developed as a major trading hub for Satsuma and Ōsumi. However, in the early 16th century, caught in internal Shimazu power struggles, the Shinjitsuru clan was destroyed by the Shimazu in 1538. Following this, the Shimazu brought Shibushi under direct control and administered it briefly, but in 1562, taking advantage of the Shimazu's decline, the Kimotsuki clan seized it. In 1576–1577, the Shimazu reclaimed the castle and appointed Kamata Masachika as jitō. The castle comprised multiple independent fortified outposts, defended by dry moats arranged in four tiers and two parallel rows of linear dry moats. Under the Edo period's One Castle per Province edict, it was abandoned in 1615. In 2017, it was designated one of Japan's 100 Famous Castles - Continuation Selection.