Shimabara Castle Town

島原城

Shimabara Castle is surrounded by well-preserved houses for the lower-ranking samurai who served the local ruler. One of these neighborhoods is known as Teppo-machi, “Gun Town”, for the infantry soldiers who once lived there, and the straight, narrow streets like the barrel of a rifle. The streets have water channels to provide clean spring water to the community. You can visit three restored samurai houses in Teppo-machi for a glimpse into the way these soldiers lived. Shimeiso House is the most beautiful, with rooms that open onto a garden and a pond full of colorful carp.