Hirado Castle Stay and High-End Seafood Experience

Hirado Castle Stay in the Kaiju Turret

Picture courtesy of Booking.com

Hirado Castle, also known as Kameoka Castle, sits atop a hill overlooking the scenic Hirado Strait. Completed in 1718, it is renowned for its unique construction based on Sun Tzu's The Art of War and the rare Yamaga-ryu architectural style.

Although it was dismantled during the Meiji period under the Castle Abolition Decree, its five-story main keep was faithfully restored in 1962 and is now recognized as one of Japan's Top 100 Castles.

Today, the castle offers a truly exclusive experience: the Kaiju Turret on the castle grounds has been renovated into a luxury lodging facility. Hosting just one group of guests per day, it is the first castle in Japan to open its doors for overnight stays.

Castle Lord for a Day: Lodging at Hirado Castle Kaiju Turret

Picture courtesy of jimmy cohrssen

The Kaiju Yagura is a two-story retreat featuring an interior inspired by the lavish aesthetics of the Momoyama and Edo periods (the 16th to 19th centuries, known for stunning samurai-era art).

The design centers around vibrant murals painted by acclaimed Kyushu artist Takahide Komatsu.

By blending local cultural elements with high-end modern art, this historic turret has been transformed into a sophisticated, one-of-a-kind accommodation.

Picture courtesy of jimmy cohrssen

Dining and staying in this stunning, history-steeped spot instantly makes you feel like the "Castle Lord for a Day."

Picture courtesy of jimmy cohrssen

Immersed in this rich cultural ambiance, you can savor exquisite meals crafted from Hirado’s finest seasonal ingredients while gazing out over the picturesque Hirado Port.

Picture courtesy of Booking.com

Because the castle is surrounded by the sea on three sides, you can enjoy soothing, panoramic ocean views right from your guest room’s bathroom window.

Picture courtesy of jimmy cohrssen

To truly bring the "Castle Lord" experience to life, Hirado Castle offers a curated selection of cultural activities, including a traditional tea ceremony, Bushido (the way of the warrior), horseback riding, and kimono fitting.

Guests can also witness a private performance of Hirado Kagura, a sacred ritual dance with a thousand-year history that is recognized as a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property.

Immersing yourself in these timeless traditions offers a profound connection to Hirado’s heritage, making your castle stay exceptionally fulfilling.

For details, visit the official website of the Hirado Castle Stay.

Try the Seafood Delicacies of Hirado

Picture courtesy of Hirado City

If you visit Hirado during the autumn or winter, you can elevate your castle stay with the ultimate luxury seafood experience.

From November through December, the city hosts the Hirado Longtooth Grouper Festival (Hirado Kue Matsuri). Hirado is one of Japan's premier habitats for kue, a rare delicacy that is almost exclusively wild-caught due to the immense difficulty of farming them.

During these colder months, the fish is at its finest—firm, rich in collagen, and deeply flavorful. While kue typically commands premium prices in luxury establishments, this festival allows visitors to enjoy it affordably.

Prepared locally with minimal seasoning to let the natural quality shine, it can be enjoyed as sashimi, salt-grilled, or as a hot pot. The latter is so highly regarded that it is affectionately known as the "King of Hot Pot" and considered the ultimate fish dish.

Picture courtesy of Hiradi City

Beyond its famous grouper, the coastal city of Hirado is also celebrated nationwide for its pristine wild flounder. The prime season to experience this delicacy runs annually from mid-January through March, when the fish are at their finest.

Hirado’s baseline catch starts at a hefty 1 kilogram, with massive "heavyweight" flounder sometimes reaching up to 5 kilograms!

As one of the few regions in Japan where wild flounder is caught, Hirado takes immense pride in its winter harvest—known locally as Kan-birame (cold flounder)—which is exceptionally plump and flavorful.

To celebrate, the city hosts the annual Hirado Flounder Festival (Hirado Hirame Matsuri). During the event, local hotels and restaurants showcase an array of delectable dishes, from delicate flounder sashimi and nigiri sushi to comforting hot pots—all served at peak freshness and at surprisingly reasonable prices.

If you are visiting Hirado in the late winter, this is a culinary highlight you won't want to miss.

For details on these seafood events and recommended restaurants, please visit the official tourism website of Hirado City.

Enjoy Exploring Hirado

While authentic farm stays have surged in popularity in recent years, today's travelers are increasingly seeking out even more distinctive, one-of-a-kind accommodations when visiting Japan.

The exclusive "Castle Stay" experience at Hirado Castle is a great example of this trend. Although Hirado is tucked away and takes a bit of extra effort to reach, this charming harbor city is a hidden gem well worth a multi-day stay to thoroughly explore and enjoy.