Shimabara Samurai Residences
島原武家屋敷街
A street of lower-ranking samurai residences northwest of Shimabara Castle, with a clear water channel running down the middle between stone walls. Three former houses are free to enter.
The Samurai Residences district lies about 500 meters northwest of Shimabara Castle, in Teppo-machi, which in the Edo period was home to lower-ranking samurai armed with guns. The roughly 400-meter street has a living water channel fed by spring water running down its center, flanked by stone walls and hedges that preserve the atmosphere of the Edo period. It has been named one of Japan’s 100 Scenic Landscapes. The Yamamoto, Shinozuka and Torida Residences are free to visit, and show the layouts and daily items of samurai households. Opening hours are roughly 09:00 to 17:00. It is about a 10-minute walk from Shimabara Castle and about 15 minutes from Shimabara Station. Combine it with Shimabara Castle and the carp streets for a half-day walking route.
Opening hours
Approx. 09:00–17:00 (old residence open)
Nearby sights
- Shimabara Castle
- Shimabara Carp Streets & Shimeiso Garden
- Mt. Unzen Disaster Memorial Hall
- Mount Fugen
- Nita Pass & Unzen Ropeway
- Unzen Jigoku & Unzen Onsen
- Obama Onsen
- Hara Castle Ruins