Fukuoka Castle Ruins - Fukuoka, Japan
Fukuoka Castle Ruins are, as the name suggests, mostly ruins spread throughout Maizuru Park. The park takes its name from Maizuru Castle, which is another name for Fukuoka Castle. At its height, it was once the largest castle in Kyushu, but much of it was dismantled during the Meiji Restoration.
The castle was originally built in the early 17th century by Kuroda Nagamasa. He was appointed lord of the Chikuzen feudal domain—covering much of present-day Fukuoka Prefecture—as a reward for his support of Tokugawa Ieyasu during the Battle of Sekigahara. While very little of the original structure remains, the scale of the grounds gives a sense of how imposing the castle must have been.
Although there isn’t much left of the castle itself, fragments of stone walls are scattered throughout the park. Several areas are marked with signs indicating what once stood there. A few gates, a gate tower, and sections of the moat have survived, but otherwise the space now functions much like a city park.
I wandered through the grounds, occasionally stopping to read the information boards to understand what had once occupied each section. When I reached the area where the main keep once stood, I found that parts of the stone foundation are still intact. The city has built ramps around the site, turning it into an observation area. From here, there are excellent views overlooking the surrounding city.
I had heard that Maizuru Park becomes extremely popular in spring due to the cherry blossoms. Several pathways are lined with sakura trees, creating tunnels of flowers when in bloom. I visited in early March, when there were minimal flowers and no blossoms yet. Many of the trees were still bare, but it wasn’t difficult to imagine how impressive the park would look during peak bloom.
After exploring the castle ruins, I walked over to nearby Ohori Park. The large pond there once formed part of Fukuoka Castle’s outer moat system. Constructed between 1926 and 1929, the park was designed in the classical garden style inspired by West Lake in China and has since become one of the city’s most popular spots for walking and photography.
History & Background
Fukuoka Castle (福岡城) was constructed in the early Edo period and served as the political and military centre of the Chikuzen Domain. Built by Kuroda Nagamasa, the castle played a key role in establishing Tokugawa control in northern Kyushu following the Battle of Sekigahara.
During the Meiji Restoration, many feudal castles across Japan were dismantled as symbols of the old shogunate system. Fukuoka Castle was no exception, and most of its wooden structures were removed or destroyed. Today, the remaining stone walls, gates, and moats offer insight into the castle’s original layout, while Maizuru Park preserves the site as a public green space and historical landmark.
Getting There
Fukuoka Castle Ruins are located within Maizuru Park in central Fukuoka City. From Hakata Station, take a local bus to Ohori Park Bus Stop, then walk approximately 10 minutes to the park entrance. Alternatively, the site is accessible by subway via Ohori Koen Station or Akasaka Station, both within walking distance of the ruins.
Route Overview
Distance: 1.6 km out & back (Ohori Park Bus Stop)
Total elevation gain: 7 m
Duration: 20 min (with breaks 30 min)
Difficulty: Easy
Cost Breakdown
Bus: Hakata Station → Ohori Park Bus Stop — ¥260
Food: ¥120
