Aya Castle Miyazaki Prefecture

Aya Castle Miyazaki Prefecture 綾城

Aya Castle is located in the middle of Miyazaki Prefecture, 20 km west of Miyazaki city in Kyushu, Japan's southern-most of its four main islands. The original castle (Aya-jo) is believed to have dated from the 14th century and was named after Koshiro Yoshito aka "Aya".

Aya Castle Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan

History

During the Sengoku ("Warring States") period of Japanese history the castle was lost to the Shimazu clan based in Kagoshima to the south in 1577. However not much later in 1615, the Tokugawa regime's policy of "One Country, One Castle" meant that the castle was demolished. The present keep (tenshu) was rebuilt in 1985 using original plans. It houses a museum displaying samurai armor, weapons and Edo and early period historical documents. Visitors to the castle in Miyazaki Prefecture may also like to visit the Miyazaki Science Center (Cosmoland), the Miyazaki Prefectural Museum of Nature and History and Miyazaki Prefectural Art Museum.

Access - Getting There

Aya Castle 1012 Kitamata Aya-machi Higashi-Shoken-gun Miyazaki 880-1302 Tel: 0985 77 1223 Hours: April-September 9 am - 5.30 pm; October-March 9 am - 5 pm; The castle is closed over the New Year period Admission: 350 yen for adults Take a bus one hour from JR Minami-Miyazaki Station to Aya-Machiaiba Bus Stop (approximately 1 hour). The castle is then a 20-minute walk from there. Other attractions in Miyazaki in Kyushu include Miyazaki Culture Park and Sun Messe Miyazaki.

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